The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [29]
There were nods, low murmurs of approval, and Cornwallis kept his eye on the admiral, could see a glow of self-satisfaction. Lord Howe continued, “As you know, the ministry has given to General Howe and myself the power to grant amnesty to anyone who wishes to receive it, assuming of course that those persons agree to end hostility to the king. To be frank, no one in this command believed that their congress would take heed of this suggestion. However, we feel that the events of the past two weeks have had an impact. Not only have we utterly defeated Mr. Washington’s little army, but his evacuation of Long Island has indicated in the strongest light that he has no intention of putting himself at risk again.” He raised his wineglass. “I offer a salute to my brother, General Howe, for his extraordinary success in persuading the rebels to take to their boats.”
Pleasantries passed around the table, and Cornwallis tried to feel the spirit, thought, of course, It has to be the rationale. We are, in fact, happy that Washington’s army escaped. Lord Howe waited for the toast to conclude, made the appropriate nod to his brother, said, “It is highly likely that the rebel congress will see their situation differently now. Prospects for peace have never been greater. Mr. Sullivan has conveyed this message to his congress, along with means of discussing terms of a general peace. I have agreed to meet with anyone whom their congress wishes to send. They have wisely consented to this, and I am most pleased to inform you that a meeting on this subject will take place in a few days.”
Cornwallis knew of the ministry’s authorization, granting Lord Howe the power to deal directly with congress as a peace commissioner. What that actually meant, no one was sure, except Lord Howe himself. Cornwallis had no idea how the Continental Congress would respond to such an offer. But as the men around the table made their toasts of congratulation, Cornwallis tried to see past the words. Had Washington been bypassed, considered by Lord Howe to be irrelevant? Cornwallis knew now he had been wrong about Washington’s army simply dissolving away. They were digging in, creating fortifications along the East River, all the way up to the mouth of the Harlem River. And the artillery was still in place on the southern tip of the island, guarding the access to the Hudson River. Whatever army Washington has left, he is certainly prepared to make another fight. Their retreat from Brooklyn Heights might have been a defeat, but it was not enough to end a war. Obviously Washington knows that, and just as surely, their congress will agree.
He raised his glass automatically, did not hear the words, General Howe returning the favor to his brother, offering meaningless praise for the admiral’s diplomatic triumph. Cornwallis avoided the faces, thought, They might actually believe that this peace commission will find a way to end this war.
As he had sailed westward from England, he had nurtured a fantasy that his duty on this side of the Atlantic would be brief, that he might return home after one decisive battle, enjoying complete optimism that no band of rebels could stand up against the might of the king’s forces. The embarrassment at Charleston had sent the dream far back in his mind, and now, he felt the gloom returning, the dream erased altogether. He thought of the flatboats, waiting in the harbor. So now they will sit idly by, will not be loaded until Lord Howe has his diplomatic meeting. And in New York, the rebels will continue to build their works and fortify their position, while once again, we delay.
5. FRANKLIN
SEPTEMBER 11, 1776
THEY HAD SPENT THE NIGHT IN BRUNSWICK, RISING EARLY TO COMPLETE the final part of the journey from Philadelphia. The confirmation had come from