The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [306]
After each crossing he expected Greene to make a stand, that finally the rebels would have had their fill of the unending retreat. But Greene pushed on, and when the rebels reached Guilford Court House, the two wings of Greene’s army united. But even then, Greene did not stop, drove his men northward, and Cornwallis knew now that the rebels intended to march all the way to Virginia. Cornwallis could only continue the pursuit because he had no good alternative. He pushed the column toward the last barrier out of North Carolina, the Dan River, thought, Surely, now we will find him. But Greene had planned well, and the Dan was no different than the rivers before. There were boats as well, and merely twelve hours before Cornwallis reached the Dan, the last of Greene’s army was landed on the northern banks, safely across the river.
As Cornwallis stood on the banks of the Dan staring into Virginia, it was a miserable reminder of Trenton, the enemy escaping him beyond the Delaware River. He was as exhausted as his men, took no comfort from the thought that Greene would be worn-out as well.
It was called a victory for the British and would cause celebration in London, would garner congratulations from Clinton and Germain. For the first time since the start of the war, not one continental soldier stood on Carolina soil. But Cornwallis did not celebrate. For now he truly understood Greene’s plan. Cornwallis’ army was barely two thousand strong, the men brutally punished by the extraordinary march. Their grand parade uniforms were as ragged as the clothes of the rebels, their newly soled shoes worn away again, their horses emaciated and sick. And, worse, the soldiers were starving. Greene had surrendered the Carolinas, and in the process had nearly destroyed Cornwallis’ army.
51. GREENE
FEBRUARY 1781
HE HAD NOT INTENDED TO RETREAT AS FAR AS VIRGINIA. ALL ALONG the extraordinary march, he had sent letters to von Steuben, requesting that the Prussian send down the new recruits he had raised in northern Virginia. But von Steuben had a crisis of his own, a considerable surprise in the person of General Benedict Arnold, now a brigadier in service to King George. Arnold commanded a force of twelve hundred men who had landed at Yorktown. Soon they had pushed hard up the Virginia peninsula, causing panic in Richmond. The influence of Thomas Jefferson had forced von Steuben to keep his recruits close at hand. Even if von Steuben had more men than he might require, the Virginia recruits had little interest in marching south to join a distant fight in the Carolinas when the danger to their own homes was so immediate.
With his men safely on the north banks of the Dan River, Greene began to deal with the miserable condition of his troops. Clothing was scarce, the men marching in rags, much as Greene had seen throughout the campaigns in New Jersey. Shoes were scarcer still, and most of the continental regulars were once again barefoot.
For all the difficulties he faced, the one most personal to Greene was the failing health of the man who was the most capable subordinate in his command.
I CANNOT REPLACE YOU, DANIEL.”
“That’s probably so, Nat. But beggin’ won’t help. I can’t do this, not anymore. It near kills me just to climb on my horse.”
Greene sat slumped in his small camp chair, could see Morgan twisted slightly, the man’s broad shoulders curled forward. Even hunched over, Morgan seemed to fill the tent. Greene saw the man’s face clamped tight, no sign of the mischievous smile, could see sweat on the man’s brow.
“You’re hurting. You have some spirits?”
Morgan shook his head.
“Won’t matter. Can’t climb my horse drunk or sober. And it’s a long ride. Probably better I can see straight. Don’t need to be falling off my saddle.” He paused. “I