The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [39]
Howe pointed out toward the river now, said aloud, “The remainder of the army is en route. We should have them all ashore here by this evening.” He focused on the commanders now, said, “I take some pleasure in this, gentlemen. There is nothing as satisfying as a victory. By nightfall, we shall be in full strength, and shall march upon the enemy once again. This was, dare I say, a splendid operation. Splendid. London will only be pleased.”
Couriers were gathering, more reports emerging from what little fighting there had been, mostly all in the woods. Cornwallis saw a senior officer approaching, a staff close behind, and the man seemed agitated, bursting with words. Cornwallis knew the man, John Vaughan, moving with a pronounced limp from a leg wound he had received on Long Island.
“Sir! Excuse me, General Howe!” Vaughan acknowledged Clinton and Cornwallis with a crisp nod, and said to Howe, “General, Colonel von Donop has taken his troops southward toward the city. I was not aware you had given this order, sir. My command has secured the heights around the Murray mansion, as ordered, and was awaiting further instruction, when we learned that the left flank was exposed by Colonel von Donop’s march.”
Vaughan seemed to run out of breath. Howe glanced at Clinton, said, “I gave no specific order to extend our position. However, Colonel von Donop enjoys the full confidence of General de Heister, and I am certain he saw a particular opportunity. It is probably a wise strategy to establish a strong front near the city, to prevent the rebels from assaulting us from that quarter.” He looked at Clinton.
“Don’t you agree, General?”
“If the commanding general deems it proper to allow the Hessians to proceed with their own plan, then I have no objection.” There was no emotion in Clinton’s voice, and Howe seemed to ignore him. Vaughan found his energy again, said, “Sir, we have made every attempt to engage the rebels, without success. I deeply regret, sir, we have been unable to catch up to them.”
All eyes were on Vaughan now, and there were small laughs, Vaughan himself still not getting the joke.
Clinton was not smiling, said, “General Vaughan, it is probably best you call your men back into a stable position. It is clear the rebels have offered you the field. I suggest you accept it.”
Vaughan still seemed frustrated. Howe thought for a moment, said, “General Vaughan, you said we are in possession of the Murray mansion. Are the inhabitants present?”
Vaughan seemed deflated now. “Well, um, yes, sir. I spoke to Mrs. Murray myself. There was concern within the household about their safety, but I gave assurances no harm would come to them.”
Howe smiled, put his hands together.
“Yes, excellent. We should go there. I am well acquainted with the Murrays. Fine hosts, staunch loyalists. We should offer them some comfort. No doubt, they have been subjected to considerable abuse by the rebels.”
Howe moved to his horse, climbed up, said to Clinton, “You are invited, certainly, and General Cornwallis as well. Do make haste. For a wonderful day such as this, some refreshment is in order, and seeing that it is near the noon hour, perhaps in their gratefulness they will provide a hearty meal.”
Howe was moving away, and Cornwallis looked at Vaughan, saw a look of distress spreading on the man’s face.
“General Vaughan, I’m certain you are invited as well. General Howe did not mean to exclude you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Vaughan looked at Clinton now, said, “Sir, I believe we have considerable work yet in front of us. We observed a large number of rebels retreating to the north, and I would suspect that General Washington is gathering the greater part of his army in that quarter, along our right flank.”
Clinton was still watching Howe’s departure, the last of his staff now disappearing into the woods. Other officers had begun to gather, and Cornwallis