The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [67]
He expected the word to impress Washington, saw instead no change in expression, and Washington said, “If you were General Howe, and I described to you such a place as you have just done, what would be your response?”
Greene thought a moment, felt a cold hole opening in his mind. He knew the answer already, but he didn’t want to say the words. Washington tilted his head now, still questioning, waiting for him to respond.
“If I was General Howe, I would say . . .” He paused. “We cannot allow the enemy to possess such a place. We must have that ground.”
Washington said nothing, looked again at the fire. Greene studied him, thought, He wants to withdraw.
“Sir, if it is your decision that we abandon Fort Washington . . .”
Washington looked at him again, shook his head, said, “What I may wish is not as important as the wishes of congress. Mr. Greene, I believe we are in a perilous situation here. But the congress believes the peril lies more in the morale of the people, the willingness of this nation to support this war. If we continue to withdraw and retreat, giving ground at every confrontation, there is no doubt in congress that this war shall end itself. We might never have the resources to make another fight, might never face the enemy in battle. The nation might simply dissolve beneath us. The message from congress is that this ground not be abandoned except in the case of the most dire emergency. There was considerable unhappiness that New York fell to the British with such ease. Many in Philadelphia wonder if their city is to be next. What do I tell them, Mr. Greene?”
He could feel a sudden weight, a piece of the responsibility that Washington carried shifting to him.
“Sir, I would ask you to visit Fort Washington. I believe you will share my confidence. We should not withdraw.”
Washington did not look at him, and Greene couldn’t tell what the man was thinking. Washington began to shake his head, said, “Not tonight. I will return to Hackensack, see to the camps of my men. They must be prepared to move at a moment’s notice should General Howe show a sudden urge to march to Philadelphia. Once the troops are in good order, I will return. General Howe has been extremely gracious about biding his time. Perhaps he will do so again.”
NOVEMBER 16, 1776
The British had done as Greene feared, had sent flatboats up past the barricades by night, landing troops north of the King’s Bridge. Those troops were now protected by British frigates, anchored both north and south of the two forts. All along the high cliffs of the Hudson, and across the northern tip of Manhattan, Greene’s scouts reported considerable movement from every direction, more flatboats in the Harlem River, massed columns on the march from the south, moving up from below Harlem Heights.
Washington had returned, along with Putnam, and Greene had his boat transport them across the Hudson at first light, avoiding the danger from the British frigates. They gathered now at the Morris House, a grand home abandoned by its British owner. The house stood beside the Post Road, on a bluff that overlooked the Harlem River, the house itself considered safely inside the colonial lines. Magaw had come down from Fort Washington, brought a mood that was nearly festive, but Greene knew that Washington was no longer buoyed by the confident talk. If the British were indeed moving against the colonial fortifications, Washington would see their strength for himself.
The house had been preserved with some care, surprising, considering that its owner was a British officer. The commanders actually had chairs, the furniture mostly intact, but the staffs quickly discovered the house would provide no breakfast. The pantry was quite empty.
Greene acknowledged Magaw with a solid handshake, more respectful than the typical formality. Washington waited patiently for the cordiality to pass, said, “I have been informed, Colonel Magaw, that the British have demanded the surrender