The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [68]
The mood was immediately somber, and Magaw’s smile was gone now. He said, “Yes, sir. Yesterday, a British officer under a flag of truce delivered a letter from General Howe. It stated plainly that if we did not lay down our arms, my men would be put to the sword.” He paused, and Washington seemed to wait. Greene asked, “Your response, Colonel?”
“Why, sir, as you know, I informed General Howe that I would defend this post to the last extremity.” Greene could see the expression on Magaw’s face, disbelief that he could have offered any other response.
Washington nodded slowly, said, “Your strength then, Colonel?”
Magaw glanced at Greene, said, “With the reinforcements sent over by General Greene, sir, we have near three thousand.”
Greene caught a quick look from Washington, knew the word would stick in the commander’s mind, reinforcements. If they were not to withdraw, Greene knew he had to strengthen Magaw’s force, increase even more the commitment to hold the ground. Otherwise, there was simply too much ground to defend. Washington said slowly, “I have been hearing assurances, Colonel, that you control the strongest fortifications we have yet defended. You have stated to General Greene that you believe you can hold Fort Washington and these hills until the end of the year. Am I correct?”
“I believe so, sir.” Greene was surprised to see uncertainty on Magaw’s face, the confidence suddenly fading. Magaw looked down for a moment, then at Greene, and said, “However, I must report with considerable regret, sir. My adjutant, Mr. Demont . . . seems to have . . . deserted.”
There was a hard silence, and Washington leaned forward and said, “Your adjutant?”
“Yes, sir.” Magaw was nervous now, seemed to avoid looking at Greene, who felt a growing chill.
Greene could not hold it back, the words flowing toward Magaw with black anger. “Are you telling us, Colonel, that the man who assisted you in preparations for this defense, the man who knows well the entire arrangement of these fortifications, that this man is now in the service of the British?”
Magaw seemed resigned to the obvious, said, “Well, sir, we don’t know that for certain. But he did cross through the lines. We would have to assume that General Howe would appreciate his knowledge.”
Greene felt his mind clouding, all the good design, all the work, possibly swept away by one man’s betrayal. Washington sat back in his chair, said nothing, the room now under a pall of silence. Greene was watching him, wanted to say something, to bring back the confidence. It was still a strong position. Demont’s betrayal would not change that.
The silence was broken by a roar of sound, and the door was thrust open, staff officers appearing. “Sir! The British!”
The men were all up and outside in a quick step, and Greene could see up a long rise, a line of troops, the sudden echo of bagpipe music. In the distance there were more sounds, the rolling thunder of artillery. To the south, where Magaw’s men held strong earthworks, a battle began to rise toward them, smoke and musket fire. Greene looked for Magaw, who was already moving away, and Magaw shouted toward Washington, “Sir! I shall return to the fort!”
Musket balls began to punch the ground around them, popping the side of the house, and Greene could see the Highlanders moving down the hill, not toward them but farther down, toward a line of men emerging from below. Greene could see them now, Baxter’s men, Pennsylvanians, a tight line, volleys going in both directions, the ground blanketed by smoke. The Morris House was empty now, and men were pulling Washington away. Greene pointed the way, guard troops waving them on, leading the officers to a trail, which cut through the hills toward the Hudson. Greene knew his boat was waiting for them, moved up close to Washington, the sounds of the fight behind them. No one spoke, Putnam huffing his way, the other men flanking Washington, protecting him. Out in front of him, Greene could hear more big guns, the sounds blending with the fight erupting on all sides. It was the