“You said yourself the war has only begun. The fools in Richmond are responsible. Ever since Bull Run, the information they have released leads one to believe this war is nearly over until the whole South now believes it is true. They have created a delusion that is fast depleting our ranks. We have the lack of capable leadership in Richmond and even in the field. I ask you, General, what will be our fate when hordes from the North sweep down in a few months?”
“General, what would you suggest or do to correct this error?” asked Lee.
“First I would appoint a commander in chief for our armies. Then, I would give him unrestricted power to act, pursue, and direct the war using military principles” was Jackson’s prompt reply. “I would enact a law or make some provision to provide men, supplies, and equipment for our armies. Establish a quartermaster corps commanded by a high-ranking officer from the field.”
“Once again you are right, Tom, but who would want such a great responsibility and who would have these qualifications?” asked Lee.
“I know I am right,” answered Jackson. “There is only one man in the South that could unify the Confederate Army. Robert, you are that man.”
Lee promptly stood up. Raising his hands, he protested, “No—no—no. This time you are wrong, General. You are all wrong. It is my sincere opinion that you are the man. You fill the requirements better than I or any other man in the South. This is my true feeling and not flattery. Evidently you have thoroughly thought this out and know how the chain of command should perform.”
“Wait—wait—no! No! No!” Waving his hands, shaking his head, Jackson’s voice appearing to reflect a tone of anger. “When I am in the field, I can plan and manage a campaign and even fight the battle. But I would not and could not handle the delegation that the command would require. You are the man—you are the only man the South has that could plan, organize, and make it work.”
“You always underestimate yourself, General. You are too modest. You sell yourself to the public and superiors for less than your achievements and ability. I admire you for it,” said General Lee. “They need to know how you command and your conquests. It has worked in reverse for me. The public and Richmond have expected miracles from me. Instead, upon their orders, I am returning from Western Virginia defeated and a great disappointment to the South. You know success was impossible because of Richmond and their halfhearted decisions. But the people of the South don’t know or understand my defeat. They will never understand because the Southern press continually fills their print with thrusts, lies, and cutting words of criticism. Do you think the people would accept a man who the press shows as a failure?”
“Yes, I do,” interrupted Jackson. “If you let them know who really was responsible for the failure of the Western campaign. Instead, you choose not to explain or answer your critics. Sure, the mudslinging of the press is a shame. It’s unpardonable. It’s without excuse and in ignorance on the part of those who write and print it. Unless you rebut and expose those who ordered your retreat, then let it go, forget it. Western Virginia is lost to the South. It is my home. It hurts me greatly, but the people there will have to pay the price for their disloyalty.
“I’ve known you personally and intimately for over twenty years, and I would be willing to follow you to the ends of the world. The facts will come out. The lies of the press will soon blow over. In spite of everything that has been printed and anything that has been said, the South, down deep in its heart, still loves you and will depend upon your strong leadership before this war is over. You may as well get ready to take command. It’s coming and sooner than any of us may think.”
There was silence. General Lee’s eyes filled with tears, and he bit his lip in choking back his emotions.
“I understand you are going to the coast soon?” questioned Jackson.
“Yes,” replied Lee. “Jeff Davis has requested that I go to Charleston and see what can be done to strengthen our coastal defenses.”
“You could be of greater service here in the valley,” answered Jackson. “The change of scenery and assignment will be good for you. The warmer temperature will help your body and mind. You’ll be back by spring. Something, maybe instinct, tells me you will be back and take command by spring. I’m so sure, I would like to go over some important facts that I have collected and show you a plan I have formulated for a spring campaign. It is only a rough draft. It requires your knowledge to work out the details. I have gone as far as I can.”
Reaching into the inside pocket of his coat, he removed a packet and then carefully selected from it the papers he wanted.
“Here, I have made two copies,” Jackson said, as he unfolded the papers. “One is for you and the other for me. I want you to take them to Charleston with you, study them, and let me know your thoughts.”
He unfolded the papers and laid one on the table before General Lee, the other he folded and laid to one side.
“Tom, the drawings are professional,” said Lee.
“I have gone as far as I can go,” replied Jackson. “But my whole plan centers around carrying this war to the enemy—I suggest we invade the North in the spring. Here, let me explain it to you.”
The two great men discussed the draft in detail for a short time, which seemed like an eternity to Andy. When they finished, General Lee folded his copy and placed it inside his coat pocket. Then he blew out all but one candle, which they used to light the way to their rooms.
Andy heard them wishing each a good night, but his thoughts were on the chart left on the table. There was the information he needed—left behind and forgotten. The chart and other information he had gathered along the way would definitely clear him if he could escape and deliver this information to the North.
He moved silently down the stairs, slipped through the door, and began feeling over the table surface for the papers. As his hands made contact, he heard two voices, he froze, but soon discovered that they were from two guards outside. Cautiously he retreated through the door into the hallway. Steadily he eased up the stairway and back into his room.
He was glad when he didn’t waken Molly. He knew where there were paper and quill. It was hard to write in the dark, but he wrote:
My dear wife:
Even my love for you will not let me endure what I may face in Richmond, and I cannot compromise my convictions. I have decided that it is best for me to escape. I will make my way to the Northern lines. Wait for me until the war is over. I will come to you in Richmond. If you are not there, I will come to the Pines. As sure as there is a God in heaven, I will come back to you. With all my love.
He picked up his hat and slipped back through the door, where he gathered up his boots, and moved silently down the stairs and to the window at the end of the hallway. A soft breeze passed through the half-opened window. There was no moon, but the stars appeared brighter than he had ever seen them. He peered into the night, but the darkness made it nearly impossible to distinguish objects.
He listened and watched because he knew the house was well guarded. There must be a dozen soldiers out there, but where? Andy soon reasoned that they must be in front of the mansion and down the lane near the main road. After a few minutes, he knew there were no guards at the back of the house. He slipped through the open window and began to crawl toward some trees at the edge of the lawn.
Upon reaching the trees, he refolded the chart, placed it in the inside of his boots, and then put them on. He listened and looked, but his ears detected only the gentle breeze stirring the leaves. He thought, I need to get into Culpepper before morning, where I can disguise myself as a black slave and avoid detection until they quit searching for me.