Read Online Stonewall Goes West: A Novel of The Civil War and What Might Have Been (Stonewall Goes West Trilogy) by R.E. Thomas - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: R.E. Thomas
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stickler for discipline and protocol though he was, Jackson wondered if he could ever be as formal, pleasant but formal nonetheless, with his own offspring as Lee was.
George Lee showed he had not fallen far from the tree, by saying “Thank you, sir.”
Turning to Jackson, he said “General Thomas J. Jackson, I have the honor of informing you that our President, Jefferson Davis, wishes you to accept promotion to the rank of full general, and assignment as the commander of the Army of Tennessee, now positioned in Dalton, Georgia.”
Jackson blinked. He slowly extended his right hand to accept the letter proffered by George Lee. After an awkward pause, Jackson said “What of General Johnston? General Beauregard? Surely they...”
George Lee answered “The President feels that you are best qualified to take this command, General Jackson.”
Jackson was numb. It was no secret the President’s relations with Beauregard and Johnston were poisoned. Even so, Jackson had thought the command would naturally go to one of them. The possibility of it being offered to him had never occurred to him.
Jackson said quietly “I... I accept.”
Lee, still seated behind his camp table, looked down. He knew Jackson as endowed with a modest, dutiful nature, but also with industrious ambition. There had never been any doubt in his mind that the offer would take Jackson by surprise, just as he himself was unsurprised by Jackson’s acceptance.
Still, Lee felt slightly displeased, although he did not show it. Half-expect Jackson’s promotion though he did, Lee had not wanted to hear of it. It meant the loss of one of his best lieutenants.
George Lee, on the other hand, smiled brightly with an assignment successfully completed. “Very good, General Jackson. I am to instruct you, on behalf of the President, that nothing is to be said of this matter by either yourself or General Lee until the promotion and appointment become official. The bill will be placed before Congress on Monday morning.”
Lee stood up. “Now, General Lee, I have business to discuss with General Jackson. But if you would be so kind as to wait, and return when we are finished? Perhaps we could have supper together?”
“Of course, sir.” George Lee saluted and left.
Lee said quietly “Please, sit down.” After a pause, he added “May I call you Thomas?”
This was another surprise, although not as shocking as the offer of promotion and command. Lee rarely referred to anyone in the army by their Christian name, even in private. Even Jackson referred to his subordinates in given, informal terms more often than Lee did.
After Jackson assented, Lee said “Well then, Thomas, may I offer you my warmest and most sincere congratulations on this happy occasion? You have achieved a signal accomplishment in your career, and I can think of no officer in Confederate service who deserves it more.”
Jackson blushed and stammered “Thank you, sir.” After a pause, he continued “It has always been my pleasure to serve.”
Lee nodded, and asked softly “When you were wounded at Chancellorsville, do you recall the message I sent? That while you had lost your left arm, I had lost my right?”
Jackson reddened. “Sir, I believe we have won victories through the grace of divine Providence. It was Providence that saw fit to give us you as our leader in our time of need. What part I have played in that has merely been as a lesser instrument.”
“God favors our cause and graces us with victories, yes,” Lee agreed, “but your role has not been so small as that. The good Lord blesses us each with our own talents, and yours have always been especially well-suited to command. May I give you some advice?”
Jackson replied earnestly, “I am honored, sir.”
Lee spoke slowly. “The President has sometimes suggested to me that I assume command of our western army. I have always refused, for a variety of reasons. One is I believe I would not receive the cooperation of
George Lee showed he had not fallen far from the tree, by saying “Thank you, sir.”
Turning to Jackson, he said “General Thomas J. Jackson, I have the honor of informing you that our President, Jefferson Davis, wishes you to accept promotion to the rank of full general, and assignment as the commander of the Army of Tennessee, now positioned in Dalton, Georgia.”
Jackson blinked. He slowly extended his right hand to accept the letter proffered by George Lee. After an awkward pause, Jackson said “What of General Johnston? General Beauregard? Surely they...”
George Lee answered “The President feels that you are best qualified to take this command, General Jackson.”
Jackson was numb. It was no secret the President’s relations with Beauregard and Johnston were poisoned. Even so, Jackson had thought the command would naturally go to one of them. The possibility of it being offered to him had never occurred to him.
Jackson said quietly “I... I accept.”
Lee, still seated behind his camp table, looked down. He knew Jackson as endowed with a modest, dutiful nature, but also with industrious ambition. There had never been any doubt in his mind that the offer would take Jackson by surprise, just as he himself was unsurprised by Jackson’s acceptance.
Still, Lee felt slightly displeased, although he did not show it. Half-expect Jackson’s promotion though he did, Lee had not wanted to hear of it. It meant the loss of one of his best lieutenants.
George Lee, on the other hand, smiled brightly with an assignment successfully completed. “Very good, General Jackson. I am to instruct you, on behalf of the President, that nothing is to be said of this matter by either yourself or General Lee until the promotion and appointment become official. The bill will be placed before Congress on Monday morning.”
Lee stood up. “Now, General Lee, I have business to discuss with General Jackson. But if you would be so kind as to wait, and return when we are finished? Perhaps we could have supper together?”
“Of course, sir.” George Lee saluted and left.
Lee said quietly “Please, sit down.” After a pause, he added “May I call you Thomas?”
This was another surprise, although not as shocking as the offer of promotion and command. Lee rarely referred to anyone in the army by their Christian name, even in private. Even Jackson referred to his subordinates in given, informal terms more often than Lee did.
After Jackson assented, Lee said “Well then, Thomas, may I offer you my warmest and most sincere congratulations on this happy occasion? You have achieved a signal accomplishment in your career, and I can think of no officer in Confederate service who deserves it more.”
Jackson blushed and stammered “Thank you, sir.” After a pause, he continued “It has always been my pleasure to serve.”
Lee nodded, and asked softly “When you were wounded at Chancellorsville, do you recall the message I sent? That while you had lost your left arm, I had lost my right?”
Jackson reddened. “Sir, I believe we have won victories through the grace of divine Providence. It was Providence that saw fit to give us you as our leader in our time of need. What part I have played in that has merely been as a lesser instrument.”
“God favors our cause and graces us with victories, yes,” Lee agreed, “but your role has not been so small as that. The good Lord blesses us each with our own talents, and yours have always been especially well-suited to command. May I give you some advice?”
Jackson replied earnestly, “I am honored, sir.”
Lee spoke slowly. “The President has sometimes suggested to me that I assume command of our western army. I have always refused, for a variety of reasons. One is I believe I would not receive the cooperation of
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