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 B
Authors: R.E. Thomas
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the officers there. We have always been a proud, spirited people, Thomas, but that is at least as much a burden as it is to our benefit. As many of our people are cursed with hot tempers and an empty, prideful stubbornness as are blessed with courage, dignity and those other virtues belonging to a true gentleman. And greed is far from being solely a sin of the Northern man.”
Jackson nodded, aware of the bitter feuding between the western army’s former commander, Braxton Bragg, and his generals. Both as a former teacher and as an officer, Jackson was quite familiar with the sinful character flaws of which Lee spoke, and he agreed completely. He also thought of these failings as part of the reason the war had dragged on at such dear cost.
While Jackson was absolutely certain in his conviction that God recognized the Confederacy, with all its flaws, as the true heirs of the Revolution and of His blessings of liberty, and wanted it to prevail, he was equally certain the nation was atoning for each and every one of its sins along the way. God wanted them to suffer, wanted them penitent, so they would emerge from the war a better, purer country.
Lee paused again, and silently decided that he would not point out that Jackson was one of those hot tempered, too stubborn men as well, as he had considered doing. It was not his place to chide Jackson so. Instead he chose to limit himself to one word of advice, something less personal.
Lee said “I have had to deal with many such people in this army, as have you. Some of our officers have talents of such promise that I overlook their personal shortcomings. I know you understand.”
“Yes, yes” Jackson said. He thought of A.P. Hill’s disobedient, impatient temper, or Ewell’s former and Early’s current profanity and blasphemy.
Lee went on. “There are other officers, however, who sadly have enjoyed no such redeeming traits. Men who were either not suited to their duties, or else were so ill-tempered that they caused us more problems than their merits could ever outweigh. Daniel Hill, for example.”
Jackson nodded in agreement, but shifted uncomfortably. Daniel Harvey Hill had been an outstanding fighter and division commander in Lee’s army, but the man was short-tempered, easily irritated and fond of finding fault with just about everyone, including his superiors. Consciously or not, D.H. Hill had been a font of contention and disunity.
He was also Jackson’s brother-in-law. Lee had consulted Jackson about Hill’s reassignment to North Carolina, and while Jackson had not liked it, he had concurred. Hill had made his own bed. If Jackson had been in Lee’s place, he might have preferred charges over a polite transfer.
Lee’s tone shifted, rising and stiffening from pleasant conversation into kindly lecture. “One of the strengths of this army has been the many excellent officers with which it has been blessed. Yet I did not begin with an army led by so many worthy men. I had to send away many, many unsatisfactory officers. You know this, but what you might not be aware of is I never could have done this, nor been allowed to follow my own plans as I have done, if I did not enjoy the confidence of the President.”
“There have been past misunderstandings between yourself and President Davis,” Lee continued. “In this army’s operations, you have always been reclusive, secretive about your plans, with your subordinates and sometimes with good reason, but never with me. Now you must be as open with President Davis as you have ever been with me. You must confide in him, let no past grievances come between you. If I enjoy my own discretion in my commanders and my plans, it is because Davis trusts me. As do our people. You already have the one, Thomas. Part of your duty as an army commander is to cultivate the other.”
If any other man had said this to Jackson, he would have ignored him or rebuked him for his presumption. But not Lee. Jackson had never modeled
Jackson nodded, aware of the bitter feuding between the western army’s former commander, Braxton Bragg, and his generals. Both as a former teacher and as an officer, Jackson was quite familiar with the sinful character flaws of which Lee spoke, and he agreed completely. He also thought of these failings as part of the reason the war had dragged on at such dear cost.
While Jackson was absolutely certain in his conviction that God recognized the Confederacy, with all its flaws, as the true heirs of the Revolution and of His blessings of liberty, and wanted it to prevail, he was equally certain the nation was atoning for each and every one of its sins along the way. God wanted them to suffer, wanted them penitent, so they would emerge from the war a better, purer country.
Lee paused again, and silently decided that he would not point out that Jackson was one of those hot tempered, too stubborn men as well, as he had considered doing. It was not his place to chide Jackson so. Instead he chose to limit himself to one word of advice, something less personal.
Lee said “I have had to deal with many such people in this army, as have you. Some of our officers have talents of such promise that I overlook their personal shortcomings. I know you understand.”
“Yes, yes” Jackson said. He thought of A.P. Hill’s disobedient, impatient temper, or Ewell’s former and Early’s current profanity and blasphemy.
Lee went on. “There are other officers, however, who sadly have enjoyed no such redeeming traits. Men who were either not suited to their duties, or else were so ill-tempered that they caused us more problems than their merits could ever outweigh. Daniel Hill, for example.”
Jackson nodded in agreement, but shifted uncomfortably. Daniel Harvey Hill had been an outstanding fighter and division commander in Lee’s army, but the man was short-tempered, easily irritated and fond of finding fault with just about everyone, including his superiors. Consciously or not, D.H. Hill had been a font of contention and disunity.
He was also Jackson’s brother-in-law. Lee had consulted Jackson about Hill’s reassignment to North Carolina, and while Jackson had not liked it, he had concurred. Hill had made his own bed. If Jackson had been in Lee’s place, he might have preferred charges over a polite transfer.
Lee’s tone shifted, rising and stiffening from pleasant conversation into kindly lecture. “One of the strengths of this army has been the many excellent officers with which it has been blessed. Yet I did not begin with an army led by so many worthy men. I had to send away many, many unsatisfactory officers. You know this, but what you might not be aware of is I never could have done this, nor been allowed to follow my own plans as I have done, if I did not enjoy the confidence of the President.”
“There have been past misunderstandings between yourself and President Davis,” Lee continued. “In this army’s operations, you have always been reclusive, secretive about your plans, with your subordinates and sometimes with good reason, but never with me. Now you must be as open with President Davis as you have ever been with me. You must confide in him, let no past grievances come between you. If I enjoy my own discretion in my commanders and my plans, it is because Davis trusts me. As do our people. You already have the one, Thomas. Part of your duty as an army commander is to cultivate the other.”
If any other man had said this to Jackson, he would have ignored him or rebuked him for his presumption. But not Lee. Jackson had never modeled
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