Read Online The Fateful Lightning by Jeff Shaara - Free Book Online Page A

miss it, he would regret that for the rest of his life. It was up to Sherman to make sure that Hitchcock didn’t act rashly on that instinct, by putting himself into serious danger.
    “So, how’s the horse?”
    Hitchcock reached down, gingerly patted the horse’s neck. “We’re getting along. He hasn’t tried to toss me into any mud hole yet. I suspect he’s tempted.”
    “Might find your own yet.”
    “Doubt that, sir. Reports were pretty specific that the
Belle Peoria
was captured by rebel raiders. My mount Ellis is likely under the backside of General Forrest right now.”
    Sherman made a small laugh, rolled the cigar back and forth, thought, His horse was named
Ellis
? One hand began fidgeting with a button on his coat, and Sherman said, “If you say so. Didn’t know you were bringing a thoroughbred to camp. Reb cavalry boys are pretty particular about their mounts.”
    Hitchcock was silent, and Sherman realized he had embarrassed him. He had an instinctive respect for the man, beyond the fact that Hitchcock was far closer to his own age than nearly anyone around him. There was something serious in the man’s sense of duty, even the most mundane task attacked with the kind of vigor that earns promotions.
    “Heard you went to Yale. That path usually puts a man into politics. You?”
    Hitchcock seemed to welcome the change of subject. “Oh, not really, sir. Missouri was a deadly awful place to go that route. Nasty in the extreme. I voted Whig until Lincoln came along, and so I changed over to Republican. Thought Lincoln was the only real choice we had. I’ve no use for those who preached rebellion, none at all. No usefor those in Missouri who resorted to such violence.” He paused. “I guess that seems a little silly. There’s plenty of violence now. And here I am.”
    “Why?”
    “Heard a lot of talk about the problems with the country, all the arguments. Saw that it was very easy for a man to come down hard on any position he chose, if he didn’t have to die for it. Not intending to die, of course. But this war is too important for me to spend it arguing law cases in St. Louis. I just couldn’t remain safely at home making money and enjoying a comfortable life while others were doing the fighting. And of course…dying. I rather expect that’s why you’re here. I took you for a Lincoln man right away. You rose quickly in this army, a man who fights for the right causes. Pardon me for the observation, sir.”
    “It’s not an observation. It’s a guess. And I never said anything of the sort. Don’t talk much about my politics, don’t intend to start. I care not at all for the side issues in this war. Does no good, on any account. There’s one reason I’m here, Major. Those people out there, whether they carry a musket or wear a skirt, they have undertaken to rebel against and destroy my government. They will stop this war and return to the obedience of our laws or my government shall destroy
them
. I am presently employed by my government, and I’m rather good at following orders. Usually.”
    Hitchcock stared at him. “Well put, sir. You should argue the law.”
    “Tried that. Do a better job of…this.”
    They approached another camp, an Illinois flag planted high, only one walled tent, as Sherman had ordered it. He saw horsemen now, moving his way on the road, led by a familiar face. The man pushed his horse faster, his small staff trailing behind. He reined up, offered Sherman a crisp salute.
    “How very good to see you, sir. Might I be of service? We’re making camp in this clearing, and the skirmishers have been deployed.”
    Sherman felt washed over by the man’s energy, the annoying combination of high rank and youth. He returned the salute, said to Hitchcock, “This is General Mitchell, one of General Morgan’s brigade commanders. Ohio lawyer. You a Yale man by any chance, General?”
    “Yale? Oh, my, no sir. Kenyon College, in Gambier. Didn’t spend any time at all outside