Read Online The Smoke at Dawn: A Novel of the Civil War by Jeff Shaara - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jeff Shaara
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all. For every critic, I have a voice of authority who speaks out on my behalf. Already I have received the heartiest congratulations for my success from Joe Johnston, from General Lee, from a great many of those loyal to me in Richmond. This kind of chicanery cannot be tolerated, and it will not be tolerated. Leave me, General. The pretense of your loyalty is noted, as is your lack of decorum, and your unwillingness to document what you say.”
Liddell hesitated, said, “Sir, before I leave this office, I must mentionthat there are others who would not be a party to this scheme. Not every general officer in this army is so eager to express their disloyalty, or demonstrate such flagrant disrespect. It would be an error on your part to assume such.”
“It is a little late for you to kneel down, General.”
“Sir, I only …”
Liddell stopped, seemed to run out of words. He made a short bow, marched noisily from the office. Bragg felt his heart racing, ran the names through his head, the faces of Longstreet, Buckner, Cleburne, thought, They would test my resolve? They would urge the president to remove me, after such successes as we have had? They have made a serious tactical error, one that will cost them dearly.
Mackall was in the doorway, said, “Excuse me, sir. It was impossible not to hear General Liddell’s report. If I may inquire, sir, what are you going to do?”
Bragg felt energized, the familiar ailments swept away. He looked out toward the open ground beyond the Nail House, the rain blowing past in a steady torrent, several days of that now. He heard a distant thump of thunder, and Mackall looked that way, said, “It is just the storm, sir. There is no movement, no activity.”
“Oh, there is activity aplenty. They wish a war, they shall have a war.”
Mackall started to protest, then stopped, seemed to understand what Bragg was saying. “Sir, if I might offer, with deepest respects—”
“Later. There is much to be done. Plans to be made, correspondence to be sent. Have the secretary prepared with pen and paper. I must think about this, put into words the best strategy.”
“You are not speaking of the Yankees.”
Bragg made a small laugh, as much joviality as he permitted himself. “I am speaking of the
enemy
, Mr. Mackall. We have a war, and I mean to fight it. President Davis will expect something from me very quickly. I must not hesitate.”
Mackall said nothing, stared at him for a long moment.
“Be selective with your comments, Mr. Mackall. I might assume you to be among the conspirators.”
Mackall waited, then said softly, “Does this affair, this confrontation with your subordinates … bring you joy?”
Bragg was surprised by the question, thought a moment. “There is never joy in disloyalty. I did not ask for this controversy, but I will confront it. Those who dismiss my willingness to fight shall pay for their mistake.”
“I know of no one in this army who questions your fight, sir.”
“I suppose I should thank you for your blindness. No good, Mr. Mackall. I am like the serpent who has been tread upon. I will rise up and smite my enemies.”
“You’re referring to your own commanders, sir. No one is your enemy. They are critical, they have different opinions of what we must do. They are impatient. They seek to correct errors. If we devote too much energy to this kind of squabble, it can only harm us, harm our cause.”
“This is far from a squabble. There is great danger from those who oppose this command, who would seek to remove me from this office at the moment of a great triumph.” Bragg tilted his head, examined Mackall’s stoic expression, had grown weary of that. “Have you nothing to add, Mr. Mackall? Do you not see opportunity here? Finally, I may rid the army of those who seek to defeat us.”
Mackall turned away, then paused, stood in the doorway, said in a soft voice, “What of the Yankees? We must put our attentions there.”
“The Yankees
Liddell hesitated, said, “Sir, before I leave this office, I must mentionthat there are others who would not be a party to this scheme. Not every general officer in this army is so eager to express their disloyalty, or demonstrate such flagrant disrespect. It would be an error on your part to assume such.”
“It is a little late for you to kneel down, General.”
“Sir, I only …”
Liddell stopped, seemed to run out of words. He made a short bow, marched noisily from the office. Bragg felt his heart racing, ran the names through his head, the faces of Longstreet, Buckner, Cleburne, thought, They would test my resolve? They would urge the president to remove me, after such successes as we have had? They have made a serious tactical error, one that will cost them dearly.
Mackall was in the doorway, said, “Excuse me, sir. It was impossible not to hear General Liddell’s report. If I may inquire, sir, what are you going to do?”
Bragg felt energized, the familiar ailments swept away. He looked out toward the open ground beyond the Nail House, the rain blowing past in a steady torrent, several days of that now. He heard a distant thump of thunder, and Mackall looked that way, said, “It is just the storm, sir. There is no movement, no activity.”
“Oh, there is activity aplenty. They wish a war, they shall have a war.”
Mackall started to protest, then stopped, seemed to understand what Bragg was saying. “Sir, if I might offer, with deepest respects—”
“Later. There is much to be done. Plans to be made, correspondence to be sent. Have the secretary prepared with pen and paper. I must think about this, put into words the best strategy.”
“You are not speaking of the Yankees.”
Bragg made a small laugh, as much joviality as he permitted himself. “I am speaking of the
enemy
, Mr. Mackall. We have a war, and I mean to fight it. President Davis will expect something from me very quickly. I must not hesitate.”
Mackall said nothing, stared at him for a long moment.
“Be selective with your comments, Mr. Mackall. I might assume you to be among the conspirators.”
Mackall waited, then said softly, “Does this affair, this confrontation with your subordinates … bring you joy?”
Bragg was surprised by the question, thought a moment. “There is never joy in disloyalty. I did not ask for this controversy, but I will confront it. Those who dismiss my willingness to fight shall pay for their mistake.”
“I know of no one in this army who questions your fight, sir.”
“I suppose I should thank you for your blindness. No good, Mr. Mackall. I am like the serpent who has been tread upon. I will rise up and smite my enemies.”
“You’re referring to your own commanders, sir. No one is your enemy. They are critical, they have different opinions of what we must do. They are impatient. They seek to correct errors. If we devote too much energy to this kind of squabble, it can only harm us, harm our cause.”
“This is far from a squabble. There is great danger from those who oppose this command, who would seek to remove me from this office at the moment of a great triumph.” Bragg tilted his head, examined Mackall’s stoic expression, had grown weary of that. “Have you nothing to add, Mr. Mackall? Do you not see opportunity here? Finally, I may rid the army of those who seek to defeat us.”
Mackall turned away, then paused, stood in the doorway, said in a soft voice, “What of the Yankees? We must put our attentions there.”
“The Yankees
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