A NATION HEALING - BOOK III The Second Civil War (The Second Civil War - BOOK III 1) by Huffman Marshall

Author:Huffman, Marshall [Huffman, Marshall]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2013-11-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

WASHINGTON, DC

As much as it galled him, General Ascot had conceded to allowing for a funeral procession to follow the tradition for a former United States leader. In his heart he felt it was unworthy but he did not want to cause an outcry. The people had enough stress without his refusal to honor tradition.

The one thing he did not give in on was having the body lay in the rotunda. That was just too much to ask. In concession he ordered the flags flown at half-mast for three days.

Only a few countries sent emissaries. England, Russia, France, Canada and a few smaller countries were represented. He was surprised to find that Beau Zimmerman was coming to represent the American Republic. He really wouldn’t have blamed them if they had elected to forgo the ceremony.

The horse drawn carriage procession had traveled down Constitution Avenue, around the Lincoln Memorial and crossed over the Arlington National Memorial Bridge before entering Arlington Cemetery.

General Ascot had asked Beau to ride with him to the burial site so they could talk.

“It looks like we dodged the bullet with Mexico,” the General said.

“Yes. They took longer to get out than we would have liked but they are gone. We have begun to assess the amount of damage and loss of life. It is considerable. Our forces have found two large mass burial sites. We have just begun to exhume the bodies.”

“I figured as much.”

“They are slowly returning the items they sacked from the museums and art galleries. Gold and cash are missing in large amounts as well. We fully intend to pursue that aspect,” Beau told him.

“That brings up another matter I would like to discuss with you. The gold at Fort Knox. We really need to have serious talks about that. We will simply not be able to survive on the amount we now have in our possession. We all need to sit down and see if some compromise can be reached.”

“Well, I can’t speak for the President but I don’t see what harm could come out of frank and open dialogue. We do not want you see you fall into a depression. The war took enough out of the people.”

“Then you will ask President Jason about a meeting. Your Treasury Chief and our financial leaders?”

“I will indeed,” he said just as the car pulled to a stop at the site.

It was a beautiful cloudless day. There was a slight chill in the air but nothing that would require a coat. Beau stopped and turned to look at the city.

“It is always inspiring isn’t it? No matter how many times you see it,” Ascot said.

“Beautiful. Just beautiful. I am thankful that the Capital was spared any war damage.”

“I’ll admit, the American Republic showed great restraint in not bombing New York and the Capital.”

“Part of the credit has to go to you as well. You initiated contact with President Jason. They would have been targets at some point,” Beau said as they continued to walk to the burial site.

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