A Southern Yarn: Book I of the Alternative History Trilogy by Ron Richards

Author:Ron Richards [Richards, Ron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781483545608
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2014-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

The Pursuit

As Lee was preparing to meet with his lieutenants, the city of Richmond was experiencing pandemonium. News of Lee’s brilliant, decisive victory on the North Anna had spread to every corner of the city. Church bells began ringing at once. Robert E. Lee has just saved the capital from a Union thrust for the second time in two years. Celebrations broke out all over the city, and although there may have been a distinct shortage of food and drink, there was certainly plenty of dancing in the streets. In fact, President Jefferson Davis found it almost impossible to leave the city, so crowded were the thoroughfares.

The same could not be said of Washington, D. C. The first word of Grant’s disaster reached the United States capital about three o’clock in the afternoon. General Halleck, the army Chief of Staff, was alone in his study, deeply engrossed in a book when there came a knock upon his door. “Come in,” he beckoned.

The door opened and a young officer stepped inside and said, “A telegram has just arrived from General Meade, sir.” He presented the document to Halleck.

“Ah!” said the old general with a broad smile. “The Army of the Potomac! Grant must have made a move.” He opened the thin envelope, adjusted his bifocals and held the telegram close to an oil lamp.

The message itself was surprisingly brief, considering the impact of its contents. There were only a few lines, and Halleck was able to scan these rather quickly. “Dear God,” he whispered softly, turning his head away.

“Sir?”

“A moment ... please!” Halleck returned to the telegram, reading it completely through a second then a third time just to be sure. “This can’t be possible!” he exclaimed, much louder than he would have preferred.

“General?” stammered the young lieutenant.

“Are you sure this message is accurate?”

“Yes, sir! I was there myself! It’s authentic; I’d stake my life on that!”

“You may soon be staking your life ... much sooner than you might imagine.”

“General? Is something wrong? What news does that message bear?”

“Disas ...” Halleck stopped before finishing the word. “Never mind. I want you to have my carriage brought around at once.”

“Yes, sir. Shall I tell the driver your destination?”

“You’ll do well to learn how to mind your own business,” huffed Halleck.

Ten minutes later, the general stepped out of his home in full dress uniform. He walked briskly to the waiting carriage, nodded to the attendant who opened the door, then glanced up at the driver. “Take me at once to the White House,” he ordered.

As Halleck had been, Abraham Lincoln was in his study. He had been reading the latest newspapers from New York, Philadelphia, and Washington when he heard the knock at his door. The door was opened by a servant who proceeded to invite General Halleck inside. Lincoln looked up and realized immediately something was amiss. Halleck looked ill, his face drawn and frighteningly devoid of color. “Why, General Halleck!” he greeted. “Forgive me for saying this, but you don’t appear to be the least bit well.

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