The Evening Gun: Volume three in War of 1812 Trilogy by White William H

Author:White, William H. [White, William H.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Sea Fiction Press
Published: 2014-09-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“Take your men and put ‘em aboard the gunboats you’ll find here and here.” Josiah Eldridge pointed a long manicured finger at different locations on the map he had spread out on the barrel of a cannon while Isaac and Jack looked on. “Until Commodore Rodgers and Captain Porter return from Washington, you’ll have to report to Jared Talbot – he’s got a passel of men and a dozen and more gunboats on both sides of McHenry. I ‘spect he’ll be found in Ridgley’s Cove with more ‘an a few of his vessels. Leastways, that’s where I’d start lookin’ for him.”

The pinch-faced civilian wiped a hand across his sweating face and tried ineffectively to dry his now dripping hand on his dirty trousers. His shirt was soaked and stained both from the constant sweat and the dirt and mud being moved onto the revetment. It was apparent to the sailors that he took his job most seriously. He squinted at the two captains and raised his brows questioningly to insure their understanding. Both nodded and smiled at the news that their friend was here and then looked out from Federal Hill to orient themselves with the positions on the map. Eldridge cast a glance over Clements’ shoulder to again assure himself that the big dog still showed no interest in him; indeed Carronade had found a patch of shade next to another cannon and was sound asleep, snoring softly.

The flotillamen had had less success in finding shade but had, to a man, collapsed, exhausted from their forced march and the once again overwhelming heat. Isaac and Jack had led their sailors into Baltimore and, after almost a day lost to their attempt to find “competent authority,” had found Josiah Eldridge in a redoubt atop a hill overlooking the city. He seemed to be knowledgeable and apparently had some authority. He had introduced himself to the sailors as a member of the Committee of Vigilance and Safety.

Secretary Jones had instructed Isaac to find either David Porter or John Rodgers; both, it turned out, were still in Washington dealing with the British retreat on the Potomac River. The redoubt was one of many surrounding the city and part of a defense perimeter thrown up and reinforced after the word of Washington’s collapse had reached Baltimore. Both the military and the city fathers were determined that their city would not fall, reflecting the feelings of not only the locals but the general populace as well. Mayor Edward Johnson had helped establish the Committee of Vigilance and Safety, the successor to the Committee of Supply, formed in 1813. Its function had been the defense of the city of Baltimore and its newly formed stepchild was designed to augment and assist with the extraordinary measures necessary if the city was to survive the anticipated invasion by the British.

Manpower was provided at the request of the Committee to complete and increase the modest number of entrenchments designed to protect the city from invasion – unlike its sister city to the south.

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