The Smoke at Dawn: A Novel of the Civil War by Jeff Shaara

Author:Jeff Shaara [Shaara, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780345527431
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2014-06-03T00:00:00+00:00

“There. To the right of that pair of trees. Right at the crest.”

Dana looked through field glasses of his own, said, “Yes, I see it. You certain, sir?”

“Pretty certain. Some of the scouts go up a whole lot closer than this. Plus, there’s deserters. Those fellows always seem eager to impress us with all that they know, how important they are. If they can convince us they have real good information, they know we’ll reward them for it. That’s one way we confirmed the location of Bragg’s headquarters.”

“So, that house is Bragg’s headquarters?”

“Yep.”

“Why don’t we shell it, begging your pardon, sir?”

Grant sniffed, tossed the spent cigar to one side, thought, Civilians.

“Too far, for one thing. Too high up for the artillery to get the range. And, the more I think about it, Mr. Dana, the more I’m convinced that the greatest advantage we might have in this fight is the man up there who commands the enemy. We knock Bragg down, they might find someone else who’s better. At least, for now, we know what we’re facing.”

“Do we know, sir, why he sent Longstreet away? Something perhaps you haven’t said to General Thomas? If I may be so bold to ask, sir. But you understand. I must report what I can to Secretary Stanton.”

“We have scouts, Mr. Dana. But I have yet to find a spy capable enough to sit on Bragg’s staff. In time, perhaps.”

The name bounced through him now, his old friend, Pete Longstreet. The thought suddenly erupted through his brain. Longstreet is after all … Longstreet. Came down here figuring he’d take command, probably with Lee’s blessing. But then he runs into another old mule in Braxton Bragg. I’ll wager they stood toe-to-toe, like a couple of bantam roosters. But Jefferson Davis has treated Bragg like a favorite son, so that’s a fight Longstreet can’t win. Didn’t win. And now, Longstreet is gone. But Halleck insists we can bring him back, just so we can save Burnside. I suppose that’s what I have to do.

“Mr. Dana, I should return to my headquarters. It’s imperative I complete my orders to General Thomas. I’ll provide you a copy, of course, since you’re going to find one anyway. Then you may send your report to Washington. I’m tired of this place, Mr. Dana. It’s time to move.”

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