Prelude to Glory, Vol. 2 by Ron Carter

Author:Ron Carter [Carter, Ron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Published: 1999-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

New York City

July 20, 1776

Chapter XII

* * *

Sir, General William Howe has sent his adjutant general, who requests an audience with you.”

General George Washington slowly raised his head, laid down the quill with which he had been writing, and settled back in his chair. Face a passive mask, he studied his adjutant general, Colonel Joseph Reed, for long moments before he spoke. “What name?”

“Lieutenant Colonel James Paterson, sir.”

“Alone?”

“No, sir. Three other officers in his entourage.”

“Where are they now?”

“In their boat, sir. We would not let them come ashore without your permission.”

“Does he have a letter?”

“Yes, sir.”

Washington rose and leaned forward on stiff arms, hands flat on the top of his massive walnut desk, which was half-covered with neat stacks of the never-ending paperwork that runs an army. His eyes sharpened, became penetrating. “To whom is this one addressed?”

“To ‘George Washington, Esq., etc., etc.’ ”

A smile came and quickly passed as Washington spoke. “It appears General Howe has been somewhat educated since his last messenger came calling.”

A proud grin flickered on Reed’s face. “Yes, sir, it would appear so.”

Both Reed and Washington were remembering the previous messenger sent by Admiral Richard Howe six days earlier, on July 14, 1776. Commodore Tupper of the nearly nonexistent Continental navy had rowed out in a barge to stop the British longboat as it approached the New York shores and demanded to know the purpose. The British officer in command stated he had been ordered to personally deliver a written document to General Washington and to exchange letters from prisoners. Tupper had reported to General Washington, who sent Colonel Henry Knox and Reed, with a bag of letters from prisoners, down to the bay to investigate. Reed had demanded to meet the British officer, who took hat in hand, bowed politely, and said, “I have a letter from Admiral Howe to Mr. Washington.”

Reed’s mouth had fallen open for a split second before he snapped it shut. Mr. Washington! Mister Washington! He had drawn himself up to full height and sucked in his chin. Howe refuses to recognize we have an army, or that General Washington’s the commander! How dare he! He had brought his flared anger under control. “Sir, we have no person in our army with that address.”

The British officer had gaped and stammered, “But . . . but will you look at the address?” as he thrust the sealed letter forward.

Reed had seized it and glanced at the address. “ ‘George Washington, Esq., New York.’ ” He had shoved it back at the British officer. “No, sir, I cannot receive that letter.”

The stunned British officer had groped for a way to save his mission. “I, uh, I am very sorry, and so will be my commander, that any error in the superscription should prevent the letter being received by General Washington.”

Reed had set his chin like a bulldog. “Why, sir, I must obey orders.” Reed had relied on the cardinal rule of the British army, which was that orders would be obeyed first, last, and always.

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