The Gettysburg Conspiracy by Will Hutchison

Author:Will Hutchison [Hutchison, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7414-8298-3
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Published: 2009-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

26 June 1863, Washington

After receiving Peter’s letter, Ian asked Lord Lyons if he might return to England, claiming family reasons. “I’m afraid your personal life will have to wait, Ian. Although I have no objections, I know your people in Horse Guards will not be so obliging.”

Lord Lyons was correct. When Ian wrote Major Garrison with the same vague request, the Major wrote back that his mission was of utmost importance and must be completed first.

As time passed, no one approached Ian with a letter from Peter, but during the spring of 1863, Ian’s personal life at least became more interesting. He was still attending various soirees, and had made progress in his relationship with Elizabeth. Lately, when he saw her at events, they were able to talk and dance together.

The longer he knew Elizabeth, the fonder he became of her. She was constantly astonishing and delighting him with her wit and imagination. At once outrageous, clever, and seductive, she was also fun.

A battle in Chancellorsville in May, followed in early June by another at Brandy Station, caused Elizabeth to work long hours at the hospital. She was now a fully certified nurse, with all the proper documentation.

Part of the reason they certified Elizabeth so easily was her extraordinary efficiency, which made her in demand. Thus, try as he might, Ian was unable to see her as often as he would have preferred.

Ian was also moving along his assigned mission at the legation. Through contacts he had made while he was with the army in the field, and with the aid of the ever-resourceful Benjamin Tasker, he managed to acquire and send off to London a prime sample of the Spencer rifle, with a box of ammunition. Now London had both the Henry and Spencer, the two repeating rifles Ian believed were most effective.

Reports he was made privy to through Prescott’s friendship indicated that the Spencer rifle was being issued to select units on a small scale. Even the Henry rifle was seeing occasional private purchase use in the field.

These reports were sketchy and did not address the effectiveness of the weapons. What Ian was lacking was observation in battle. If he could but see them in action, he could call his mission a success and return to England. Then he could sort Peter out, and get on with his life—return to the regiment.

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