We must face the situation."
He turned to Lee. The question he was going to put to the man in whom he
had supreme confidence would test both his judgment and his character.
On his answer would hang his career. If it should be what the
Confederate Chief believed, Lee was the man of destiny and his hour had
struck.
"In case Johnston abandons Richmond," the President slowly began, "where
in your opinion, General Lee, is the next best line of defense?"
Lee's fine mouth was set for a moment. He spoke at first with
deliberation.
"As a military engineer, my answer is simple. The next best line of
defense would be at Staten River--but--"
He suddenly leaped to his feet, his eyes streaming with tears.
"Richmond must not be given up--it shall not be given up!"
Davis sprang to his side and clasped Lee's hand.
"So say I, General!"
From that moment the President and his chief military adviser lived on
Johnston's battle line, Lee ready at a moment's notice to spring into
the saddle and hurl his men against McClellan the moment Johnston should
falter.
The Commander was forced to a decision for battle. He could not allow
his arch enemy to remove him without a fight.
The retreat across the Chickahominy had given McClellan an enormous
advantage which his skillful eye saw at once.
Pages:
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416