Never Call Retreat - Civil War 03 Read Online Free PDF

direct violation of my own orders."
    "It will ru in you, sir," Washburn e interjected. "If you resign, you can claim reasons of health, your asthma. It's that or a fight you don't want and cannot win."
    Lincoln sighed again.
    "Or one the nation needs at this moment."
    His tone softened and Lincoln drew closer.
    "Edwin, you did fine to a point, but you overstepped yourself. Not just here but in the orders you sent to Meade during Union Mills. I am asking, as someone who once worked alongside you, please resign."
    Edwin continued to cough, wheezing hard, then finally straightened back up.
    "I'll resign," he whispered. - "Fine, then." Lincoln led him over to his desk, took out a sheet of White House stationery, and offered him a pen.
    The stationery already was filled out with a statement of resignation. Stanton read it over once, then quickly signed it, straightening back up.
    "And I assume my replacement is your friend there," Stanton asked, nodding toward Elihu.
    "Yes."
    "I figured as much."
    Stanton looked over at Ely.
    "Major Parker you said your name is?"
    Ely felt a cold chill with the way Stanton looked at him.
    "Yes, sir."
    Stanton said nothing. "Good day, Mr. President." He turned and walked out.
    Lincoln's shoulders hunched over, and wearily he walked over to his desk and sat down on the edge of it.
    Again there was a long silence. Lincoln finally reached into a pigeonhole of his desk and drew out a sealed envelope.
    "Elihu, this is your authorization to assume control as acting secretary of war until such time as the Senate reconvenes to confirm your appointment. I expect you to go over to the War Office right now. Take an escort with you. Edwin's office is to be sealed. He is not allowed back in till such time as you review all records contained in there. Personal items will be returned to him once your review is complete."
    "Yes, Mr. President."
    Lincoln looked back over at Ely, who stood rooted in place.
    "Don't let that little threat bother you," Lincoln said. "Threat, sir?"
    "His asking your name like that. Rather ungentlemanly of him."
    Ely did not reply. After all he had seen the last few days, the threat of a former secretary of war seemed almost inconsequential.
    Lincoln fell silent again for a few minutes, Elihu standing by the desk as if waiting.
    "You know what to do," Lincoln said.
    "What we talked about, sir," Elihu replied.
    For the first time Ely realized the drama he had just witnessed had been planned out long before his arrival. His messages were simply the confirmation the president had been waiting for.
    "Elihu, I'll drop by your new office a bit later this morning. I want all the arrangements made for my little adventure."
    "Sir, I still caution against it. Stanton is on his way to the newspapers even now. It will cause an explosion in this town once the word hits. Plus the risk involved."
    "Don't worry, Elihu, I'll have a good escort with me. I think Major Parker will serve as an excellent guide and traveling companion."
    "Sir?" Parker asked, now thoroughly confused.
    "I think it's time I paid a little visit to your general," Lincoln said.
    Lincoln looked at the two, his features serious.
    "Gentlemen, I think that the crisis is truly upon us now. Lee has outmaneuvered us again. Major, it is obvious that the word you bring to me is that General Grant has launched his attack prematurely, forced to do so because of Sickles's disastrous actions."
    "Yes, sir, that is obviously the case."
    "So the risks are far higher now. I must confer with Grant upon them before giving my own approval. The choice is ul timately mine."
    He lowered his head as if speaking to himself.
    "I am now convinced we shall either win or lose this war in the next two weeks."
    CHAPTER TWO
    Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia Seven Miles South of Hav re de Grace, Maryland
    August 22, 1863
    I
    t was the noonday lull, the cool breezes of morning giving way to a still midday heat. Gen. Robert E. Lee, commander, Army of Northern