Richmond, Virginia
October 1863
Jefferson Davis sat in silence, the pendulum of the huge clock in his office providing the only sound. Before him sat a young man dressed in workman’s clothing but of soldierly bearing. Davis was surrounded by aides, all soldiers, mostly very young men, and all seething with jealousy as they listened to the visitor’s tale.
Major Thomas Packenham, General Burgoyne’s aide-de-camp, was describing his four-day journey from Pottersville, New York to Richmond. He had traveled by buggy, apparently driven by a young woman, by train, on horseback, and on foot. Davis tried to calculate the distance. At least 400, maybe 500 miles. Packenham seemed extraordinarily pleased with himself in a way that only a young Englishman can.
Packenham’s daring journey was interesting. But the letter he had delivered from General John Burgoyne was crucially important as the first communication between the British Army in the field and the government of the Confederate States of America. Davis read aloud the letter a second time.
Pottersville, New York
October 7, 1863
My Dear Sir:
It is with satisfaction that I report that advance elements of the British Army under my command have entered the United States and are currently encamped in the vicinity of the village of Pottersville in the state of New York. It is my intention to threaten the state capital of Albany and the City of New York and to draw Union forces as far northward as possible in an effort to stop us. I trust that by dividing his army, our common foe shall weaken the defenses of Washington City and offer an opportunity for forces of your Confederacy to threaten the enemy capital. It is my hope that we may in this way prevail on both the northern and southern fronts and so bring an early end to hostilities and thus guarantee southern independence. I shall count on your army moving on Washington at the first opportunity. It would be convenient to know the date on which your forces could begin their movement to threaten Washington City. The bearer of this letter has my complete confidence and may be entrusted with your reply.
I remain Sir & c.,
John Fox Burgoyne, General Commanding.
Just what General Lee feared, thought Davis. Orders from the British regarding disposition of our armies. Burgoyne was not wrong, of course, Davis reasoned. Threatening Washington and New York would force Lincoln’s hand. The loss of either city could mean the end of the war, especially with elections coming in a year’s time. Still, Davis preferred to sit tight in Virginia, protect Richmond, and force McClellan to make his dilatory way north to fight the British.
McClellan has his gifts, but speed and decisiveness are not among them, thought Davis. How that decision must have stuck in Lincoln’s craw. The rumors, and Confederate spies, had all said it would be Grant, but he was still tied up along the Mississippi with no end in sight to his siege at Vicksburg.
Davis stared out the window, arms folded, oblivious to the chatter between his staff and Packenham. The notion of attacking Washington did not sit well. If the Northern papers were to be believed, the Confederates could probably sue for peace now just with the threat that the British pose. Davis saw no way to negotiate with the British regarding strategy if every message between them takes four days to deliver, assuming that the courier doesn’t get caught. Burgoyne knows that and assumes we’ll have no choice but to do as he says, Davis reasoned. Moving on Washington. Longstreet won’t like it. Perhaps it was a mistake not to beg Lee to stay.
“Major, you will dine with us this evening, and of course you shall stay with my family in our residence. One of my officers should be able to provide you with proper attire. I will, of course, begin immediately to prepare a response to General Burgoyne. Tell me, Major, your general, is he the negotiating sort?”
Packenham smiled. “I wouldn’t say so, sir. More the type of officer born to command. He’s quite at home giving orders. I would say, sir, that he’s given to setting a course of action and seeing it through.”
“Just as I assumed Major. Captain Slidell, could you kindly see to a suit of clothes for the major? Perhaps a gray uniform would suit him for an evening. And Major, when would you be sufficiently rested to return north?”
Packenham smiled again. “I should think tomorrow morning, early, would do, Mr. President.”