Richmond, Virginia
January 1864
Jefferson Davis sat beside General Longstreet in matched wooden chairs in his office, both staring at snow flurries out the window. General Braxton Bragg, recently arrived from Tennessee, sat in a third chair, this one upholstered in gaudy fashion, and judging by style and wear, sometime early in the last century.
“General Bragg, welcome to Richmond. General Longstreet, thank you for coming. Gentlemen, I’m delighted to have our armies back on Southern soil and defending what is ours. Taking and holding Washington sent a powerful message to the Union, but our future lies not in conquering territory but in protecting it. General Longstreet, has McClellan re-entered the city?”
As usual, Longstreet didn’t answer immediately, and, as usual, it wasn’t clear to Davis if he had been listening.
Finally, “Fitz Lee made sure that McClellan couldn’t just march into the city. Made him earn it. Fitz hit him hard at Wheaton and again at Silver Spring, but just hit and run, no interest in a general engagement. So yes, McClellan is back in Washington City, and I understand from our friends in the city that Lincoln and the cabinet are due back from Philadelphia at any time.”
“And our own army?”
“Just like old times. Right now, I’m holding the line of the Rappahannock, but I’ve a mind to pull back closer to Richmond. Maybe as far south as Ashland Mill. I want to keep my supply lines short but still have room to maneuver.”
“General Bragg, what’s the current disposition of your men?”
“Sir, I’ve got 10,000 men camped along the James River west of the city. These are veteran troops, hard men. They’re anxious to show what western boys are made of.”
Longstreet briefly turned to look at Bragg, then returned to the window. His Methuselah beard helped hide his facial expression.
Davis caught Longstreet’s glance. “General, your boys will indeed get a chance to show what they’re made of, and soon enough. I understand that General Grant is on his way to Washington City. The last report we have is that he was seen boarding a train in Pittsburgh earlier this week, which means he may already be in Washington.”
Without turning from the window, Longstreet said, “I believe Mr. Lincoln will send General Grant our way. Keep McClellan in Washington City to defend it from Burgoyne. We’ll need Burgoyne to keep McClellan occupied so that his army doesn’t join up with Grant’s.”
Davis hesitated, then said, “General Longstreet. Pete. We all know what Grant is capable of. What we must avoid is a siege. The Union has endless supplies of men and material, and we have neither. Grant must be defeated in the field, or at the very least driven back north. If Grant is allowed to dig in around Richmond, sooner or later he’ll strangle us.”
The huge clock in the corner ticked audibly. Bragg stared at Longstreet, who was studying the snow flurries with scientific interest. Bragg, uncomfortable with the silence, broke it by saying, “Mr. President, my men are anxious for a fight and prepared to take the offensive.”
Longstreet turned to Davis. “Maybe I’ve spent too much time with Jackson lately. But I’m thinking the good Lord saved him for a purpose. I believe it’s nigh time to introduce General Jackson to General Grant. Of course, they met at the Academy, and in Mexico.” And with a look at Bragg, “But Grant has never had to deal with the likes of our Stonewall out West.”
Davis let the last remark sit in the air for a full minute. “General Bragg, you’ll place your fine troops at the disposition of General Longstreet. Gentlemen, I expect the coming battle to decide our fate. Southern independence is in your hands.”