Washington, DC
February 1864
George McClellan arrived at the Executive Mansion ten minutes early for his meeting with President Lincoln. John Hay, the president’s personal secretary, met the general at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance. The soldiers standing guard stood at attention, arms at their sides, as Hay led McClellan in silence through the doors and down the long corridor to Lincoln’s office. Hay tapped on the door, opened it without waiting for an answer, and stepped aside to let McClellan enter.
Lincoln was seated on a cushioned chair, with his back to the door. Across, on a small sofa, sat General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant’s eyes met McClellan’s and held the gaze.
Lincoln turned and rose to greet McClellan.
“General McClellan, thank you for coming this morning. I believe you know General Grant.”
McClellan nodded. Grant hesitated, slowly stood, and said, “General McClellan was one of the cadets we looked up to at the Academy, and we crossed paths in Mexico.” He stuck out his hand, and McClellan had no choice but to grip it firmly.
It was clear that Lincoln and Grant had been meeting for some time, and McClellan could sense that things had been decided. He had arrived early to the meeting, but too late.
“General Grant was just telling me about the final days at Vicksburg.”
“A great victory, General. Congratulations.” Grant nodded but said nothing.
“General Grant arrived on the cars yesterday, along with his staff and a couple of regiments of infantry. The bulk of his army will arrive within ten days. How many, General?”
Grant was staring at McClellan. “All told, 50,000 men of all arms, give or take. Mostly infantry. The cavalry will take longer; they’re coming overland. I’ve put Sheridan in charge of them. He’s got some, uh, modern notions about the use of cavalry.”
McClellan noted that Lincoln had said “his army,” referring to Grant’s men. He means my army. They’re all under my command, Grant included.
McClellan stared back at Grant. “Fifty thousand men? I’d assumed you’d bring more.”
Grant was slow to respond. “It’s enough. I left the bulk of my army with Sherman to look after Joe Johnston.”
“General McClellan, perhaps you can tell us about the Irish soldiers. What happened in New York?”
McClellan felt the anger rising in his throat. He’s doing it again. He’s going to fire me or worse, demote me and put me under the command of Grant.
“Traitors,” McClellan said. “There’s no other word for it. They didn’t just surrender, they switched sides and actually fired on our troops. The battle was well in hand. We were on the cusp of total victory.”
Lincoln and Grant were silent, until Lincoln spoke. “I was shocked to hear that General Meagher was involved. I understand that a braver soldier never wore the uniform. We have to make an example of the leaders. Pinkerton wired—”
Lincoln searched among papers on the table in front of him and held up the one he was looking for.
“Pinkerton wired that he has arrested Meagher and an accomplice, a John O’Mahony, who says he’s the leader of the Fenian Brotherhood. He found them in New York City, not even trying to hide. They’ll be tried for treason.”
Grant spoke quietly. “Shoot them.”
“Beg your pardon, General?”
“Shoot them. No need for a trial, but if you need one, give them to me and I’ll put them through a military tribunal. We’ll get it done quickly. I’ve got thousands of Irish soldiers in my army. They need to know what happens to traitors.”
McClellan looked at Grant, then at Lincoln. “My army” again. “They’ll need lawyers.”
Grant spoke louder this time, a man confident in himself and in his surroundings. “Fine. We’ll shoot the lawyers as well.”
Lincoln boomed a high-pitched laugh. Inappropriate to the moment, thought McClellan.
“That reminds me of the story of the lawyer, the debutante, and the devil.”
McClellan interrupted. “Mr. President, I know your time is valuable. Now that General Grant has joined us, should we not discuss the chain of command, and plans to capture Richmond?”
The smile left Lincoln’s face. He shot a quick glance at Grant, who was looking at his boots. “Indeed, we should, General. Indeed, we should.”