The Fort: A Novel of the Revolutionary War Part 29

Moore would not waste time reloading. "March!" There were bodies at the corn's edge. Blood in the evening. A man was crawling back into the high stalks to leave a trickle of blood on the gra.s.s. Smoke was thick as fog.

"Bayonets!" Moore shouted. It was not an order, for his men already had fixed bayonets, but rather a word to frighten an already frightened enemy. "Scotland forever!" he shouted, and his men cheered and hurried through the remnants of their own powder smoke. They were driven by drums, defiance, and pride, and the rebels were running. The enemy militia were running back towards the bluff. All of them, like men running a race. Some even threw away their muskets so that they could run faster. No green uniforms, Moore noted. His Scotsmen were whooping, losing cohesion, and Moore wanted them to keep their discipline. "Company will halt," he shouted, "halt!" His sharp voice checked the redcoats. "Sergeant Mackenzie! Dress the ranks if you please. Let's at least try to look like His Majesty's soldiers, and not like His Majesty's royal ragam.u.f.fins!" Moore sounded stern, but he was grinning. He could not help it. His men were grinning too. They knew they had done well and the more experienced among them knew they had been well led. Moore waited for the ranks to be properly formed. "Company will wheel to the left!" he called. "By the left, left wheel, half!"

The Scotsmen were still grinning as they marched about to face the spectators who watched from Dyce's Head. Distant cheers sounded from Fort George. The slope ahead of Moore was full of rebels who ran, limped, or walked away. The rebel dead or wounded, four men, lay sprawled on the gra.s.s. Moore put the point of his sword into the scabbard and thrust the blade home. He gazed up the slope. You b.a.s.t.a.r.ds want our fort, he thought, then you just b.l.o.o.d.y well come and take it.

"Congratulations, Moore," Caffrae said, but for once the courteous Moore did not offer a polite reply. He was in urgent need of something else and so he went to the edge of the Dutchman's corn, unb.u.t.toned the flap of his breeches and p.i.s.sed long and hard. The company laughed, and Moore felt happier than he had ever felt. He was a soldier.

Excerpts from General Solomon Lovell's Proclamation to his troops, August 12th, 1779: We have now a Portion of our Enterprise to compleat, in which if we are successful, and I am confident we must be, being in superior numbers and having that Liberal Characteristic "Sons of Liberty and Virtue" I again repeat, we must ride triumphant over the rough diabolical Torrent of Slavery, and the Monsters sent to rivet its Chains. ... Is there a man able to bear Arms in this camp? that would hide his Face in the day of Battle; is there an American of this Character? is there a man so dest.i.tute of Honor? ... Let each man stand by his Officer, and each Officer animated, press forward to the Object in view, then shall we daunt the vaunting Enemy, who wishes to intimidate us by a little Parade, then shall we strike Terror to the Pride of Britain.

From a Despatch to Commodore Saltonstall from the Continental Navy Department, August 12th, 1779: Our Apprehensions of your danger have ever been from a Reinforcement to the Enemy. You can't expect to remain much longer without one. ... It is therefore our orders that as soon as you receive this you take the Most Effectual Measures for the Capture or Destruction of the Enemies s.h.i.+ps and with the greatest dispatch the nature and Situation of things will Admit of.

From an Order In Council, Boston, August 8th, 1779: Ordered that Thomas Cus.h.i.+ng and Samuel Adams Esqrs be a Committee to wait upon the Capt of the French Frigate to know of him whether he should be willing to proceed to Pen.o.bscot with his s.h.i.+p for the purpose of reinforcing the American fleet who reported that they had waited upon his Excellency the Chevalier De la Luzerne who informed them that he would speak with the Capt of said Frigate and if possible influence his proceeding to Pen.o.bscot.

From a report received in Boston, August 9th, 1779: Gilbert Richmond first Mate, of the Argo declares that on the 6th Instant, off Marthas Vineyard he fell in with eight sail of Vessels supposed to be of force steering So Et with a view of weathering the S. Shoal of Nantucket The Commodore carried a p.o.o.p light. The informant thinks they were about 40 Miles So of the West end of the Vineyard.

Chapter Twelve

And, suddenly, there was hope.

After the disappointment of the previous day, after the ignominious flight of the militia from an enemy force scarce a quarter its size, there was suddenly a new spirit, a second chance, an expectation of success.

Hoysteed Hacker was the cause. Captain Hacker was the tall naval captain who had captured HMS Diligent Diligent, and he was rowed ash.o.r.e at first light and climbed to the clearing in the woods that served as Lovell's headquarters. "The commodore has vanished," he told Lovell who was taking breakfast at a trestle table.

"Vanished?" Lovell gazed up at the naval captain. "How do you mean? Vanished?"

"Gone," Hacker said in his expressionless, deep voice, "vanished. He was with the sailors who were attacked yesterday, and I suppose he was captured." Hacker paused. "Maybe killed." He shrugged as if he did not much care.

"Sit down, Captain. Have you eaten?"

"I've eaten."

"Have some tea, at least. Wadsworth, did you hear this news?"

"I just did, sir."

"Sit, do," Lovell said. "Filmer? A cup for Captain Hacker." Wadsworth and Todd were sharing the bench opposite Lovell. Hacker sat beside the general who gazed at the big, impa.s.sive naval officer as if he were Gabriel bringing news from heaven. Fog drifted through the high trees. "Dear me," Lovell finally comprehended the news, "so the commodore is captured?" He did not sound in the least dismayed.

"Or killed," Hacker said.

"Does that make you the senior naval officer?" Lovell asked.

"It does, sir."

"How did it happen?" Wadsworth asked, and listened as Hacker described the unexpected attack by the British marines who had driven the sailors southwards from the battery on Haney's land. The commodore had been separated from the rest who had all made it safely back to the river's bank south of Cross Island. "So no casualties?" Wadsworth asked.

"None, sir, except perhaps the commodore. He might have been hurt."

"Or worse," Lovell said, then added hastily, "pray G.o.d it isn't so."

"Pray G.o.d," Hacker said equally dutifully.

Lovell flinched as he bit into some twice-baked bread. "But you," he asked, "you are now in command of the fleet?"

"I reckon so, sir."

"You've taken command of the Warren Warren?" Wadsworth asked.

"Not formally, sir, no, but I'm the senior naval officer now, so I'll move to the Warren Warren this morning." this morning."

"Well, if you commmand the fleet," Lovell said sternly, "I must make a request of you."

"Sir?" Hacker asked.

"I must ask you, Captain, to attack the enemy s.h.i.+pping."

"That's why I came here," Hacker said stolidly.

"You did?" Lovell seemed surprised.

"Seems to me, sir, we should attack soon. Today." Hacker pulled a ragged piece of paper from his pocket and spread it on the table. "Can I suggest a method, sir?"

"Please," Lovell said.

The paper was a pencil-drawn chart of the harbor which marked the enemy's four s.h.i.+ps, though Hacker had put a cross over the hull of the Saint Helena Saint Helena, the transport which lay at the southern end of Mowat's line. She was only there to stop the Americans sailing around Mowat's flank and her armament of six small guns was too light to be a cause of concern. "We have to attack the three sloops," Hacker said, "so I propose taking the Warren Warren in to attack the in to attack the Albany Albany." He tapped the chart, indicating the central sloop of Mowat's three wars.h.i.+ps. "I'll be supported by the General Putnam General Putnam and the and the Hampden Hampden. They'll anchor abreast of the North North and and Nautilus Nautilus, sir, and give them fire. The General Putnam General Putnam and and Hampden Hampden will be hit hard, sir, it's unavoidable, but I believe the will be hit hard, sir, it's unavoidable, but I believe the Warren Warren will crush the will crush the Albany Albany quickly enough and then we can use our heavy guns to force the surrender of the other two sloops." Hacker spoke in an expressionless tone which gave the impression of a slow mind, an impression that Wadsworth realized was quite false. Hacker had given the problem a great deal of impressive thought. "Now, sir," the naval captain continued, "the commodore's concern was always the fort and its guns. They can plunge shot down into our s.h.i.+ps and for all we know they might have heated shot, sir." quickly enough and then we can use our heavy guns to force the surrender of the other two sloops." Hacker spoke in an expressionless tone which gave the impression of a slow mind, an impression that Wadsworth realized was quite false. Hacker had given the problem a great deal of impressive thought. "Now, sir," the naval captain continued, "the commodore's concern was always the fort and its guns. They can plunge shot down into our s.h.i.+ps and for all we know they might have heated shot, sir."

"Heated?" Lovell asked.

"Not a pleasant thought, sir," Hacker said. "If a red-hot shot lodges in a s.h.i.+p's timber, sir, it can start a fire. s.h.i.+ps and fire aren't the best of friends, so I want to keep the enemy's shots away from the leading s.h.i.+ps as far as that's possible. "I'm proposing that the Sally, Vengeance, Black Prince, Hector, Monmouth, Sky Rocket, Sally, Vengeance, Black Prince, Hector, Monmouth, Sky Rocket, and and Hunter Hunter should follow us into the harbor and make a line of battle here." He indicated a dotted line which he had drawn parallel to the harbor's northern sh.o.r.e. "They can shoot up at the fort, sir. They'll do little enough damage, but they should distract the enemy gunners, sir, and draw their fire away from the should follow us into the harbor and make a line of battle here." He indicated a dotted line which he had drawn parallel to the harbor's northern sh.o.r.e. "They can shoot up at the fort, sir. They'll do little enough damage, but they should distract the enemy gunners, sir, and draw their fire away from the Warren Warren, the General Putnam, General Putnam, and and Hampden Hampden."

"This is feasible?" Lovell asked, scarcely daring to believe what he was hearing.

"Tide's right this afternoon," Hacker said in a very matter-of-fact voice. "I reckon it will taken an hour and a half to get the first three s.h.i.+ps into position and an hour's work to destroy their sloops. But I'm worried that we'll have the best part of our fleet in the harbor, sir, and even after we've taken the enemy vessels we'll still be under the cannons in their fort."

"So you want us to attack the fort?" Wadsworth guessed.

"I think that's advisable, sir," Hacker said respectfully, "and I plan to put one hundred marines ash.o.r.e, sir, to aid your endeavor. Might I suggest they occupy the lower ground with some of your militia?" He put a broad, tar-stained finger on the map, indicating the land between the fort and the British s.h.i.+ps.

"Why that ground?" Lovell asked.

"To prevent the enemy's marines coming ash.o.r.e from the defeated s.h.i.+ps," Hacker explained, "and if our marines a.s.sault the fort from the south, sir, then the rest of your forces can attack from the west."

"Yes," Peleg Wadsworth said enthusiastically, "yes!"

Lovell was silent. The fog was too thick to allow any gunner to shoot accurately so the cannons of both sides were quiet. A gull called. Lovell was remembering the shame of the previous day, the sight of McCobb's militia running away. He flinched at the memory.

"It will be different this time," Wadsworth said. He had been watching Lovell's face and had divined the general's thoughts.

"In what manner?" Lovell asked.

"We've never used all our men to attack the fort, sir," Wadsworth said. "We've only attacked the enemy piecemeal. This time we use all our strength! How many cannon will we take into the harbor?" This question was put to Hoysteed Hacker.

"Those s.h.i.+ps," Hacker put a tar-stained finger on his chart, "will carry over two hundred cannon, sir, so say a hundred guns in broadside."

"A hundred cannon, sir," Wadsworth said to Lovell. "A hundred cannon filling the harbor! The noise alone will distract the enemy. And the marines, sir, leading the way. We hurl a thousand men against the enemy, all at once!"

"It should get the business done," Hacker said in much the same tone he might have used to describe striking down a topmast or s.h.i.+fting a ton of ballast.

"A hundred marines," Lovell said in a plaintive voice that made it clear he would have preferred to have all the marines ash.o.r.e.

"I need some to board the enemy s.h.i.+ps," Hacker said.

"Of course, of course," Lovell conceded.

"But the marines are begging for a good fight," Hacker growled. "They can't wait to prove themselves. And just as soon as the enemy s.h.i.+ps are taken or destroyed, sir, I'll order the rest of the marines and every sailor I can spare to join your a.s.sault."

"s.h.i.+ps and men, sir," Wadsworth said, "fighting as one."

Lovell's gaze flicked uncertainly between Wadsworth and Hacker. "And you think it can be done?" he asked the naval captain.

"Soon as the tide floods," Hacker, said, "which it will this afternoon."

"Then let it be done!" Lovell decided. He planted both fists on the table. "Let us finish the job! Let us take our victory!"

"Sir? Captain Hacker, sir?" A mids.h.i.+pman appeared at the edge of the clearing. "Sir?"

"Boy!" Hacker acknowledged the breathless lad. "What is it?"

"Commodore Saltonstall's compliments, sir, and will you return to the Providence Providence, sir."

The men at the table all stared at the boy. "Commodore Saltonstall?" Lovell eventually broke the silence.

"He was discovered this morning, sir."

"Discovered?" Lovell asked in a hollow voice.

"On the riverbank, sir!" The mids.h.i.+pman appeared to believe he had brought good news. "He's safe on board the Warren Warren, sir."

"Tell him ..." Lovell said, then could not think what he wanted to say to Saltonstall.

"Sir?"

"Nothing, lad, nothing."

Hoysteed Hacker slowly crumpled the hand-drawn chart and tossed it onto the campfire. The first gun of the new day fired.

Lieutenant John Moore, paymaster to His Majesty's 82nd Regiment of Foot, knocked nervously on the house door. A cat watched him from the log pile. Three chickens, carefully penned by laced withies, clucked at him. In the garden of the next door house, the one nearer the harbor, a woman beat a rug that was hanging from a line suspended between two trees. She watched him as suspiciously as the cat. Moore raised his hat to the woman, but she turned away from the courtesy and beat dust from the rug even more energetically. A gun fired from the fort, its sound m.u.f.fled by the trees surrounding the small log houses.

Bethany Fletcher opened the door. She was wearing a shabby brown dress beneath a white ap.r.o.n on which she wiped her hands, which were red from scrubbing clothes. Her hair was disarrayed and John Moore thought she was beautiful. "Lieutenant," she said in surprise, blinking in the daylight.

"Miss Fletcher," Moore said, bowing and removing his hat.

"You bring news?" Beth asked, suddenly anxious.

"No," Moore said, "no news. I brought you this." He held a basket towards her. "It's from General McLean, with his compliments." The basket contained a ham, a small bag of salt, and a bottle of wine.

"Why?" Beth asked, without taking the gift.

"The general is fond of you," Moore said. He had discovered the courage to face four times as many rebels as the men he led, but he had no courage to add "as am I." "He knows life is hard for you and your mother, Miss Fletcher," he explained instead, "especially with your brother absent."

"Yes," Beth said, but still did not take the proffered gift. She had never refused the simpler rations offered by the garrison to the inhabitants of Majabigwaduce, the flour, salted beef, dried peas, rice, and spruce beer, but McLean's generosity embarra.s.sed her. She walked a few paces further from the house so that her neighbor could see her clearly. She wanted to give no excuse for any gossip.

"The wine is port wine," Moore said. "Have you ever tasted port wine?"

"No," Beth said, fl.u.s.tered.

"It is stronger than claret," Moore said, "and sweeter. The general is fond of it. He served in Portugal and acquired a taste for the wine which is said to be a tonic. My father is a doctor and he frequently prescribes port wine. Can I put it here?" Moore placed the basket on the threshold of the house. Inside, beyond an open inner door, he had a glimpse of Beth's mother. Her face was sunken, still and white, her open mouth dark, and her hair straggling white on a pillow. She looked like a corpse and Moore turned away quickly. "There," he said, for lack of anything else to say.

Beth shook her head. "I cannot accept the gift, Lieutenant," she said.

"Of course you can, Miss Fletcher," Moore said with a smile.

"The general would not ..." Beth began, then evidently thought better of whatever she had been about to say and checked herself. She brushed away a stray lock of hair and tucked it under her cap. She looked anywhere but at Moore.

"General McLean would be hurt if you refused the gift," Moore said.

"I'm grateful to him," Beth said, "but ..." Again she fell silent. She took a thimble from the pocket of her ap.r.o.n and turned it in her fingers. She shrugged. "But ..." she said again, still not looking at Moore.

"But your brother fights for the rebels," Moore said.

She turned her eyes on him, and those eyes widened with surprise. Blue eyes, Moore noted, blue eyes of extraordinary vitality. "The general knows?" she asked.

"That your brother fights for the rebels? Yes, of course he knows," Moore said with a rea.s.suring smile. He stooped and recovered the thimble which had fallen from her hands. He held it out to her, but Beth made no move to take it and so, very deliberately, he placed it in the basket. Beth turned to look at the harbor through the trees. The fog was gone and Majabigwaduce's water sparkled beneath a summer sun. She stayed silent. "Miss Fletcher'" Moore began.

"No!" she interrupted him. "No, I can't accept."

"It is a gift," Moore said, "nothing more, nothing less."