Lincoln smiled and nodded his head, as if he just heard a witness give him an answer he wanted.
“But why the immediacy?” asked Wells. “Won’t the drones give us ample opportunity to gather forces and attack Lee?”
“Where I come from, Mr. Secretary,” said Ashley, “a successful military operation depends on winning the hearts and minds of the enemy, as well as the hearts and minds of the people who support the enemy. Simply stated, within two, maybe three days, I think we will sap the Confederacy’s will to fight. A clear victory at Bull Run, followed immediately by the destruction of Lee’s Army and a missile attack on Richmond, and we should see a peace delegation riding into town.”
“My friend,” Lincoln said as he looked at Wells, “Captain Patterson, as usual, has shown us her wisdom.”
How will I do without this woman? Lincoln thought.
Chapter 77
“Lieutenant, would you please come up to my office,” said Ashley to Jack Thurber. She referred to him as lieutenant when she called him, and switched to Jack in her office.
“Jack, I’m nervous, and I admit it. We have so much riding on Bull Run, not only the Union but the crew of this ship. Put your investigator hat on. Have we missed anything with the Bradley conspiracy?”
“I’ve been thinking about little else, Captain. We know that his major accomplice on the ship was Chief Ray. We also know that Ray’s job was to disarm the major weapons systems. He was caught with a circuit board in his hand. We also know that Bradley’s unaware that Ray has been killed. Bradley is looking forward to Bull Run, so he can prove to the Confederacy that he disabled one of the great Gray Ships. It will win him admiral’s bars.
Ashley asked Jack to come over to the conference table. It was covered with sheets of notes she had taken from her prior talks with Jack.
“Is there anything we haven’t thought of?”
“Let’s connect the dots.” Jack said. “Suppose, just suppose, that Bradley gets cold feet and yells to the rebels to call off Bull Run because he can’t guarantee the California is harmless. We know where the rebel forces are. The Union Generals can force a battle, whether it’s called Bull Run or not, just using our drones and heavy weapons. And, we know where Lee’s Army is. This war will be over soon.”
“You’ve become quite the military strategist in the last few months, Jack.”
They were still looking at the table, their hands flat down on the surface.
As Ashley gestured toward one of the documents, their hands touched. Neither made a move to break contact. Jack moved his hand from the table surface and placed it firmly on top of Ashley’s. Ashley looked up into his eyes. Their faces came closer together, slowly but deliberately.
“Captain to the bridge, please, Captain to the bridge,” screamed the squawk box.
Ashley squeezed Jack’s hand and started for the door. She stopped suddenly, spun around, and walked back to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.
***
“What is it Lieutenant?” Ashley asked Kathy O’Gara, the officer of the deck.
“A rebel gunboat has been looking at us for awhile, about 300 yards off the port bow.”
“Has he closed his distance in the last half hour?” asked Ashley.
“No, Captain,” said O’Gara. “The only reason I called you is the protocol we’ve been following.”
“Very well,” said Ashley, also acting according to protocol, “if he gets any closer or shows any sign of hostile intent, sound general quarters and fire a warning shot from one of the five inch gun batteries.”
When Ashley returned to her office, Jack had gone. He didn’t know how long Ashley would be on the bridge, and he thought it would be inappropriate for him to stay, and he was right. Ashley realized she had crossed a line with that kiss, ratcheted things up to a different level, and probably violated a few dozen Navy Regulations. I don’t care, thought Ashley. Let’s just finish this and go home.
Chapter 78
The First Battle of Bull Run, known in the South as the First Manassas, saw two inexperienced armies facing each other. As the day of battle approached, Northern leadership expected a solid thrashing of the rag tag rebels. Even in the South, few believed that the Confederacy would win the day. The North expected a major start and a quick finish to the Southern rebellion. Manassas, Virginia was only 25 miles south of Washington D.C. Wealthy folks from the upper crust of Washington society as well as high placed government officials, saw the battle as a chance to witness the uppity rebels get their comeuppance. Picnic blankets were spread on a hill to afford a good view. This battle would show the rebels a thing or two.
It didn’t happen that way. A certain Union victory, according to the history books, turned into an embarrassing rout of the Northern forces. Because of the inexperience of his troops and especially of his officers, McDowell’s forces couldn’t execute coordinated movements that would have insured a Union victory.
The USS California would change all that.
***
Confederate President Jefferson Davis had made the 80-mile train trip from Richmond to Manassas early on July 20. He wanted to see his forces in action first hand.
That same day, the day before the actual battle, one of the California’s drones spotted a train advancing toward Manassas. The train carried a brigade of General Joseph Johnston’s Army of the Shenandoah to reinforce Beauregard’s forces. As the train approached a railway bridge, the drone unleashed a Hellfire missile at the locomotive. The missile exploded inside of the locomotive’s engine, sending a plume of smoke and fire in all directions. The cars carrying the troops collapsed over the bridge in loud clashing accordion of death. Captain Patterson then ordered the launch of a Tomahawk cruise missile at the bridge itself. The missile smashed the bridge into a jumble of steel girders and exploding railway cars. It would be the last of Beauregard’s plan for reinforcements from General Johnston in the Shenandoah Valley.
McDowell’s troops began their advance in the early morning hours of July 21. The first drone had been replaced by another. It hovered over an area that showed a Union artillery emplacement of 11 guns facing off against a Confederate battery of 13 guns. The Confederate cannons were smooth bore, unlike the more advanced rifled barrels of the Union. This was an advantage for the South because smooth bore guns are more effective at close range. Another Tomahawk missile came screaming into the battle. All of the Confederate cannons were blown into small pieces, along with dozens of Confederate soldiers.
At 12:30 in the afternoon, a cavalry brigade led by the dashing Colonel James “Jeb” Stuart, prepared to rush a Union infantry brigade with a head-on charge. As Stuart raised his sword and shouted “Charge,” Lt. Russ Colombo, pilot of the Apache Attack Helicopter, unleashed a barrage of bullets and two Hellfire missiles at the amassed cavalry. Men and horses scattered over the huge field. The survivors, deafened by the explosions, retreated in disarray.
An hour later Bob Nathan, the drone pilot saw a battery of 20 Confederate artillery pieces being wheeled around a hill. He could see that they were 10-inch Napoleon guns, fearsome weapons against an infantry unit. Another Tomahawk cruise missile roared from the California. It decimated the artillery battery and left a deep crater in the hillside.
Shortly after that, the drone spotted 12 caissons loaded with ammunition boxes. They had been hidden under a stand of trees because someone in the Confederate force had quickly learned about the danger of overhead drones. The drone was out of Hellfire missiles, so Captain Patterson ordered a Tomahawk fired at the munitions. The explosion was deafening, compounded by the gunpowder in the boxes.
Jefferson Davis was almost blind with rage. He had been assured by Bradley, that heathen Yankee bastard, that the weapons of the Gray Ship had been silenced. Bradley supposedly had a colleague aboard who was in charge of that mission. Davis and Beauregard had discussed cancelling this battle weeks ago. Bradley’s words of assurance had changed his mind and possibly the fu
ture of the Confederacy itself.
***
Phillip Bradley reported to the Confederate Navy Department to discuss the Union naval blockade with Navy Secretary Mallory. That morning he wore his new uniform as a captain in the Confederate Navy. A full-length mirror hung in the room adjacent to Mallory’s office, and Bradley looked at himself approvingly. He had begun to grow a mustache, which he would train into a handlebar. He began to feel comfortable in the nineteenth-century. Bradley was confident that Chief Ray had ensured a Southern victory at Bull Run, and the battle would soon be as good as over.
An aide escorted Bradley into Secretary Mallory’s office. Mallory listened to his ideas. He was curious that the Gray Ships only appeared one at a time, and asked Bradley to give an explanation. Bradley’s response was confusing and convoluted, as Mallory expected it would be.
Suddenly, Mallory’s aide burst into the room.
“Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Secretary,” said the aide, “but this message has just been wired from President Davis.”
Mallory read the cable. “Arrest Bradley,” said the message.
***
At Manassas Junction, the day was not going well for Beauregard’s Army. With little artillery left and no reinforcements as expected, General Beauregard ordered his Army to retreat. Jefferson Davis, having stationed himself at Beauregard’s command tent, objected with fury. Beauregard repeated the grim details of their circumstances. No artillery, no reinforcements, a weakened cavalry.
“Sir, my men must live to fight another day,” Beauregard said to Davis, who hesitated but then agreed.
The Battle of Bull Run was an overwhelming tactical and strategic victory for the Union. The history books had been rewritten.
Chapter 79
Phillip Bradley looked out over the Richmond waterfront toward the James River. It was a pleasant summer morning, with a temperature in the mid 70s and a gentle breeze off the river. The humidity had yet to percolate. The river ran fast on the incoming tide, sparkling in the bright sun.
He watched a flock of seagulls loudly greeting an arriving fishing boat, swooping and squabbling over the morning’s offerings.
“Ready!” shouted the young Lieutenant.
Bradley wondered why seagulls set up such a commotion when they spotted food. Why squawk so much, why not just eat?
“Aim!”
Maybe they’re yelling at their friends, worried about being betrayed, Bradley thought.
“Fire!” shouted the Lieutenant.
Bradley’s body slumped toward the ground, held up by the ropes entwined around the execution post.
The young Lieutenant ordered the firing squad dismissed. The burial detail began their grim assignment.
Chapter 80
At 1700 hours Captain Patterson ordered the California to steer toward Richmond and the encampment of the Army of Northern Virginia. The ship would arrive at its destination after darkness and would attack at dawn.
Ashley walked from her office to the bridge. As she rounded a corner in the companionway, Jack Thurber was heading the other way. They almost collided. They looked into each other’s eyes, and they both wished they could resume where they left off.
“Well Jack, we’ve changed history,” Ashley said softly. “Pretty soon we’ll commence Operation Wormhole.”
Jack laughed. “Why does everything we do need to have the word ‘operation’ in front of it?”
“It’s the Navy way, Jack,” Ashley said, smiling. “It helps us to focus on our mission. And I’ve just come up with another operation.”
“And what would that be?”
“It will be a very exciting mission, Jack, one that I’ve been thinking about for quite a while. I’m calling it, “Operation Jack and Ashley Take Some Time Off and Get to Know Each Other.” And show each other the love that we both feel, she thought.
“May I volunteer to take command of that operation, Captain?”
“I think you’re the perfect man for the mission, Lieutenant.”
Ashley looked both ways. Seeing no one, she leaned over, held Jack’s face in her hands and kissed him. Jack wrapped his arms around her and they caressed, still kissing while they leaned against a bulkhead. She then continued on her way to the bridge, stroking Jack's face as she walked away.
***
Ashley entered the bridge smiling from ear to ear, wearing what a vulgar sailor would call “a shit eating grin.”
“You look happy this evening, Captain,” said Ivan Campbell.
“Oh, yeah, Bull Run and all that,” Ashley mumbled. Not to mention Operation Jack and Ashley.
Chapter 81
At 0515, just after sunrise, the California was on location off the southern coast of the Delmarva Peninsula, about 110 miles east of Richmond, Virginia. Captain Patterson was in CIC, along with Lt. Conroy. The sky was clear except for a line of clouds moving from the southeast. Ashley knew they would need to act soon because laser homing technology is affected by clouds. She had ordered a drone launch three hours before.
Lt. Bob Nathan, one of the drone pilots, stared at the screen. Ashley had chosen him specifically for the job because of his experience and skill. He also showed a steely professionalism. Piloting a drone, especially one armed with missiles, is a stressful job. It’s not like playing a video game. The pilot knows that he can pour death from above with the click of a button.
“You did a hell of a job yesterday at Bull Run, Bob. I’m putting you in for a medal and a promotion.” Hopefully it will take place in the twenty-first century, Ashley thought.
Nathan flew the drone over the camp of the Army of Northern Virginia. Conroy confirmed what he saw on the screen from the photos he had taken while on the SEAL mission. In front of them appeared the artillery park the size of a football field.
“Isn’t it dumb to place artillery so close together to make such a convenient target?” Ashley asked Conroy.
“Yes, ma’am, it is. The idea is to enable the guns to be closely guarded against sabotage. But that idea is out the window with aerial warfare. Even as late as December 7, 1941, people still thought that you should cluster your assets for security. Dozens of American planes were destroyed on Ford Island during the attack on Pearl Harbor, clustered in groups, using that same outmoded doctrine. Yes, it’s dumb. I guess Robert E. Lee hasn’t heard of our capabilities.”
“He’ll hear soon,” said Ashley.
She told Nathan to lock his laser sights on the upper third of the artillery park. Because of the size of the field she would launch three Tomahawks at the park.
“Battery three, advise when ready,” said Ashley
“Battery three ready, Captain.”
“Fire one!”
The ship rumbled as the cruise missile roared toward its target.
The Tomahawk scored a direct hit on the upper section of the field. The Captain waited until the smoke cleared to get a view of the damage. What had been neat rows and columns of artillery pieces looked like fireplace kindling.
Ashley then ordered another missile launch, this time toward the bottom of the field. Same result. After they viewed the damage from the third Tomahawk, they could see that Robert E. Lee had virtually no artillery left.
Ashley told Nathan to focus on the huge area of ammunition carts. She ordered a fourth Tomahawk fired at the ammo. The explosion, which they viewed on Nathan’s screen, was fearsome. It was almost 15 minutes before they could assess the damage because of so much smoke. When it finally cleared, they saw that the ammunition dump was now a very large crater.
As a parting shot at Lee’s Army, Ashley ordered Nathan to shoot his Hellfire missile at the command tent. The tent went up in a confusion of fire, smoke, debris, and canvas. Lee was not in the tent at the time, although no one could tell.
***
The final part of their mission was to attack the large Armory in Richmond. The drone hovered over the site within a few minutes. The clouds had not yet moved in, so their laser guidance was still good to
go.
Based on planning with both Conroy and Andrea Rubin, the weapons officer, Ashley decided to use two Harpoon ship-to-ship missiles and one Tomahawk on the target. The Harpoons are made to penetrate the hull of a ship, and would work their destruction on a building as well.
An actor named John Wilkes Booth walked in front of the Armory on his way to a rehearsal for a play in which he would soon star. He heard an odd sound in the sky and looked up. In the final moments of his life he admired the beauty and speed of the strange machine as it rocketed over his head toward its target.
The resulting explosion was so large and dramatic it almost looked like a nuclear blast. The Armory and its contents were reduced to rubble, as was a large part of the Richmond waterfront. At the old Customs House, the Executive Office Building a few blocks away, the Armory attack spread its violence. The shock wave smashed the windows along the side of the building facing the Armory, and large cracks appeared in the walls. The impact on the building was similar to the after effects of an earthquake. On Lincoln’s specific orders, the Executive Office Building was not targeted. Lincoln wanted to have plenty of Confederate government officials to bear witness to the Armory’s destruction.
A British blockade runner had dropped anchor in the middle of the James River, having made it through the Union blockade to deliver its cargo. Not far from the British ship were three Confederate gunboats, also swinging on their anchors. All four vessels were destroyed by the firestorm of debris hurled from the Armory.
After the last two days, Ashley thought, can the South possibly want to continue this war?
Chapter 82
Jefferson Davis got his first hand view of the war at the Battle of Manassas. A graduate of West Point and former United States Secretary of War in the Pierce Administration, Davis was no dilettante in military affairs. Known for his stubbornness, he was nevertheless a realist.
Box Set - The Time Magnet Series Page 21
