by Crowe (epub)
“I took the short way.”
“The short way?”
“Sure,” said Johnny. “I saw you was taking the long way ‘round, comin’ up the hill from the back side, so I took the short way.”
General Stuart shook his head, not comprehending.
“The short way, sir. Straight up.”
Right away, General Stuart saw the value in having Johnny around. Like he had proved in their first meeting, Johnny could run just as fast as any horse, faster than most, and get to places no rider would dare try. The mounted men were amazed at the places Johnny led them, the boy scouting ahead and picking out the best path for the soldiers to take. Just as General Lee relied upon Stuart to be the eyes and ears of the army, so Stuart relied upon Johnny to be the same for his cavalry. It wasn’t long before General Stuart came to regard Johnny as the best scout in the Confederate army.
At first the men tried to pry Johnny’s secret from him; what was it that made him so fast? It was clear that Johnny was uncomfortable with the subject. He hadn’t forgotten what happened once the troops found out about his arm, which remained cold and dead at his side. General Stuart told the men to ease up and leave the boy alone, much to Johnny’s relief. It seemed that his secret would be safe as long as he remained by the General’s side.
One morning in mid-June, Johnny awoke to find a new energy in camp. The cavalry was used to always being on the go, sleeping in unimaginable conditions in order to keep the enemy blind to their position. Their latest scouting mission complete, Stuart’s men had spent the past few days in camp, awaiting new orders. Having gotten a little rest rejuvenated the men and their horses, none more so than General Stuart himself. On the second day in camp, Johnny noticed a change in the General. Stuart seemed restless when he strolled through the camp. At the same time, he was distant. On one occasion Johnny had to call to the General three times before he got Stuart’s attention. Johnny was troubled at the change in the General, but one of the veterans pulled him aside and told him give the General some room to think, that this was how he behaved when he was stuck at camp and looking for something to do. According to the veteran, the General was concocting some sort of plan. Johnny had heard of the General’s reputation for being a bit of a show off and gave Stuart his time alone, waiting with equal parts excitement and nervousness for the General to announce their next move.
Johnny didn’t have to wait long.
General Stuart called the men together right after breakfast on their third morning I camp. “Men, General Lee has expressed that he would like to know whether the right flank of the enemy is vulnerable.” A mischievous smile spread across his face. “I have volunteered our services to the General, and while he was doubtful, we have agreed on a certain course of action.”
Johnny tried to follow what the General was saying. He had never been much for long speeches.
“We will ride forth and gauge our enemy’s size and position for the good General. We will be on the move through hostile territory for the better part of June, maybe even all of July. The chances to replenish our stores will be few and far between, so pack accordingly. We will move out within the hour.”
Stuart knew the hearts of his men very well and his words had the intended effect on them. The soldiers hustled throughout the camp, packing their gear and saddling their horses with an efficiency that spoke how well they had understood both what the General had said and what he had left unsaid. They had ridden with the General before and knew from his demeanor that the General had something more in mind than just a scouting run.
All that Johnny had was stowed in his backpack. Serving under Stuart had taught him to only unpack what he needed when he needed it. He had no horse to saddle, so Johnny moved through the camp, lending a hand where he could. Before long he had made his way to General Stuart’s tent. The General was saddling his own horse; he never had an aide do it for him, preferring to see to the animal personally. Johnny had seen the General’s routine before, but still watched from a distance, impressed with the meticulous care the General took when preparing to ride. Stuart looked up and caught sight of Johnny. The General smiled and waved him over.
“This is going to be a long ride,” Stuart said. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
Johnny nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Stuart nodded back, trusting that Johnny knew his own abilities better than anyone. General Stuart had learned that if Johnny said he could do something, no matter how improbable, then it was a good bet that the boy was right.
“Good,” Stuart said, buckling the saddle. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Johnny stared down at the toes of his boots and felt his face flush. There was nothing more satisfying to Johnny than the General’s approval.
“You know, I’m counting on you to set the pace for us on this little ride.”
“Me?”
“That’s right. You’re the best I’ve got, son. Sure, these men are ready to head out now, but after a couple of days they’re going to start dragging, and we can’t have that. I know I put on a little show back there for General Lee and the boys, but the truth is that this army needs us to get out there, find out what we can, and get back here with that information as quickly as possible. When these men start to slow down, I’m going to need you out there pushing them on.”
He tried to say something, anything, to let the General know how proud he was to serve and how he wouldn’t let the General down, but only choked on the words that wouldn’t come. General Stuart clapped him on the back, mounted his horse, and rode out to the front of the gathering line of riders.
The ride took the rest of the month of June and the first half of the month of July. Stuart’s men covered one hundred and fifty miles in that time, an unheard of feat. When the men wore out, just like the General had said they would, Johnny urged them forward. Though long, the ride was smooth. They encountered no serious opposition along the way, thanks in large part to Johnny, who scouted ahead of the pack of riders and kept the General aware of the enemy’s position.
Having received no word from Stuart for over three weeks, General Lee began to become impatient. He valued Stuart’s experience and the work he was doing, but had started to fear that the worst had happened and Stuart was either dead or captured. On the fifteenth of July, just as Lee was about to send a party to see if they could find out what had become of Stuart, the cavalry returned. Stuart’s men led a procession of one hundred and sixty-five captured Union soldiers, two hundred and sixty mules, and a wagon train of captured supplies. The men were greeted with much fanfare throughout the camp. General Stuart rode at the head of the line, waving and tipping his hat to the soldiers they passed. His return made Stuart the darling of the Southern newspapers, rivaled only by General Jackson in the hearts and minds of the army and citizens alike.
None of those newspaper articles ever made mention of the boy who walked by the General’s side, and that was fine with Johnny. He had let his pride get in the way before, and that had cost him his legs. Able to set his ego aside, Johnny had found his purpose. Far away from the front lines and the intimate horrors of the fighting, Johnny served with patience and humility at the Generals side.
Johnny and General Stuart stood outside of the big tent, in the fading July sunlight, waiting to be received. The General took Johnny with him wherever he went now. Most just assumed that Johnny was an aide or a secretary. It was clear that Stuart favored the boy, but no one outside of the cavalry had any idea of the boy’s true value to Stuart and the army. Johnny held his head high when he walked by the General’s side and wondered what the folks back home would have said if they could see him here with Stuart. How proud would Anna Lee be of him now?
The tent flaps parted and out stepped General Lee. General Stuart removed his hat and made a sweeping bow, the feather in his hatband grazing the ground. Johnny stood frozen, unable to move. He had never met Gene
ral Lee before, not that he had known it at least, but recognized the kind old gentleman from the Spotswood Hotel at once. Here was the man who had suggested to Johnny that he join up with the Honor Guard outside of Richmond. General Lee smiled at Stuart’s grand performance, but gave no sign of recognizing Johnny.
General Stuart’s elbow shot out, nudging Johnny in the ribs. Johnny looked over at Stuart, who mouthed the word “salute” to him, then snapped to attention and saluted General Lee.
General Lee laughed and waved a hand at the two of them. Stuart stood, replacing his hat, and Johnny relaxed a little.
“The newspapers tell quite a story.” General Lee said, placing his hands behind his back, making his way through the camp. Stuart and Johnny stepped in line beside him.
“Yes,” replied Stuart. “A handsome man, full of cunning, leading his troops in a wild ride for glory, doing circles around the Union army.”
General Lee looked at Stuart and raised an eyebrow.
“I might have read some of that,” added Stuart.
“Read it? Might have written some of it,” said Lee.
General Stuart removed his hat and bowed again. Confused by the exchange, Johnny snapped to attention and saluted, following Stuart’s lead. Both men smiled at Johnny as they continued on.
“That was good work that you did,” said Lee. “Maybe a little foolish, but good. It might not be a bad thing that the newspapers have someone else to hound. Might take a little attention off of General Jackson.”
Stuart nodded. Jackson wasn’t one for the press and was uncomfortable with all the attention he had gotten.
“The reason I called you here,” continued Lee, “is because of a letter I received today from President Davis. Folks back home are hearing about what’s going on, know that we’re really at war, and that this thing is bound to last a while longer than they had hoped.” General Lee sighed. “Now that the immediate threat has been removed from the gates of the capital, people are beginning to ask for news about their loved ones.”
“They want to know if they’re among the dead or wounded,” said Stuart, who had stopped walking.
Lee turned to face him. “That’s right,” he said. “And we have a responsibility to inform them. I have been asked to send a few men back to Richmond to serve letters to the families of the deceased. Your name was brought up, of course, seeing as how everyone thinks you’ve got the best men for the job. I’m asking you to choose a few men to head back to Richmond.”
Stuart shook his head. “You know I can’t afford to send any of my men. You’ve seen my report. The enemy greatly outnumbers us as it is… we can’t afford to take our soldiers and turn them into letter carriers.”
“And yet, it is the duty of the War Department to notify the families of the deceased. We owe it to the men who have served this army and their families.”
Stuart thought about what Lee had said. The issue was not open to debate.
“I’m not asking you to send your fastest or your best,” said Lee, “just numbers. Ten men from your division. I’ll be asking the other Generals for their support as well.”
“My fastest,” Stuart mumbled. “My best…”
“You may not have to ask the others, sir,” said Stuart. “What if I can give you one that can cover more ground than any ten men?”
Johnny stood on the steps, looking once more up at the sign that read Spotswood Hotel. It was hard to believe that it had only been four months ago that he sat on these very same steps and considered turning around and going home. Sure, he had lost the use of his left arm, but now the very man who had pulled him out of his funk back then and sent him to join the Honor Guard, the General Lee, had handpicked him to serve the War Department in this latest mission. What was the loss of a limb compared with the honor he had been given? He opened the door, expecting to have to fight his way through the chaos of the Confederate army’s main military office. Johnny couldn’t help but wonder what Anna Lee would think of him now.
To his surprise, the hotel wasn’t busy at all.
Johnny crossed the entryway and nodded to the hotel clerk, who appeared confused by the appearance of the Confederate soldier. He walked down the hallway just the same as he had with General Lee, passing hotel staff and assorted travelers and occupants leaving their rooms to attend to their business or to simply take in the sight of Richmond after dark. There wasn’t a single officer in sight.
He reached the end of the hallway and paused before the door to what had then been the General’s office. There had been aide stationed here the first time, but that desk was gone. Johnny had seen the aide just days before and knew that those men who had served the General here were now camped with the rest of the army north of the city. Johnny knocked on the door to the big office and it swung open. He cleared his throat to make his presence known, then peeked through the doorway. The office was empty.
Puzzled, Johnny retraced his steps and found the front desk clerk.
“War Department?” the clerk asked. “Yeah, it was moved when General Lee and his staff lit out. Let me show you where it is now.”
The clerk placed a sign on the desk, indicating that he would be right back, and walked Johnny to the back of the hotel. They moved down an adjacent hall, where the clerk stopped and fumbled with a ring of keys, before finding the one that opened a locked door. The clerk held the door open and motioned Johnny inside. They had left the splendor of the old building, and entered the belly of the hotel, a place hidden from the public eye. Johnny felt a little like he had the first time that Anna Lee had unfastened the top few buttons of her long, puritan dress in front of him and exposed her naked shoulders to the sun; like he was seeing something he wasn’t supposed to. The clerk led them past the kitchen, which was busy cleaning up from the dinner rush, and beyond closets tucked full of the assorted things it took to keep the hotel looking and running its best. The two turned down a darkened hallway, the only light was what little spilled out of an open doorway next to the boiler room. The clerk didn’t bother to knock when he entered the small office with Johnny in tow.
Johnny recognized the desk as the one that had sat outside of General Lee’s office the last time he had visited the Spotswood. It took up most of the space in the tiny office. Judging from the scuff marks on the doorframe, it had barely fit inside and now dominated the little space. Mountainous piles of paper were strewn about the room, so much that Johnny didn’t see the man behind the desk until he stood and spoke.
“May I help you?” the man asked. He was a tall, thin gentleman, but the Confederate uniform fit him well. The older man smoothed his jacket, not that Johnny could see any creases or wrinkles, and peered over the top of his glasses at the two visitors.
“Johnny Crowe, reporting for duty.”
The thin man bent and rummaged through the nearest pile of forms and letters, scattering them about. “Crowe. Crowe,” he muttered to himself. Johnny watched the whirlwind of papers fly about and settle into new piles on the floor.
“Uh, General Lee sent me. I’m to ---”
“Yes, yes… here it is. Johnny Crowe. Serve notices to the next of kin --- oh!” he exclaimed. “Well, you’re early. I wasn’t expecting you for another day at the least.”
“I travel fast,” Johnny replied. It was true. Once he was out of the camp and away from the eyes of the soldiers he really let loose, running faster than he ever had with the cavalry. He had always checked his pace because he didn’t want to invite more questions than were necessary, but on his own, Johnny had really opened up, wanting to see just how fast he could go. He had sprinted all the way to Richmond.
The clerk excused himself from the office, leaving Johnny and the officer alone.
“I’d offer you a chair,” the older man said, “but there isn’t room for one. Not that we get many visitors down here anyways. Name’s Cortland.” The g
entleman offered his hand and Johnny shook it. “Most just call me ‘Cort’.”
“Pleased to meet you, sir.”
“Well, like I said,” Cort sighed, sitting back down. Johnny lost sight of him at first, then the largest pile of papers right in the center of the desk shifted and fell, revealing Cort once more. “I hadn’t expected you so soon, so I don’t have your first round of deliveries ready. Probably take me all day to sort through this mess and get them packed up. You come back in the morning and I’ll have them for you.”
“Yes, sir,” said Johnny. He saluted, then turned to leave, but stopped short. “Excuse me, sir,” he said, turning to face Cort. “Where should I stay, sir?”
“Hmm,” thought Cort, scratching his bald head. “I suppose you could stay here at the hotel ---”
“No, sir,” said Johnny. “Ain’t been paid once since I been in this army, and I don’t have any money on me.”
“No, I suppose not. You see what shape we’re in here… I imagine the rest of the War Department isn’t faring much better.”
“The desk clerk said that you are the War Department.”
“Well, yes. Part of it, at least.”
“He made it sound like you’re it. The whole department.”
“Did he now?” asked Cort. “Well, I’ll just have to go see Johnson over in 117 ---”
“There’s no one in 117,” said Johnny. “That’s where I went to first. There’s no one down that hall at all… not even in the big office at the end.”
“What? You let me look into this. You go on, now, and come back tomorrow. I’ll have your bag ready.”
Johnny left the office and found his way back through the hotel. The clerk waved at him and Johnny waved back, then exited the building. He stood outside on the steps for a while, breathing in the warm evening air and trying to determine where to go and what to do next. What had he done the last time he had arrived in Richmond, penniless and without a place to stay?
