toward the map and motioned with his hand.
"A broad sweeping march down the Cumberland Valley. To turn our flank, perhaps even spring into Virginia."
Lee did not reply. Hood had raised a point. He next turned to Jeb.
"General Stuart? Your opinion."
"Most likely straight at us, sir. He can close in three to four days, using the intact railroad for support. Swinging down the valley will take more time, and the Yankees always are slower than us. Add in that, repairing the railroad will tie them up further. We tore that railroad in the Cumberland Valley apart for just that reason, sir, but kept the Northern Central intact in case we had to eventually move back to Harrisburg. Grant will take advantage of that and come straight at us looking for a fight."
"May I interject something, sir?" Judah Benjamin, the Confederate secretary of state, asked quietly.
"Of course, sir. I always value your opinion."
"I am not a military man, sir, but I can look at this from the political side."
"Go on, sir."
"The Lincoln administration has suffered two devastating blows in less than two months. Your victories at Union Mills and these last few days on this ground. Your victories have brought Maryland officially to our side as well."
Longstreet shifted a bit but said nothing. Only the day before Pete had spoken derisively of Maryland's failure to raise even a single division to join the ranks. Only a few thousand Marylanders had so far volunteered; the rest were taking a wait-and-see attitude.
Judah looked up at Pete and smiled.
"I know, General, you are disappointed that there has been no levy en masse by our brothers in Maryland, but remember, they have endured two years of oppression by Lincoln and his cronies."
"All the more reason for them to rally to the colors."
"That time will come."
"When the war is over and we have won," Pete- replied coolly.
"Gentlemen, let us focus on the moment," Lee interjected smoothly.
Longstreet lowered his head.
"The political pressure on Lincoln is, after what you achieved these last few days, all but overwhelming. His coalition is on the point of collapse."
"I wish to heaven he would collapse! When are they going to learn they can't beat us?" Beauregard interjected. If not for the presence of Lee, he would have used more forceful words. All those around the table would have eagerly added to them, but none dared to voice their hatred of this effort to conquer them.
"Sickles was a War Democrat, the darling of that group, and now he is defeated and in disgrace," Benjamin said.
"Does anyone know how he is?" Lee asked.
"He's in Philadelphia," Stuart said. "He'll live, but I regret to say, sir, that we just got word that General Warren died this morning in one of our field hospitals."
There was a moment of silence, someone behind Lee sighing with a whispered comment, "Damn this war."
Warren had been one of them, or rather they had once been one with him. Another comrade of West Point gone, a devout man, well liked on both sides.
Benjamin had fallen silent out of respect. At a gesture from Lee he went on. 'There is no real political motive for the War Democrats of the North to continue to support Lincoln, but there is precious little they can do at this moment to stop him. Congress is adjourned, the rats having fled when we first threatened the capital. For all practical purposes Lincoln has a dictatorship at this moment, but he must do something with that, and his lone remaining chance is Grant."
"So you think he will order Grant to come straight at us?" "No, sir, I don't," Judah said quietly. "Pray why not?"
"It's his last card. Lincoln is holding one last card, and he is now looking us straight in the eyes. Once he plays it, well, the drama will be decided as to whether that card is trump or not. I suspect he'll buy a little more time. The War Democrats can announce their withdrawal of support, riots can erupt again in New York and elsewhere, but I think our opponent will not lay that card