Victory at Yorktown: A Novel by William R. Forstchen, Newt Gingrich Read Free Book Online Page A

General Washington as well.
    Now his noble friend stood condemned.
    “There is no offer here in this letter for a fair and proper exchange, as I knew there would not be,” Washington finally said, voice weary.
    Allen wanted to express his contempt for Arnold, a man who had left Andre to his fate, who had even left his wife behind when he realized the plot had been unmasked. Now residing in New York, even though he had come over to the Loyalist side, his manner of betrayal made him a social pariah. He was useful to their cause, but never to be accepted into polite society—if a man would betray once, he would, without doubt, betray again. At least those Loyalists who had stayed with the Crown, such as himself, had done so openly, at the start of the conflict rather than switch horses in midstream.
    Allen was, as an officer bearing a message, not graced with the latitude of discussion, debate, or appeal that would perhaps have occurred if Washington had been at a meeting of equal rank with Clinton.
    “I have received the letter you bear, Major van Dorn. You have fulfilled your mission. There is no need to send a reply to your general, since there has not been an indication on his behalf of the slightest change other than an appeal to my sense of humanity.”
    He sighed, looking up at the ceiling and then back to Allen.
    “Do you think I relish this task?” Washington asked coldly. “I want you to know that every officer you saw out in the corridor, even General Lafayette here, was impressed by Major Andre’s nobility and seeing he was simply caught in the machinations of another, have appealed for some form of leniency.”
    Allen knew better than to offer a reply.
    “Regardless of my personal feelings in this case, I am in command of all armies in the field fighting for our independence from your Crown. Personal feelings must not hold sway, must never hold sway. Such personal sentiments must never overrule what must, however regretfully, be my duty.
    “By the rules of war, a spy may be exchanged for an enemy of equal value, and that equal value is Arnold. If not, then he is to be hanged.”
    Allen could sense Lafayette stiffening slightly, drawing in his breath. Washington shot the young French general an angry glance, and Lafayette went rigid.
    “I will say this, and you may convey it to your General Clinton: Every member of the trial board spoke to me of some form of leniency, or if execution was, indeed, necessary as required by the rules of war, and that same board voted for unanimously, urged that your Major Andre face execution by firing squad rather than hanging.”
    Washington fell silent for a moment, shook his head, and then lowered it.
    “This is not revenge, Major van Dorn, but no such choice was offered to Nathan Hale, or many another man captured behind your lines in this conflict. In some cases our people have been strung up within minutes of being captured.”
    He sighed.
    “This is not revenge. These are the rules of war. I am honor bound to uphold them and it must be so.”
    Allen stood silent, and General Washington finally looked up at him and nodded.
    “Go and tell General Clinton my reply.”
    Allen swallowed hard, and was about to remove his hat again, bow, and withdraw, but then nerve took hold.
    “Then a personal request, sir, an indulgence I beg of you.”
    Washington looked at him with flash of annoyance.
    “Go on then, Major.”
    “Sir. Major Andre was my closest friend in this conflict. It was he who taught me so much about the code of honor of a soldier. May I remain with him in his last hours as a comfort.”
    Washington said nothing.
    “Sir. It would enable me to report back to my general, as well, that though he was hanged, all proper military honors were observed by you and your men, which I am certain will transpire, and perhaps in some way might make this easier for both sides.”
    Washington’s gaze drifted from Allen to Lafayette, and Allen, not daring to look, sensed that