Chapter 6

The next morning there was two feet of snow on the ground and it was still snowing but with less commitment than the night before. Guards cleared paths from headquarters to allow the modest amount of army business to continue. General Washington and his family remained inside for the morning. They were joined for breakfast by Alexander Hamilton, John Laurens and Tench Tilghman—General Washington's closest aides. A table was added to enlarge the seating in the General's office. Julie took charge of covering it and arranging makeshift centerpieces of pinecones and winterberries, which she sent poor Billy out to retrieve from the wood. The sharp smell of fresh pine soon filled the house. The young aides were amused with the socialite's presence and her command of the servants.

Elizabeth entered from the breezeway to see a smiling Hamilton meeting Lafayette descending the stairs slipping on his military coat. As she sat down in a small chair beside the door to remove her cloak and boots, she could not help hearing their conversation.

"Why are you so cheerful this morning Alexander?" Lafayette asked. "Has beef arrived in camp?"

"Non, mon ami, I am merely showing my enthusiasm for your good fortune."

"What good fortune would that be?"

Hamilton chuckled. "Why you are the envy of us all, Gilbert, holed up in this house with two beautiful young women. The very thought of them sleeping on the other side of your chamber wall must have kept you awake all night."

Lafayette tugged at the bottom of his thigh-length vest and straightened his cravat. "I assure you Mr. Hamilton, I have no designs upon those two young women. What kept me awake was an unexplained intruder upon the stairs, which apparently disappeared when I descended to acquaint myself with him."

Elizabeth caught her breath and listened closely.

Hamilton's face changed from amused to troubled. His blue eyes narrowed. "That is of concern, of course, in light of the current alert regarding the commander's safety. You could not make out who it was?"

"Non--just a large shadow."

"Perchance, his Excellency should consider having one of us aides stay downstairs while the ladies are here, to keep an eye on things."

"Alexander, I don't think his Excellency trusts any of his aides with the two young ladies."

The colonel made a growling noise in his throat.

Billy walked up and said, "Sirs, breakfast is served. His Excellency wishes your attendance."

"Thank you, Billy," Lafayette said.

Elizabeth arose and followed behind the young men. Before she entered, she caught sight of the laundress treading lightly up the stairs with a basket in her hands. She was going to strip the beds. Elizabeth caught her eye and received a strange hateful look from the haggard woman. What was the meaning of that? She was beginning to think there was more than one servant involved in the plot to assassinate Washington.

"You need to inform Tench of what you saw," Hamilton said as they walked to Washington's office.

"Of course, but do not bring it up in front of the ladies, Alexander. There's no need to frighten them."

"Ah, there they are," Washington said as the two men entered. "Gentlemen our new hostess, Julie Keating, whom I am proud to present to you, has arranged a delightful break from our fast. Let us not offend her with our tardiness."

Julie curtsied bashfully. "It is only a little decoration, General. I wouldn't be raising their hopes for more than their usual eggs and sausage. I promise to have dried fruit and nuts as well as jams and jellies brought from my estate as soon as it can be arranged." Colonel Laurens pulled Julie's chair out for her, placing her at Washington's left. Then the young colonel with a silly smile upon his handsome face sat down beside her and watched her arrange her napkin and take a sip of water. She eyed him curiously out of the corner of her eye.

"Ah, that reminds me," Washington said as he sat down at the head of the table and arranged his napkin, "have you a list to give Colonel Hamilton?"

"Why yes I do." Julie pulled a folded note from her skirt pocket and handed it to General Washington. Elizabeth thought that odd. She had been with Julie all night and morning and never saw her sit down to write a note.

Lafayette pulled a chair out for Elizabeth and then sat down at the opposite end of the table from Washington.

The commander looked over the note with raised eyebrows and then handed it to Hamilton who was at his right hand. "Alex, I need you to arrange retrieval of these items from the Keating estate."

"The roads are not passable today, sir--"

"Do it as soon as it is possible but without undo delay," Washington said with some perturbation.

"Aye, sir."

Washington turned an eye on Colonel Laurens who was leaning with his chin on his hand still infatuated with Mrs. Keating. "Colonel Laurens your food is getting cold. Do you not think it apposite to give it some of your attention?" the commander asked.

Titters traveled around the table as the red-faced young man picked up his fork and dropped his eyes to his plate. Elizabeth tried but could not contain a giggle under her breath.

After everyone began to eat, Washington announced, "I am expecting Thomas Jefferson to be visiting us this week. I don't know the exact day he will arrive. I want all of you to take care to show him the highest regard and courtesy. See to his every need without my having to tell you do to so."

"Of course, your Excellency," Colonel Tilghman said. "Is he coming for a specific purpose or just a friendly visit?"

"Politicians never do anything without a purpose, Tench," Washington said with a chuckle, which caused everyone to laugh in return. The young men made a point of laughing at their commander's jokes.

"What purpose might that be?" Colonel Laurens asked.

"I suspect he wants to find out when I am going to attack Philadelphia and drive the British out."

The aides looked at one another elatedly.

"Don't become agitated, boys," Washington said. "I have no intention of attacking Philadelphia unless provoked." The commander proceeded to attack his sausage.

"I've heard from reliable sources," Julie said, "that the British have no intention of attacking you. They know just how well protected you are."

The young men stared wide-eyed at the beautiful guest, surprised at her apparent knowledge of the mind of the British.

"It came from refugees that were at my party the other night," the lady said. "Goodness sirs, you surely don't think the British imparted their plans upon little ol' me do you?"

The men chuckled.

"Let's hope it is true," Washington said as he took a sip of water.

"Tench," Washington said, "have you made any progress in your assessment of that little matter regarding a British spy intent on snuffing me out?"

Tench stopped his fork of eggs just shy of his open mouth. He put the fork down and cleared his throat. "Ah, sir, it seems that it might be a local or a camp follower with the intention, but it is British spies in camp that are encouraging and aiding the person, as well as bragging about it."

"Indeed?" Washington said with an amused twinkle in his gray eyes. "A laundress with a grievance against me?"

Hamilton and Laurens laughed and Tilghman joined in.

Elizabeth was embarrassed for being party to the knowledge.

"Well," Tilghman continued, "we have heard it was some 'grievous crime' you committed but the exact nature of the crime has not come to light."

"You are in danger?" Julie asked concerned.

Washington reached over and patted her arm. "My dear, I am always in danger, but those many guards outside have yet to let me down."

"Oh, of course." Julie said.

"Well, do let me know when the case of the angry laundress has been concluded," Washington said dryly. "I wish to have more freedom to inspect the camp and your desire that I stay close to headquarters is becoming a hindrance to my need to lead the men with my presence."

"Of course, your Excellency," Tench said.

Washington smiled at Elizabeth then Julie. "Present company is easing my burden."

"Marquis you have barely touched your food, are you well?" Julie asked.

The young Frenchman looked up from teasing his eggs with his fork. "I am well, Mrs. Keating. I'm afraid every time I sit down in front of a plate of food my mind drifts to the men that have nothing to ease their hunger."

"General Lafayette, must you deny us a moment of respite from the condition of this camp?" Washington snapped. "We are all equally concerned about the men and are doing everything in our power to relieve it."

"Ah—sir, I-I am well aware of that. I did not mean--"

"Oh, please don't chastise him General Washington," Julie said. "It was I that caused the topic to arise. Please forgive me. Silly me, I should have guessed the cause of his lack of appetite and not questioned him."

Washington turned his angry eyes from Lafayette to smile upon his hostess.

Elizabeth wanted to puke. She was not going to enjoy the presence of Mrs. Keating one bit.


Henry awoke feeling warmer than usual, and then remembered being dragged against his will to Lafayette's cabin. He had clean sheets under him and two warm blankets keeping the chill out and he was still feeling the warm exhilarating effects of the hot bath he had the night before. The wind was no longer whipping the building. He could see daylight through small chinks in the logs around the chimney. His gaze fell upon an Indian sitting at the fire—poking it to life. Henry quickly donned his wire-frame glasses and chuckled as his vision cleared revealing merely his friend Jeremy wrapped from head to toe in a blanket with a crop of newly cleaned hair protruding like feathers from his head.

Jeremy looked back. "You are awake, Abbington?"

"Aye, unfortunately. I think I was having the first real sleep since I arrived."

"It was very comfortable last night," Jeremy said. "I feel guilty for being here."

"Aye, I do believe our dear General Lafayette, saved us from frost bite if not damnation."

"I'm afraid we are snowed-in for a while. There is two foot of snow against the door. I couldn't open it."

Henry laughed. "Well, that will give me a task to occupy myself."

"Please do. I must visit the latrine," Jeremy said.

Henry arose and dressed. His first attempt at the door proved fruitless. He pushed with his shoulder. While he was grunting at his work a voice called from outside. "Ho, wait a minute there and I'll shovel some of this away." It was Sergeant Boggs.

"That would be most appreciated, Sergeant," Jeremy yelled.

The sound of a spade slicing through ice and snow went on for several minutes. Then Boggs opened the door and stepped inside dropping bits of snow on the wood floor. "I believe you can venture out now."

"Thank you, Sergeant. I must run out for a bit. I will return," Jeremy said as he donned his coat and rushed out the door.

"How are you this morning, Mr. Abbington?" the sergeant asked.

"Quite well, sir. Jeremy and I were just commenting on how nice it was to get a full night sleep."

"Aye. I'm afraid I bring a bit of bad news this morning."

"Oh?" Henry said while looking over his round spectacles.

"Sergeant McDonald died in the night."

"Oh my." Henry closed his eyes for a moment. "That was Jeremy's cabin mate?"

"Aye."

Henry looked up with sudden concern. "What was his ailment?"

"The doctor said it was most likely pneumonia."

The cabin door swung open and Jeremy jumped back in closing it swiftly behind him. His teeth were chattering. "Going to the latrine must be the worst part of this whole ordeal," he said as he patted his arms and rushed to the fire.

Boggs chuckled. "Most of the men don't make it all the way, which explains the acrid conditions in much of the camp."

Jeremy wrinkled his nose.

"Sergeant McDonald died of pneumonia last night," Henry said.

The captain winced. "Did you say he died?"

"Aye."

Jeremy collapsed mournfully in a camp chair. "'Twas awfully sudden."

"It does seem so," the sergeant said.

"My goodness, he died alone. I should have been with him. I shouldn't have left--"

"No Jeremy," the sergeant said. "He refused medical help. You heard him yourself last night when Lafayette asked."

"He was a stubborn fool." Jeremy dropped his blond head in his hands and rubbed his face. "This is such a nightmare. Who is going to survive?"

"My advice to you both is not to dwell on it. Keep your minds busy with your mission. I have obtained some information for you."

Jeremy's face brightened with anticipation.

"None of the names of the servants you gave me matches up with the men that were shot or hung of late."

"Then we are no closer to finding the assassin," Jeremy said, dejected.

"Well, not completely," Boggs said.

"Two of the soldiers that were shot for desertion came from this area. They were born and raised here, which probably made it easy for them to think of home and a warm bed. You could talk to the men from their company that knew them and see if you can match them up to one or more of your servant suspects."

"That's a great idea. Where will I find these men?" Jeremy asked.

"Right outside the door--the troublemakers from last night."

"Oh."

"It might be wise to have me attend while you question them?" the sergeant said with a smirk.

"That would be most appreciated, Sergeant," Jeremy replied.

A gunshot rang out nearby--the men in the cabin jumped in alarm. The sergeant bolted for the door and pushed it open. There were shouts, the clatter of horse's hooves galloping away, a scuffle. Boggs turned and shouted, "Stay in the cabin, boys. Bar the door. Keep your weapons handy. There's an officer down. Looks like a mutiny." The sergeant ran out and slammed the door behind him.


A runner entered headquarters with a clatter of boots nearly running over Elizabeth as she accepted mail from a courier. He was stopped in the entry hall by Hamilton and Laurens. "It's a mutiny!" he yelled in a panic.

"Where? Who?" Hamilton asked. Lafayette and Washington walked up.

"The First Pennsylvania. They've killed a lieutenant. They're demanding food and shoes or they'll leave camp and take what they need where they find it."

"Dear God," Washington said shaking his head.

"Sir, I shall ride up there and speak with them," Lafayette said.

"I shall go with him," Hamilton said.

Washington took a deep breath. "Where is General Wayne?"

"At his quarters, sir," Hamilton said. "It is too far away under these conditions to retrieve him."

"All right. I must go with you. Send a rider to Wayne," Washington said.

"Sir, I must protest," Tilghman said. "You cannot place yourself in such danger. Those men are mad with hunger."

"Must I now fear my own men, Tench?" Washington asked.

The colonel looked for support from the other officers. "We can not lose you sir, not for a petty mutiny of the desperate. Please sir, let your aides take care of this."

"He is right, mon général," Lafayette pleaded. "You are too valuable and essential to this army. The loss of you would destroy every vestige of hope in the men. I will go with Alexander. We will hear the men's demands. I know these men."

Washington's face turned white. He looked at Lafayette and Hamilton. He placed a hand on each man's shoulder. "All right, but you must use utmost caution and prudence. Do not allow yourselves to be trapped and taken as hostages. They have murdered an officer."

Elizabeth trembled. The word mutiny brought the specter in her mind of a dark angry mob. She thought of her friends in Wayne's camp and Lafayette so willing to walk into it. He seemed so unprotected, so young, so small in comparison.

"Aye, sir," Hamilton said. "We will be careful."

Hamilton and Lafayette hurried out. Washington turned to see Julie standing frightened on the stair. "My dear, please come down. It's all right."

Julie rushed down and buried herself sobbing in Washington's embrace. "Shh…he said. "It is far away from here on the other side of camp. There is nothing to fear."

"I fear for you, my dear adopted father, and the marquis," Julie said. "Do those men want to hurt you? Do they want to hurt the marquis?"

"They want of everything required for human sustenance--the poor miserable souls."

Tears came to Elizabeth's eyes as she saw the tenderness of Washington's embrace of Julie. He smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead. The desperateness of the camp had suddenly imposed itself on this happy home. She felt silly for having imagined it as a family, a home. It was headquarters for an army that was falling apart. General Washington and all the officers were in grave danger, and so were Jeremy and Henry at Lafayette's cabin.

She walked into the front room and peered out the window towards the plateau that rose above headquarters to the south. She could see nothing but the intervening carriage house and the Dewees farm beyond and the blue tree-covered rise in the distance. There were no gunshots or shouts of warning. It was as if the snow muffled a hateful din.

Elizabeth felt a presence at her side. Looking up, she saw the worried face of Tench Tilghman who was also peering out the window over her head. "You mustn't worry about your own safety, Miss Coates. You are well protected here. Those men will take out their grievance upon their closest officers."

"Yes, sir, but my friends Jeremy and Henry are there in General Lafayette's cabin."

Tilghman nodded. "Then we must pray that they be kept safe and Hamilton and Lafayette can calm the men."


Jeremy and Henry sat facing the door, their pistols in hand. There were shouts and gunshots, but they couldn't tell from where they came or make out the words.

A banging on the cabin door caused both men to jump. The wooden latch popped up and down angrily. Rasping ragged voices assailed their ears.

"Get the door open!"

"It's barred from within."

"How can that be? No one's there, or perchance—"

"Lafayette, are you in there? You better open this door or we'll pull it down!"

The crunch of boots on snow announced the presence of a crowd of men outside the door. Jeremy looked at Henry who was shaking. He whispered, "Henry, that door looks stout enough to hold against a team of oxen."

"Oxen are not so clever as men, Jeremy."

Jeremy yelled, "The general isn't here."

"Who the devil are you?"

"Jeremy Larkin."

"Is there food in thar?"

"No. There is nothing here."

"He's lyin' else why's he barred in?"

"Hey, he's a captain. I seen him t'other night in uniform. Get an ax boys, we'll hang him from the ridge of that cabin and show them we mean business."

Henry gripped his friend's arm in alarm.

"I tell you there is nothing here," Jeremy yelled, "nor anyone that can assist you." Jeremy cursed himself for being so negligent and vain to have been seen in camp in that infernal uniform.

"That boy ain't no commissioned officer. He's a Pennsylvanian."

"Then he's a rat. He's sittin' in the general's quarters." Jeremy jumped at the crunch of an ax hitting the door.

Horse's hooves stomped the ground outside. Sergeant Boggs yelled, "Get away from that cabin. You will see Lafayette soon enough."

"We demand food! Wayne better show up with a wagon o' food or we're goin' to kill every damn officer we can find, includin' you and Lafayette and anyone else that comes up here. We don't care what state or nation they're from," an angry man yelled.

A bevy of voices rose like braying mules and began a chant: "No meat! No meat! No meat!"

More horses arrived. The lack of windows in the cabin made Jeremy feel trapped. His fear nearly suffocated him when he heard Lafayette's voice outside.

"You men, what is this you are doing?"

The chanting stopped and one voice called out, "We are demanding what we are due--our pay, food, and clothing."

"You are due all of that from your own state government. They have not provided."

"We don't know that's true. All we know is we're starving and fed up."

"You will get no satisfaction with this uprising," Lafayette said. "You had best state your grievances calmly and allow us to see what we can do for you."

There was a sudden hushed quiet, then murmuring.

"We might entertain that, but more than half of us have already headed out from camp fully armed. They intend to find some food then some decent clothes and shelter. They won't be coming back. If you follow them, they'll kill you. They'll kill anyone that stands in their way."

There was silence.

"Then why did you men remain?" Lafayette asked.

"We don't want to mutiny. That is not our aim. It is our angry bellies talking."

"Do you not know that I would provide you with food if I could obtain it? My money is worthless against this."

"Aye, sir, but what else can a starving man do?"

"I ask you to return to your cabins. I will scour this camp for whatever I can find for you and have it here by morning. If you give up the people responsible for the Lieutenant's death, you will not be charged with mutiny."

"The killers left the camp, sir."

"Very well. Will you do as I ask, and obey your officers?"

The men murmured and scuffled.

"I reckon, but it won't be long before being shot for mutiny will be a blessing."

The soldiers dispersed. Jeremy and Henry jumped at a knock at the door.

"Jeremy, it is General Lafayette."

Jeremy leapt up and unbarred the door to find the offending ax still buried in the thick wood. The tall Frenchman removed his hat and ducked under the doorframe. "Are you two all right?"

"Aye, sir," Jeremy said.

Lafayette embraced each man, and then inspected each at arms length as if he feared a deception. "I'm sorry you had to experience that. The lack of provisions has finally turned the men into beggars and brigands."

"Is it the whole camp, sir? What of headquarters?"

"No, it is just the Pennsylvania First, or what's left of it. Everyone is safe at headquarters. I'm afraid there is little I can immediately do to move you away from here. The aides are taking up all the available cabins near headquarters. I shall arrange with one of the other general's to put you up."

"No, sir," Jeremy said in a panic. "We should stay here. I don't want to give up our cover. We must catch the person that is plotting Washington's demise."

Lafayette shook his head and spoke in a weary voice. "That is very brave of you Jeremy, but this is a very dangerous place right now. The camp is deteriorating at a rapid rate. It would be best that you return to Chester. You should be able to leave in the morning."

"Please, sir, we will not leave you!" Jeremy turned imploring eyes upon Henry.

"It would be a difficult trip, General," Henry said. "The roads will be treacherous. I agree with Jeremy. I think we should take our chances here and maybe be of some help."

Sergeant Boggs entered the cabin. He had a cut on his cheek that appeared to be from a knife.

"Sergeant, you are bleeding," Henry said. "Here, let me clean the wound."

"It is nothing, Henry."

"You will not think it nothing if it becomes infected. Come and sit down by the fire."

"Do as he asks, Sergeant," Lafayette said. "I do not wish to lose you to a scratch."

As Henry attended him, Boggs said, "Sir, Sergeant McDonald died last night."

Lafayette's face fell in despair "Mon Dieu, they are dying so fast there is no longer time to grieve." The general stepped to a cot and sat down burying his face in his hands. "I would do anything for these suffering soldiers, if Providence would only see fit to put it within my grasp."

"I was about to question some of the officers in that regiment," Jeremy said. "I think that may lead us to the person that wants to kill Washington."

Lafayette looked up puzzled. "They are going to be in no mood to be questioned, Jeremy."

"I realize it could be difficult but perhaps over a plate of hot food, their tongues would loosen?"

The Frenchman's dark brows rose. "Do you know someone specifically you wish to speak with?"

"That Captain Slake from last night would be a good starting point," the sergeant said. "He was the deserters' company commander."

"Very well," Lafayette said. "I shall wait to obtain General Wayne's permission to interrogate Captain Slake then arrange a meeting for you."

"Thank you, sir." Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck, which ached from the tension. "Sir, Elizabeth is going to be concerned for Henry and I. May we go see her?"

"You both should leave here for now. Go up to the carriage house and see Isak. I will send Elizabeth out to you, and encourage her to bring you food. I can't have you mutinying, too," the general said with a tired smile.

Jeremy returned the smile. "That would be most kind, sir."