Chapter Twenty Eight
John Laurens
Hamilton wrote Washington's letter to Congress from his bed. He used his folded legs as his writing desk, and set his inkpot beside him. Before the letter was finished, his bedsheets were stained with ink and his floor was littered with parchment that had broken under the sharp point of Hamilton's quill. Despite the imperfect circumstances surrounding the letter, Hamilton focused on its contents with his usual intensity. Particularly, he fixated on the amount of American casualties that the militia suffered during the battle.
"Did you see the field when we arrived?" He ranted for the umpteeth time. His anger was robbing him of sleep each night. "At least half of the casualties listed were already dead on the field by the time we arrived. Most of these men died in that damned disorganized retreat. It is a crime."
Hamilton's anger was directed at none other than Charles Lee. He blamed Lee, personally, for all of the deaths and injuries which had occurred during the battle, including his own. He grew angrier still when he heard Lee attempting to resist the blame cast upon him.
"General Washington is angry enough with him." John reminded him. It was his usual argument. "Let Washington's displeasure be Lee's punishment. You have seen how strict Washington is with his favorites. I cannot imagine what he might do to someone as hated as Lee."
"Whatever Washington decides, it will be too good for Lee." Hamilton sniffed. "For Lee is a man of wealth and title and therefore cannot be subject to physical punishment. It is a shame, for a coward should be forced to face the exact harm from which he ran."
"You mean that we should throw Lee to the British?" John tried to joke.
"We should have allowed them to keep him when they had him." Hamilton grumbled. "He could have become the king's fool."
"I do not believe he would succeed in such a profession." John mused. "Lee is foolish, sure, but he is not very amusing."
Hamilton let out a huff. He was much more irritable on bedrest than he typically was. John found that he was touching nerves that he had not known to exist, previously. He wished that Hamilton would recover soon, if not to avoid any further squabbles.
"I think that I would like to be alone." This was Hamilton's way of telling John that he was getting on Hamilton's nerves. It was his way of avoiding snapping at John. John did not appreciate this minor courtesy, as it stung just as much as an open rebuke.
"Very well." He said, his voice sounding petulant to his own ears. "Good afternoon, Colonel Hamilton."
Hamilton rolled his eyes at John's anger.
"Good afternoon, Colonel Laurens."
Dearest husband,
I have heard the news of your most recent battle at Monmouth. Congress has responded to the news with confidence, both in General Washington and the magnificence of his forces. Letters to my father from friends all confirm that you were particularly valiant during the battle. To be linked to you at such a time is the highest honor and privilege.
I presume by now that you have read General Charles Lee's scandalous reports on the conduct of General Washington. I, as well as most polite society, do not believe it for one moment. The country knows that there is no better patriot than General Washington.
In happier news, your daughter is well. She charms everyone she meets with as much grace and beauty as a debutante. I should like for her to sit for a portrait. Both your mother and your father are much in agreement with me, as they are as equally bewitched by her as I am. I will forward you a portrait fit in a locket, should you like one.
Your loving wife,
Martha Laurens
John set the letter from Marty aside with the rest of the letters he had received from friends. Everyone was talking about the rumors told by Lee. Newspapers had begun to run entire columns dedicated to Lee's statements about Washington's fitness for his post, and the "true cause" of the crisis at Monmouth.
"What did it say?" Hamilton inquired, craning his neck to get a better look at the letter.
"Nothing of significance." John replied, moving to open another letter that he had received. This one was from a young man he had gone to school with. Undoubtedly, the young man was looking for a letter of introduction to Washington. John had received many similar requests since becoming one of Washington's aides.
"Hm." Hamilton murmured, dissatisfied with John's answer. "Eliza does not mention Lee's publications, either. I wonder if our wives are so afraid of displeasing us that they will act as though the news is not the news?"
It might have been a joke, but Hamilton's frown was so fierce that John did not dare laugh. Instead, he shrugged and focused on the letter.
"Here is another publication." Burr entered the quarters, holding up a newspaper with a grim expression. "Lee has really done it this time."
He plopped the paper down on Hamilton's desk. Hamilton set to work reading it, a scowl set across his handsome features. John glanced in the direction of Washington's office nervously. If Washington stepped out of his office to find another negative article about his leadership, there was no telling how his wrath would manifest itself.
Despite Washington's anger with Lee, Lee remained at camp. Washington stated that he would rather have his enemies under his nose than behind his back. John was not so sure he agreed. Each meal became a tense staring contest between Hamilton and Lee while Washington pretended not to notice.
"This is unacceptable." Hamilton growled, anger distorting his usually handsome features into something unpleasant. "This...this lie is going to ruin my career - it may ruin General Washington's career. Someone ought to challenge Lee."
"Challenge?" John echoed in surprise. "Do you mean to suggest that someone challenge General Lee to a duel?"
He was careful to emphasize Lee's rank to highlight the impracticability of Hamilton's suggestion. The idea of a colonel shooting a general was a ridiculous one. There was nothing to be gained for the colonel.
"Why not?" Hamilton did not seem to understand why challenging Lee was a wretched idea.
"You must be joking." Burr remarked, taking a seat behind his desk. His expression conveyed the same skepticism that John felt.
"Washington would want us to stand up for him." Hamilton argued.
Burr laughed. "I do not think that General Washington needs us to protect him from his bullies."
"He is gagged and bound - he cannot refute Lee's accusations without stooping to his level." Hamilton contended.
"So he can request a court martial to discern the truth." John suggested.
Hamilton snorted. The dismissive attitude hurt John's feelings. It was not the first time that Hamilton had made John feel stupid, and it likely would not be the last time.
"Washington oversees the court martial. Even if he did not - how would it appear? The court martial arrests the person asserting their innocence. Do you believe that Congress would tolerate the news that half of the militia had witnessed the commander-in-chief arrested by the court martial? They would have him replaced by General Gates within a week." Hamilton explained, his tone condescending.
"Then we ignore him. Half of the world believes that he is mad, anyway." Burr suggested.
"Only half." Hamilton murmured.
"Hamilton, I really think -"
Before John could think of something to say which would dissuade Hamilton from pursuing such a course of action, Charles Lee himself walked past the quarters. All three men could see him through the window. Hamilton perked up like a hunting dog who caught a whiff of a fox.
"Hamilton, no." John tried to protest, but it was already too late.
Hamilton leapt up from his seat and surged toward the door. John followed after him. Burr followed after John, though his purpose remained unknown to John.
"Lee!" Hamilton addressed Lee as an equal, not a general.
Lee turned around, displeasure on his face.
"Colonel Hamilton." He folded his arms across his chest. "To what do I owe the honor of your notice?"
Hamilton marched straight up to him, red-faced and angry.
"Lee, I -"
"I challenge you to a duel!" John called out before Hamilton could finish his sentence.
Hamilton whipped around to look at John, surprise taking the place of anger on his expression. Lee also looked confused by John's challenge.
"Really?" John heard Burr ask from behind him.
"That is right, I-I-I challenge you on behalf of General Washington." John continued, though he regretted each word that came out of his mouth. "Tomorrow at sunrise."
Lee took a moment to appraise John. When he was satisfied with what he found, he nodded slightly.
"Very well." He said. "Tomorrow at sunrise. Colonel Burr?"
"Yes, sir?" Burr stepped forward from behind John. John looked at him curiously. Burr shrugged and looked back at Lee. He did not seem to understand why he was being singled out any more than John did.
"I would appreciate your services as my second." Lee said.
It was a cunning move. Burr was notorious around camp for his accuracy when shooting. If Lee was unable to finish the duel and Burr was forced to take his place, John would certainly be the one to die.
"Yes, sir." Burr agreed. John could not fault him for agreeing.
Lee smirked, pleased with himself for claiming Burr first. He then turned to look at John.
"Who will be your second, Colonel Laurens?" He inquired.
John considered his options. He could not ask one of his men to serve as his second, as he had punished men in his own camp for dueling. To ask his men to participate in prohibited activity for his sake was hypocrisy at its finest. Lafayette would likely reject John's inquiry, as Washington was staunchly opposed to dueling and Lafayette could not - or would not - risk Washington's displeasure.
"I will." Hamilton spoke up before John could think of any other suitable party.
"Very well." Lee accepted Hamilton's inclusion with a smirk. "I will see you tomorrow at sunrise."
Lee wandered off, his dogs trailing after him.
Hamilton waited until Lee was out of sight before whipping around to look at John. He did not look happy with John. John had not expected that he would.
"What could have inspired you to do such a thing?" He inquired.
John frowned.
He could not tell Hamilton that he had volunteered himself to partake in the duel because he valued Hamilton's life over his own. He knew that Hamilton would demand that John rescind his challenge to Lee and allow Hamilton to make the challenge, instead. John could not allow such a thing. He could not allow Hamilton to risk his life so carelessly; not for someone so meaningless as Lee.
"Why should you get all of the glory?" He tried to joke. The joke fell flat.
"Thank you both for dragging me into this." Burr said dryly.
"I had to think of some way to pay you back for nearly killing me." Hamilton bit back. He had been blaming Burr for his injuries, as well as Lee. John knew that Hamilton meant such comments as a joke, but they did not come off that way. It sounded more like unkindness than playfulness.
Burr let out a sigh, then turned around and returned to Washington's quarters. John and Hamilton were left on their own.
"I know that you challenged Lee to protect me." Hamilton accused him the moment that they were alone.
John looked down. He knew better than to lie to Hamilton. Hamilton always seemed to know exactly what he was thinking. The man could read him like a book, and no one read books quite like Hamilton.
"You have a family, John." Hamilton tried to reason with him. "You have a wife and a daughter who expect you to return to them after the war. You have a father who has planned your entire future, John. You -"
"Nothing will happen to me." John assured him firmly. "I will return to my wife and my daughter after the war, and I will tell my father that I have no interest in politics. I will tell him that instead, I am going to start a law practice with a man of no title and no status and we are going to take cases with murders and conspiracy and other glamorous crimes. We will have our future, Hamilton. I will not allow Charles Lee to take that away from us."
Hamilton cracked a small smile. "I thought that you wanted to do divorces."
John snorted, relieved that Hamilton was no longer angry with him.
"A couple of homosexuals defending the virtues and traditions of a union between a man and a woman?" He teased, remembering Hamilton's laughter at his suggestion just a few days before. "Wouldn't that be ironic?"
Hamilton's smile grew wider.
"I love you, John." He said.
John smiled back at him.
"I love you, too, Alex."
Alexander Hamilton
John was nervous.
Alexander could see from the way that he fidgeted, from the way that he jumped at the sound of Burr loading bullets into the pistols, and from the way that he kept casting Alexander forced smiles that were meant to be reassuring. Though Alexander wished for little more than he wished for Lee to get what he deserved, he did not like to see John unsettled with such fear. As they approached the field upon which the duel will take place, he resolved to negotiate with Burr fairly. If Lee only apologized for his conduct, Alexander would let him escape without a bullet lodged into his body.
Once they reached the dueling ground, Lee began to confer with Burr about his terms of settlement. The physician stood off to the side, feigning indifference. He had only agreed to attend the duel because Burr had bribed him with thirty dollars.
"Look, Alex," John turned to Alexander as their time to discuss terms of settlement dwindled. "I will not accept an apology which is not satisfactory to you. Negotiate fairly, but do not feel obligated to spare me."
Alexander nodded grimly. He wished that John had not used the words "spare me." He made himself appear more like a sacrificial lamb than a willing combatant. Alexander felt all the more obligated to accept any apology that Lee would give.
"Hammie?" Burr called as he walked to the center of the field. His breeches were speckled with the dew, which he kicked up with every step. Alexander cast John one last glance before joining Burr in the center of the field.
"Alexander." Burr greeted Alexander.
"Aaron Burr, sir." Alexander greeted him in return.
"This is a foolish duel." Burr remarked. "It is an immature way of confronting General Lee."
"I agree." Alexander replied, though he did not. "But General Lee must answer for his words against General Washington. He has suffered extensive injuries at General Lee's pen."
Burr shook his head. "Alexander, this is absurd."
"Absurd?" Alexander's temper flared. "Burr, how many men died because of Lee's cowardice?"
Burr let out a heavy sigh. "I see now that there is nothing I can say which will dissuade you from the current course of action. Good luck, Alexander."
He nodded towards Alexander, then moved back to Lee. Alexander returned to John. Guilt bloomed in his chest.
He did not need to tell John the outcome of his discussion with Burr. John took one look at him and sighed. He hung his head for a moment, accepting the reality of his situation. When he looked up again, his expression was resolute. His hand tightened around the pistol he'd been holding.
"All right." He said. "Thank you for trying."
"John," Alexander tried to protest. "It is not too late for me to stand in on your behalf. General Lee is a terrible shot, I believe that -"
"Alex." John shook his head, smiling faintly. "It has to be me."
Alexander nodded despite his disagreement with John's statement. He would not argue with John before he went up in front of a man with a gun. He would make his last few seconds before the duel amicable.
"I...I love you, Alex." John said quietly. He turned to look at Alexander with a frightened smile that made Alexander want to protect him from all of the world's harms.
"I love you too, John." Alexander replied, forcing himself to smile.
John nodded to himself, then turned to look at the field. Lee was already in position at the center of the field. John moved to join him there. Each step he took away from Alexander made Alexander's skin crawl. He had not felt fear a single time during the war - he had confidence in his abilities to keep himself alive - until this point. Now, he was terrified. He could not protect John. He was powerless. He could only watch as John shook Lee's hand and spoke a few words.
After John and Lee shook hands, they each turned around. They counted aloud as they took their steps. Alexander watched both of their hands. Lee's fingers were itching toward the trigger, eager to send a bullet hurling towards John. John's fingers remained curled tightly around the pistol. He did not move his fingers towards or away from the trigger.
They reached the number nine. Alexander could see Lee's heel turning against the damp grass. Alexander fought the urge to run onto the field and demand an end to the duel. He was afraid. He had not been so afraid since he had been a child.
"Ten."
Lee shouted the number with gusto. Alexander could not hear John pronounce the number at all. He knew that John had reached ten, though, as he watched John swivel in place with an unhurried grace.
It happened quickly. The sound of gunshots registered first. The smell of gunpowder and residual smoke burned Alexander's nose. Then there was a shout of pain. Finally, Lee crumpled to the ground. John remained standing. He was uninjured.
"General Lee, do you yield?" Alexander asked. He could not suppress the glee in his voice.
Burr hurried onto the field to examine Lee. The physician followed after him, looking as though he regretted accepting Burr's bribe to attend such an affair.
"You shot him in the side." Burr told John, his voice barbed with indignation. He then looked to Alexander. "Yes, he yields."
Alexander looked to John. John was looking back at him. He was not smiling, but Alexander could discern an unmistakable air of pride about him.
"I am satisfied if you are." John called to Alexander.
"I do not yield!" Lee howled, still lying on the ground.
"I beg your pardon?" Alexander could not hide his surprise.
"General Lee, you must yield." Burr tried to convince him. "You stand to lose a great deal of blood, as it is. You cannot risk further injury."
"I do not yield." Lee repeated, staggering to his feet.
John looked to Alexander uncertainly. Alexander looked back at him. It was highly improper to shoot a man who was incapacitated, but John risked getting shot if he ignored Lee's refusal to yield. It was an affair of honor. To force Lee to yield would be extremely dishonorable.
"What is the meaning of this?" Washington's voice broke through the morning quiet. He approached the scene, sitting atop his horse. Lafayette was by his side, looking mortified.
Alexander had not kept track of the time. Washington was out for his morning ride.
Washington assessed the situation quickly, his face contorted in an expression of overwhelming rage. Such rage would consume him if he did not unleash it quickly and liberally.
"Mr. Burr," Washington did not acknowledge Burr's officer status. It was a blatant insult. Burr swallowed it without protest. "Get the general to the medic's tent."
"Yes, sir." Burr appeared grateful for an excuse to leave the field. He and the physician threw Lee atop Lee's horse. Lee protested the handling, but neither Burr nor the physician responded to such protests. Burr and the physician then mounted their own horses. Burr held the reins of Lee's horse, leading him back to camp.
"General Lafayette, assure General Lee of my sincere apologies." Washington commanded Lafayette. "Colonel Laurens, you are to join him and apologize for your conduct."
"Yes, sir." John accepted his punishment with a hung head.
John mounted his own horse and followed Lafayette back to camp. Neither man spoke to one another.
"Hamilton." Washington finally turned his gaze to Alexander. He had reserved the majority of his anger for Alexander. Alexander was not surprised. Washington seemed to prefer treating him as an outlet for all of his emotions - positive or negative.
"Yes, sir?" Alexander asked with great reluctance.
"Meet me inside." He growled, tugging at his horse's reins. It carried him towards camp, leaving Alexander standing alone on the field.
"Alex," Washington growled once Alexander had closed the door to his office door.
"Don't call me Alex." Alexander warned him.
Washington had never called him 'Alex' before John's arrival at camp. Before that, he had either used 'Hamilton' or 'Alexander'. He used the shortened name only so that John would not be the only one. He used it so that he would have every part of Alexander that John did.
"This war is difficult enough without my men fighting among themselves." Washington ignored Alexander's rebuke.
"General Lee wrote disparaging remarks about you in the paper. We requested that he answer for such accusations." Alexander replied. He had expected Washington to be grateful for the defense. Lee's injuries guaranteed that he would not be so quick to write another word against Washington's leadership skills or the militia under his control.
"You solved nothing and you managed to aggravate our allies through the south." Washington was not grateful.
"Perhaps they would have been more appreciative, had John shot him in the mouth." Alexander remarked sullenly.
"Alex." Washington tried again.
"I asked you not to call me that." Alexander murmured again.
"Watch your tone." Washington warned him. "I did not need you or Colonel Laurens to confront General Lee on my behalf. I am not a maiden in need of defending. I am capable of handling my affairs on my own."
"Charles Lee published another article today." Alexander gestured towards Washington's office door. The offending article was laying on the other side of the door, draped across Burr's desk. "He rakes your name through the mud with no consequence. I am not the only one who reads the papers - your friends, your colleagues...Congress - they are all reading, too."
"My name has been through a lot - I can handle it." Washington remarked.
"Well, I don't have your name!" Alexander shouted. He was furious at Washington for being so selfish. Washington seemed incapable of understanding that things which did not affect him still affected Alexander. "And I don't have your title, and I don't have your land. But, if you would only give me a command -"
"No." Washington let out an exasperated sigh.
"I could have a name and title of my own. I could assist you in the war efforts - defend your name in the press without fear of impropriety. I could be a credit to your militia, I could win skirmishes and assist you in battles -"
"Or you could die, and we need you alive." Washington dismissed Alexander's suggestion so easily. He preferred to coddle Alexander instead of allowing him experiences which would further his future interests.
"I am more than willing to die." Alexander reminded him.
"Your wife needs you alive." Washington said. Alexander knew that Washington did not care about Eliza's interest in keeping Alexander alive. "Alex, I need you alive."
"Do not call me that!" Alexander shouted, having lost patience with Washington's flimsy excuses for refusing him a command. "Do not presume to know me when it is you who is my greatest enemy!"
It was severe, calling Washington his greatest enemy. Yet, Alexander could not regret his words as Washington recoiled from them. Washington had refused him a number of command opportunities, purely out of his own selfish motives to keep Alexander near. Washington was the sole reason that Alexander would not have a place in history.
"Go home, Alexander." Washington's voice had grown quiet, but it was emphatically not soft. Washington's expression grew steely as he turned away from Alexander.
Finally, after many failed attempts and tentative apologies, Alexander had said something truly unforgivable to Washington. There would be no abashed reconciliation in the early hours of the morning, swaddled by the warmth of Washington's quarters.
"Sir -" Alexander tried uselessly.
Washington's tone had sobered him; it had released any rage which had previously existed. Now, he only felt regret.
"Go home." Washington snarled like a wounded animal.
