Chapter 12: Meeting
General John Depp smiled as he watched the Continental Army march in their grand formations. He remembered the pride, dignity and discipline that had existed for him once in the Royal Marines, and here it was once more, with real soldiers who were without a doubt the finest army to ever march the Earth.
With the coming of May, General Greene visited Valley Forge often. While he did a lot of work with the officers here, Depp suspected it had a lot more to do with Kitty Greene.
John had a gift of knowing instantly about people, and he liked Kitty Greene. She was an intensely popular woman, not least of all for her skill in language. Depp himself hadn't spoken French in years, but with practice with the Mrs. Greene and the foreign officers, he was vastly improved within a very short time. Also, she and Martha Washington shared a love for singing. While neither were masters of the art, they were definitely skilled practitioners.
The two of them were fast friends, despite quiet disapproval of each other's habits. Martha and Kitty both quietly disapproved of drinking and gambling, two of John's truest loves. John also disapproved sewing, but for a different reason; he'd had bad experiences with sewing tools as a child, and as a result pathologically feared needles and scissors.
It was through Nat and Kitty Greene that Depp learned of the 'prodigal return' of General Lee—a term which, once his wife was out of earshot, Greene used rather scathingly; he believed that Lee was a self-centered pig with no manners or skill on the field of battle. But both he and Depp would be polite, since it seemed that General Washington saw something in him, and both hoped that Lee would prove Greene's opinion wrong.
Both were very mistaken.
John had a gift of knowing instantly about people, and he hated Charles Lee.
He had a sneaking suspicion that the feeling was mutual.
He stood in line with the other generals, next to General Lafayette (A man whom Depp found far wiser than his years). He watched as General Washington saluted Lee, and his dislike of the man grew as he offered a curt, unsmiling bow in return. Then Greene, despite his distaste for Lee, greeted him cordially.
Lee barely looked at him.
Depp privately seethed.
It took him a fair while to regain control of his temper, and when he did, it was time for Lafayette to be introduced. The buoyantly likeable Frenchman offered his hand with a broad smile. Lee ignored it, and only nodded. Lafayette seemed not to notice, discreetly dropping his arm, smile still there.
John, meanwhile, seriously contemplated causing him extreme pain. It would be so simple, really; he'd just offer his hand, then if accepted, he'd break Lee's, and if not, he'd deliver a sucker punch to the man's gut. He had a feeling that neither Sparrow nor Greene would disapprove. But Washington would, so he suppressed the urge. For the moment. When Lee came to Depp, there was no salute, greeting, or offer of a hand; merely the same curt nod he'd given the other officers. Something glinted in Lee's eyes, as though he knew he was being mocked. Would be quite the accomplishment for the stupid git.
The dinner, while a subdued affair, still grated on John's fraying nerves. Lee, he discovered very rapidly, was a rabid self-promoter, speaking far too highly of both himself and of the British—in particular, their enormous and grand dinner tables; a very discreet slight on the cooking here, Depp believed. Remarkable. All this praise and grandeur placed upon him and he sees fit to insult it at every turn.
John very nearly lost what little control he had when Lee had the nerve to call his filthy dogs to the table and then have them eat off it.
Everyone, even the kindly Martha Washington, was upset by it. Remarkably, Lee actually noticed it, despite his lackluster skills in the area of observation. Then what he did next was the deciding factor in John Depp's decision to, if there was ever an opportune moment, kill Charles Lee.
The man—if he deserved the title—offered no apologies, no explanations, save that he said that he preferred his dogs to human companionship.
Later that night, an invite had come for a meeting of senior staff the next morning. Depp ensured that a message was sent to Admiral Norrington, so that he might attend as well.
Depp found himself unable to sleep, as ideas continued to float into his head regarding his unspoken promise about Lee, from the elegantly simple—poison—to the grandiose—a strategically positioned cannon.
The next morning, Depp was informed that Lee's statement was untrue. He met with Nat Greene and Marie Lafayette, and the latter told them that it had been discovered that Charles Lee had a whore in his room. Both Greene and Depp were not surprised in the slightest. General Lafayette said, "General Lee has vigorous opinions of the officers in this camp. I do not repeat gossip, sirs. But his words were more than...unkind. I have not experienced such a man before."
Greene replied to Lafayette, "His ambitions have been made known to the commanding general before. General Lee feels that what is good for him is good for the country. He places great value in his own abilities and dismisses the abilities of everyone else."
"What are his abilities?" Was Depp's cold reply.
Greene sniffed, then said, "Apparently, he makes a good prisoner. From all he tells us, the British fell over themselves to make him comfortable. One must wonder what he offered them in return."
"You do not suggest, surely..." Lafayette found it too far to speculate. Depp did not.
"That he's a traitor? It isn't much of a reach..."
Greene interjected. "I wouldn't go that far. But I must be honest with the both of you. I do not believe that man will perform any good service for this army. General Washington would not be pleased to hear me say that. And I am certain that General Lee has a good deal to say about me as well."
Depp thought sourly, he probably has more to say about Marie and myself than you, Nat.
Lafayette looked down now, said, "I cannot repeat anything, sir. But I cannot believe General Washington would have faith in such a man if he is what you describe."
"Believe you me, my friend, I doubt the General has little say in the matter," John said darkly.
Greene shrugged.
"General Washington is not blessed with the luxury of opinion or of choice. He must make do with the material he has at hand. I hope to God I am mistaken in my feelings for General Lee. But if I am not, I pray General Washington is not made to suffer some disaster because of it."
The office was crowded, all the senior commanders present, except for one conspicuous absence. Lee had not yet emerged from his room. Depp could see the annoyance coming through Washington's normally impermeable mask of calm. He said, "We shall begin. Those not present can be advised later. For those of you not yet introduced, the two men there next to General Greene are General John Depp and Admiral James Norrington. Both were men in the service of the British during the Seven Years War, and as such have seen a fair amount of combat. They are now in the service of Admiral Jack Sparrow, and have been extremely consequential in action of late in the Atlantic and Caribbean." They gave slight greeting, James a nod, Depp a wave. "We have been informed via Admiral Sparrow's spynet of the imminent arrival in Philadelphia of a new delegation from London." Depp and Norrington nodded as some glances were again cast their way. "They have supposedly been accorded the power to grant concessions toward a cessation of hostilities between our countries. I have been advised that this power excludes one significant concession. They do not come with any offering of independence."
Depp felt heat grow in his head and heart at this. We have proven time and again that they can defeat the so-called greatest army in the world, and they dare come to us like this!
"I am pleased to note that the congress is not regarding this commission in a positive light. I am advising you of this so that you do not allow yourselves, and the men in your command, to view this in any way other than as an act of desperation. I believe, and this view is shared by congress, that King George and his ministers have been...um..." Washington, in a rare instance, struggled with his words. "The only term I can use is...frightened. Word of our alliance with France has certainly burned its way through London. But rather than concede that a wider war, with greater loss of life so abhorrent that peace should be sought, they have instead responded by an outrageous attempt to divide our country."
Washington regarded the men in the room. "This is a ruse, diabolical and base. It has one purpose, to distract us from our cause. Any man who might waver from support of this war might now be tempted to see this offer as a ray of hope. The English continue to perplex me with their misunderstanding of the American will. They will come to us now, driven by the fear of a new and powerful enemy, and they offer those terms which we sought with such energy three years ago. They ignore that their armies have killed and maimed and distressed so many of us, and offer a crooked and brittle branch from a poisoned olive tree."
The room was silent as each man exchanged glances with another, surprised at the rising tone of heat and rage in Washington's words. Greene, sitting next to Depp, rose his voice and said, "Sir, can we be certain that the congress agrees with your assessment? Can we depend on their firmness?"
"Without question, Mr. Greene. Without question." For once, congress appeared to be utilizing the one part of their bodies that mattered most.
"Then, sir, we should not despair the resolve of the American people. If this delegation offers no more than a fantasy of a return to more halcyon days, it is likely that their mission will be brief," James spoke
Washington seemed to calm, and he looked at the assembled men. "I pray to the Almighty that you are correct, Mr. Norrington. This, however, is not my only purpose for calling you here. Scouts report from Philadelphia that a large quantity of British ships have raised sail and have departed the city. In fact, the suggestion is that a considerable majority of their craft have sailed. I have confirmed this from several good sources, your AnaMaria being one of them, Admiral."
The room came to life, a low hum of comments. John looked around, seeing the increase of enthusiasm. Greene turned to look at Stirling as he said with a hint of Scottish accent, "Sir, do we know where they're off to? Might be hightailing it back to New York, eh? Should we be preparing to march, then, sir?"
Washington held up his hands to still any further comments. "My apologies, gentlemen. Perhaps I was not clear. I meant to say that the British ships have left Philadelphia, but not their army. There is no sign that troops are yet going anywhere. The ships are said to have carried sympathetic civilians, and likely, equipment." There was a pause. "And baggage."
Greene looked at Stirling, said, "If their baggage has sailed away, then a march cannot be far behind."
"Well, then, we had best make preparations for a fight!"
The words came from behind them, and all heads turned toward the doorway. Depp saw Lee, adjusting his dusty uniform, his matted hair standing up stiffly on his bare head. Depp groaned, gorge rising. Thankfully, only Greene and Norrington noticed. Neither minded much (Norrington knew that if anyone had Depp's dislike, he'd worked hard to earn it).
Washington said, "General Lee, thank you for joining us. What do you make of the movement of the ships?"
"Quite clear. They're planning an attack. It will come at us here, or it will come at our cities to the south, Baltimore, Wilmington perhaps. General Howe is certain to strike a hard blow at our weakest point. That would narrow the decision to our position here. We cannot stand up to an attack, not with the command structure we have at present."
There was silence in the room, and as he unconsciously stroked his pistol, Depp felt the strongest urge to forget all else and simply shoot Lee. How dare he insult the fine, brave commanders that suffered this winter while he sat all nice and cozy in a British stronghold!
Norrington muttered in his ear, "Don't shoot him. It'd make an awful mess of the place."
"Just one little shot in the rear. Please?"
"No."
Washington did not hear them. He stood and said, "I am not clear on just what message the British Navy is offering us. I am certain however of the following. Mr. Lee, you have been understandably without communication since your release, due to your necessity of travel. This is an opportune moment for me to inform you, as I intended to inform all of you. We have received word that within the past few days General William Howe has been relieved of command. His successor is Henry Clinton, which should surprise no one."
More comments came, and then Washington bowed his head, the room becoming silent once more.
"I am certain as well that General Clinton would not send his ships away from a place where he intended to commence a campaign." He paused, and Depp saw on Greene's face that he wanted to cheer. Both he, Norrington and Depp suppressed the urge. There would be no attack here, or anywhere around here. John noted that both Washington and Greene avoided looking at Lee's face.
John, now, had no such compunctions
He looked right at Lee, and watched the smug look fall clean off his face. Depp placed it on his own face. Lee turned to glare imperiously at him. Depp only grinned and waved cheerily.
Washington did not see their facial exchange. "I anticipate that we will learn the enemy's intentions soon enough. To that end we shall prepare to leave Valley Forge."
A/N: In case anyone didn't get the note, or just hasn't noticed, I based our temporary hero, Brigadier General Jonathan Depp on numerous characters. There is the obvious influence in his name, and his mannerisms are taken from a multitude of sources; Izzy from "The Mummy Returns", Wes Janson from the Expanded Universe of Star Wars, and myself. Believe you me, if I were placed back in that time, the absolute first thing I'd do is shoot Charles Lee.
Incidentally, apart from Depp and Norrington, all characters in this chapter are entirely real, and characterizations are taken from Jeff Shaara.
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