Chapter 13: Confrontation
The days passed slowly as the Army moved in pursuit of the British retreat. John Depp was slowly getting a tighter and tighter grip on his pistol as he heard more and more of Charles Lee's bull about how Clinton was setting up a major trap, and the entire army was falling into it because of Washington's blundering and the total stupidity of his subordinates—in particular, Generals Greene, Lafayette, and Depp.
This point where John's pistol grip was nearing fracturing was a council of war—something Depp, as an old soldier, saw no point for, during which Lee exerted his enormous influence over the officers. There was a large ruckus that grew by the minute until Washington projected his voice, calling, "Enough! To order!"
Depp looked at Lee, and saw the man's smugness as he said, "Should we not vote on this, sir?"
"Very well. By show of hands, I wish to know your preference. Those who believe we should allow the enemy to go unmolested..."
Depp felt red-hot anger grow as he saw almost all hands rise, even Henry Knox.
"Those who believe we should attack..."
Five hands rose, Greene, Lafayette, von Steuben, Wayne and the French engineer, DuPortail. Depp's hands were far too preoccupied with gripping their weapons and imagining what he might do were they aimed at Mr. Lee.
Washington bowed his head, and said, "I will abide by your wishes. However, since I am still your commander, I would offer a compromise. Mr. Lafayette is correct that there is a small risk in moving against the British rear guard. We will do so."
"Really, sir!" Lee was still in his pose. Depp removed his hand from his pistol grip not a moment too soon; had he not, his finger would have twitched against the trigger and blown a hole in the floor. "Has not the wisdom of your commanders been made clear?"
"General Lee, I do not possess the luxury of perfect wisdom, and I will humbly assume that my officers do not as well. I must answer to a congress and a nation that will question why this army did not strike its enemy."
Lee sniffed. "Congress. A stable of stupid cattle that stumble at every step."
The room was silent for a moment, until a shot rang out.
Gazes turned to John Depp, whose pistol smoked in his belt. "Apologies. Frayed nerves from too much warfare. Something you'd know scarce little about, eh, General Lee?" Depp could see that the man was about to respond cantankerously, so he went on. "I must ask, General Lee." Depp looked angrily at the man. "WHAT IN HELL GOES ON IN YOUR HEAD?"
He stood, and began to pace the room, several weeks of contempt and disgust flowing from his mouth in an unstoppable rage. "The enemy is in full retreat. He is fleeing these towns and cities as fast as he can move, and you think it's all a TRAP?"
He threw his arms in the air. "Good God, man, come to your senses!" He thrust his finger at the ground and around the room. "This is a war machine that has time and again proven its prowess and skill. We survived the harshest winter I've ever seen while you sat comfortably in British company, eating their food while our soldiers starved, being in a British-owned warm bed while our men froze on the ground! Would you insult the courage of this army until you've broken its spirit! I tell you, this is a display of the American will! And if you are so cowed by the presence of an army that is in full retreat that has shipped away almost all their war supplies, then by God, go back to Virginia where people will only see your name instead of your wavering allegiances!"
"And what are you to speak of allegiance, Mr. Depp? You served the British in the Seven Years War!" Lee finally found his voice, surprised that any man would dare insult him so blatantly.
"And so did General Washington. Except I was thrown out of their army, an experience that because of your wealth and political power will never happen to you—a most unfortunate thing. I bring seven years of battle, thirty-seven scars and almost a decade of harsh experience that I'd rather forget with me to this army. Tell me, Mr. Lee, what possible skill, or experience, or by God service do you bring? Stupidity? Bravado? Dramatics? Property?"
With each word, Depp leaned closer in towards Lee, driving him steadily back, until Depp rolled his eyes and walked back to his chair at the last word. "You hang to the back on every last thing so that should we, the Army of the United States go under, you, Charles Lee, will remain afloat!"
"Are you calling me a coward, General Depp?"
Depp sat down. "Yes, coward." He swished his arm, cutting off Lee's reply. "Forget this—it is a waste of energy best spent fighting the enemy, rather than cowering in fear of him. And I must say, General Lee—a title you have done very little to earn—your opinion of the congress is your own privilege. However, this command answers to its authority, and so, I might add, do you." Lee said nothing, only shrugging as if none of what had just occurred did at all.
Washington cut in, glad that tempers had finally stilled, and that John had just said what he had thought when Lee first said what set Depp off. "There is nothing further to discuss. I shall have Mr. Hamilton prepare a letter for you to sign, documenting your agreement with the decision made here."
Wayne, silent for so long, exploded in seven words, "I will sign no such letter, sir!"
"That is your privilege, Mr. Wayne. I do not require agreement, only obedience. This council is concluded."
As the men departed, Depp pursued Charles Lee. He followed him as he strode into the camp, until he was far away from almost anyone else. Then, when it was just the two of them, Depp cleared his throat. Lee whirled around and realized who was there. "What do you want now, Depp?"
"I want to inform you of something, Mr. Lee. You are not safe here." Smiling, Depp leaned in. "Never travel alone, ever. Because if I ever see you alone, with no witnesses nearby, I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?"
Lee glared. "You would not! If you tried, I'd kill you!"
"Oh, really?" Depp laughed at the brainless bravado. "And which of us here has no weapons on him at all?" Lee paled as he realized that he did not have his pistol or sword. But Depp had his.
"Tread lightly, General. You live far more dangerously than you realize." With Lee sufficiently rattled, Depp strolled away to fight another day.
A/N: I got a review talking about the musical 1776 and the Richard Henry Lee character in it. He is related to Charles Lee, but a far better man. It seems that for every good man in the Lee family, like Richard H. and "Light-Horse-Harry", there was a scumbag like Arthur Lee and Charles Lee. For history buffs, I tell you this; yes, the Battle of Monmouth is up next. I will deviate from history in the slightest bit, but never fear; the Revolution goes on. REVIEW!
