The Fateful Lightning (60 page)

That both sides had men who could show such barbarity was not a pleasant reality. Sherman still believed wholeheartedly in the doctrine of total war, yet he was learning the cost, that as the war dragged on, the boundaries between
combatant
and
innocent victim
were becoming blurred. It only added fuel to Sherman’s fire to push onward, to drive his army as far as necessary to strangle the remaining Confederate strongholds, or confront and defeat whatever armies their generals might still command.

H
e entered Cheraw on March 3, making a rendezvous with Oliver Howard and troops of his right wing. The pursuit of Hardee’s men had been futile at best, the Confederates traveling with far fewer encumbrances, an advantage to them only while on the march. But Sherman was quick to understand that Hardee had left Cheraw in a hurry, had likely been closer to the jaws of Sherman’s army than Sherman had realized. In the town were the great treasures left behind, most of that from the citizens of Charleston,
their effort to secure their belongings from the hordes of Sherman’s army. But Hardee had been forced to abandon military stores as well, an enormous amount of shot and shell, artillery pieces and musketry. But one artifact was brought to Sherman’s attention, one prize that the men in Sherman’s command would hold dear. Among the cannons left behind was one marked with a bold plaque. It was the cannon that had fired the first shot at Fort Sumter.

FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA—MARCH 9, 1865

A
s Hardee resumed his march, intending to meet with Johnston in Fayetteville, there was confusion still, an order received from Braxton Bragg that turned Hardee more to the west, with the new goal the town of Rockingham. Bragg had been inspired by rumors that Schofield’s Federal troops were on a rapid march up the Cape Fear River, a path that would lead from Wilmington directly toward Fayetteville. Within a day of Hardee changing direction, a correction came from Bragg, that the Federals were not in fact pursuing that path. But Hardee had been too efficient for his own good. He had reacted to Bragg’s order by making the most logical preparation for holding Schofield away, which included burning the bridges at Fayetteville, which would certainly slow Schofield down. Now those burned bridges proved to be a barrier, preventing Bragg’s forces from crossing the river and uniting with Hardee.

H
ardee stared out the window, a thunderous rainstorm lashing the house, water in sprays against the glass panes.

Johnston sat in a soft chair, read dispatches just received, notes from the cavalry, another note from Bragg. He studied the paper for a long minute, said, “He says he didn’t tell you that Schofield was on the march. You misunderstood his instructions.”

Hardee turned to Johnston, let out a breath. “Of course that’s what he says. I’ve grown accustomed to General Bragg’s way of conducting his affairs. If things don’t turn out to his liking, he merely changes the facts.”

Johnston folded the paper, put it in his pocket, and Hardee knew there was meaning to that, Johnston keeping a record of every order, and now, every mistake.

“How much did you have to abandon at Cheraw?”

Hardee hated the question, knew there would be loud complaints to Richmond, complaints Johnston might already have heard. “Sherman’s army was within a few hours’ march. We did not have the luxury of time spent loading a vast wagon train, a wagon train we did not have. I was fortunate we learned of Sherman’s whereabouts when we did.” He paused, knew he hadn’t answered Johnston’s question. “A great deal was left behind. The citizens of Charleston relied on our army to take care of more personal property than I would have hoped for, property they did not feel safe having in Charleston. I did not encourage anyone to send wagonloads of valuables to Cheraw. Panic is a disease. The people of Charleston had an epidemic all their own. I admit, my own family was stricken. My wife and daughters insisted on traveling north. I believe they are in Raleigh.” He paused. “I am forced to admit, sir, that this army became guardians of a considerable store of every kind of goods, from wine to fine carpets. I trust General Sherman is making good use of our generosity.”

“I hope your family will be safe. But I am not concerned with carpets, General. You also abandoned a considerable store of ordnance.”

“And rice and flour. Yes, powder and muskets and a number of artillery pieces. I am eager to know how any of my superior officers would have rescued so much material, without a railroad, a navigable river, or a sufficient number of wagons.”

Johnston seemed to soften, said, “There is no inquiry here, General. I am merely attempting to take inventory of our assets. It was my hope that by this date, I could have your forces united with Bragg’s. We must assume that since Sherman seems obsessed with capturing
state capitals, he is intending to march on Raleigh. There are several alternative routes he may take. Regardless, I fear that his vanguard has succeeded already in moving between our forces. We have disadvantages enough as it is. Fortunately, I do not believe Sherman’s cavalry has gained sufficient information on our positions to enable the enemy to make a decisive move against any of our positions. Such a strike could be disastrous, and we cannot afford disaster in any form.”

Hardee waited for more, studied Johnston, saw calm, rigidity, the kind of decorum Johnston was known for. He was a small man, with a neat arrow of a goatee, a severely receding hairline that accented a wide forehead. Hardee had always respected Johnston, even if he didn’t always agree with his tactics, especially in some of the fights around Atlanta. But Hardee, and most of the army, believed that Johnston was a far superior field general to either Braxton Bragg or John Bell Hood, an opinion that Johnston seemed to share. The thought flickered through Hardee’s mind.

“Is there any hope of bringing General Hood’s forces eastward?”

Johnston’s expression didn’t change, a stern soberness. “What forces are still available to General Hood are mostly recuperating from their recent campaign. Moving those people en masse from Alabama would be a challenge. I have considered the option. Even if we could make such a move, I’m certain General Hood would not accompany them. That is, of course, his choice. The difficulty lies with the lack of railroads. South and east of Atlanta, the enemy has destroyed most of the usable lines, and any movement through Tennessee would invite considerable attention. I am pleased, though, that some scattered units have reached North Carolina by foot. Admirable, certainly. A garrison has been formed at Charlotte, another at Smithfield. Brigade strength, no more. But it is something. Others might reach us within the week. We cannot depend on anything more useful than that. Any organized march by a substantial number of troops could draw the attention of General Thomas in Nashville. Should the Federals learn that Hood’s army is attempting to move in force, those men would be a tempting target, and a vulnerable one.” Johnston slid another paper across the small table to his side. “I can make available to you one division of additional cavalry. Those men have been graciously sent southward by General Lee. With the garrisons
now present in this theater, including General Bragg’s forces, I believe we can put into the field close to twenty-five thousand effectives.”

Hardee mulled the numbers in his mind, had no idea what kind of garrisons were spread out around North Carolina. “Is General Lee able to assist us with additional infantry?”

Johnston rubbed a hand over his head. “No. The situation at Petersburg is desperate. General Lee is profuse in his apologies, but he believes he requires every man in his command to fend off the pressure from Grant’s army.”

Hardee weighed Johnston’s response, felt a wave of despair. “Is there
any
place we are not grotesquely outnumbered?”

Johnston kept his grim stare, said, “Yes. Right here in this room. I believe you and I will make an effective combination, General. Also, I have sent an urgent request to General Lee that he order Bragg’s command to be placed completely under my authority. I am concerned that General Bragg might be somewhat confused by my place here. There can be no argument over whose orders take priority. Not now.”

Hardee needed no further explanation about Bragg’s tendency to claim responsibility for anyone in his own camp. The fact that Bragg was still in command of any troops in the field had been a surprise to Hardee, especially following the intrigue that had plagued the army prior to the disaster at Chattanooga. But Bragg seemed to operate in a sphere all his own, and for reasons Hardee could never grasp, Jefferson Davis was a willing accomplice to Bragg’s ongoing ambitions, a feeling Hardee knew he could never reveal to Johnston. But Johnston had opinions of his own, the well-known feud with the president, a gravelly relationship with Lee, who had come to command by replacing the wounded Johnston during the summer of 1862. Even now Hardee had nagging questions, wondering if the president had bowed to Lee’s putting Johnston in this command only because he knew that Johnston would be the best man to keep what remained of this army out of harm’s way. There was nothing about that that Hardee found encouraging. The next state border above them was Virginia.

“Sir, I must ask if you believe Sherman’s intentions are to continue his drive northward, possibly surrounding General Lee’s forces.”

“Don’t you? Nothing any of us has put in Sherman’s way has proven effective. Merely backing away and allowing him free rein through North Carolina will only hasten the end of the war in his favor.”

Hardee was curious now, thought, Well, yes, that is obvious. Then why are you here? He stood now, eyed the driving rainstorm again, dreaded the thought of a walk to his horse, a soaking return to his camp. Closer to the window, he put his fingers against the glass, felt the wet cold. He turned toward Johnston now, who was writing notes on a pad of paper.

“What are your orders, sir? I have examined the maps. I believe we can maintain a sufficient lead on Sherman’s vanguard, and I am confident that the cavalry can screen our movements to allow us to go as far as Raleigh unmolested.”

He waited for a response, thought, He knows all of that. He is no doubt mapping out a route all the way to Petersburg. Or he knows that Lee is planning a move that would bring him south.

Johnston didn’t look up, said, “General Hardee, you seem to be under the impression that I was appointed to this command in order to facilitate an ongoing retreat.”

Hardee clamped his jaw tight, thought, Weren’t you? “I’m not certain what you are referring to, sir.”

Johnston looked up at him now, a hint of a smile. “Don’t play a game with me, General. I am not endeavoring to unite our forces just so we can march away on the same road. I believe we have one hope.”

Hardee thought, That
word
again.

“Sir?”

“Sherman’s army is advancing in two primary columns, two wings, with the cavalry screening mostly to their left flank. Correct?”

“That has been his tendency, yes.”

“Why would he change those tendencies? They have worked remarkably well. I have to admit, General, when I learned that he was intending to bypass Charleston by marching through those lowlands, through those horrific conditions, I thought him mad. I’ve seen those swamps, those rivers. I’ve seen what floodwaters can do to an army. And yet, he was not swallowed up. He was barely delayed at all. His decisions defy explanation, and yet they succeed. He has maintained
a pace of march that I thought impossible, he has created roads where none exist. I admit, General, despite my loyalties, that Sherman has accomplished something remarkable.” Johnston paused. “It is possible that one day I could tell him that. He might not be a gentleman, but he has earned respect, even from his adversaries.”

“He is still our adversary.”

“Yes, and for that reason, and because he has been so unmolested, I believe we have an opportunity. As he marches north, the maps show diverse routes, roads that spread out with some distance between them. Sherman has no reason to fear us, and thus he might become careless. It is the only opportunity we are likely to have.”

“You mean, attack him?”

Johnston glared at Hardee now, as though he understood the insult. “Of course, attack him! It is my duty to make the best use of this army that I can. In the past, that has inflamed critics of my command, jokes at my expense, assumptions in Richmond that I am unwilling to fight. Be assured, General, there is still fight in this army. If Sherman allows himself to be careless, I intend to make him pay. If he unites his forces, and joins up with whatever troops Schofield brings from the seacoast, we have no chance of stopping him. But divided, it is a more equal fight. And, just like
you
, General, Sherman does not expect that we will assault him. But we
will
. I am quite certain that he is preparing himself for a valiant march into Virginia, already rehearsing what he will say to Grant, how they shall shake hands and embrace, and offer compliments to each other on their marvelous successes. But he is not prepared for a
fight
. And so, we shall give him one. With vigor.”

T
hey marched northeast, a straight avenue that would take them to Goldsboro. But Hardee’s orders were specific. He was to keep ahead of Sherman at all costs, but at the same time delay the march just enough that he might tempt Sherman’s lead columns to engage. There was one purpose, and Hardee knew it did not include any real effort to defeat Sherman’s infantry. Johnston was continuing to bring together the scattered garrisons from their various
outposts throughout North Carolina, a time-consuming effort on poor roads made even more difficult by the weather. What Johnston required was
time
, and Hardee’s was the only piece of Johnston’s army in a position to give it to him. For the cavalry, the harassment so common to both sides had turned uglier, part of that the response to both Kilpatrick and Wheeler accusing the other of various atrocities. With the armies now in much closer proximity to each other, it was becoming common for cavalry skirmishes to chatter through the pine woods and small towns on a daily basis. Whether anything would come of this was of minor concern to Hardee. His duty was clear. Keep ahead of Sherman, while slowing him down. If Hampton and Wheeler could do anything to aid that cause, Hardee had no objection at all.