A Cold, Bleak Hill: Volume 5
Book Series: Prelude to Glory
Author: Ron Carter
Publisher: Bookcraft
Publishing date: 2001
Pages: 554
Number of Chapters: 33
Volume 5 spans 18 months: Jan 1777-July 1778
Chapter 1
We begin with some review (in case the reader forgot or hasn't read the previous volumes). It is January, 1777 and George Washington has just taken Princeton (thx Alexander Hamilton!). Now he must decide where to winter. He'll go to Morristown. Jump forward five months to May, 1777, and Washington assembles his officers to discuss what the British will do and how to prepare for Burgoyne and Howe's invasions (don't worry, Burgoyne will fail). Now it's early July, 1777, and a young, fresh-faced boy from Boston is eager to join the army and be a hero, until he offends a quick-tempered Irishman and gets knocked senseless. Now Caleb works every evening with a homemade punching bag until the sweat rolls off him, under the careful tuteladge of (he IS from England) Charles Dorman. We get his POV as he recalls his own dark, depressing childhood: orphaned as a baby by his unwed teenage mom, raised in charity, beaten, abused, neglected, he joined the Navy and became a prizefighter which led to his immigration to America. Inspired by the predominating spirit of freedom, this never married (come on, REALLY?) good man sees Caleb as someone he can be a father figure to (and that's it!).
July 1777, Middlebrook, where Washington meets, for the first time, a nineteen year old Frenchman, newly married, well educated, with enough money to last three lifetimes who has dedicated himself to the American cause of liberty-Marie Joseph Paul Yves Rock Gilbert du Morier de Lafayette. (While Alexander Hamilton shows him into Washington's office, he was NOT the one responsible for their formal introduction. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were!). Washington immediately makes Lafayette one of his generals (he has military experience) and this looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Side note: On page 36 we are told the Dunson family are members of the Congregationalist faith.
Chapter 2
Some background on British General William Howe and his campaign to subdue the Americans whom he greatly admires while the reader may remember from Vol. 3 chapter 11 that Howe is enjoying an affair with a married woman. He assembles his Generals to discuss what they can do to help Burgoyne in taking Fort Ticonderoga while keeping an eye on Washington who has a network of spies, mostly washerwomen working for the British, who keep Washington informed of their movements. Washington knows he must keep the British from invading and occupying Philadelphia where the Continental Congress currently meets.
Chapter 3
July 1777
Caleb carries a spear (no money for extra muskets, thanks to stingy Congress!) and marches with the other men who grumble about the confusion. Nobody knows exactly where Washington plans to engage Howe. One day, French muskets arrive and Caleb gets one, remarking on the quality of the weapon as his father was a respected gunsmith and Caleb often helped him in his work. He's moving up, both in soldiering and working with Dorman. More days pass of marching, making camp and wood duty where one man gets bit by a rattlesnake. Caleb, ever the budding writer, obtains paper and pencil to document the incident.
Chapter 4
A sergeant tells Caleb the army needs men who can read and write and would Caleb like the job of keeping "camp minutes" in the orderly book? Caleb refuses but later accepts. Meanwhile, the British are cowering out on the water and everyone is on edge for the next battle, if it ever comes. They wander like Arabs up and down the New England coast while Howe stays in his boats and won't come ashore to engage them. Washington is baffled.
Chapter 5
Mary Flint is remembering her past (for the reader's benefit). Only two dying men remain in the hospital at Morristown. One is just a boy and he dies in Mary's arms. The new doctor in charge is Dr. Folsom and to him, Mary spills all (more exposition): widowed, no family, denied the money left to her by the kind British doctor. All she has to do is say the name, "Eli" and Dr. Folsom knows she has feelings for this man.
Chapter 6
August 1777
Howe's army has been stuck on those ships for 47 days and Washington can't understand why Howe won't stop somewhere and challenge them. His patrols report no change. Washington orders Hamilton to assemble his Generals for a war council anyway. They will be prepared. Caleb and Dorman spar with each other. Caleb improves everyday.
Chapter 7
Howe finally gives an order to go ashore and take Philadelphia. His troops are starving. They burn and loot on the way. Alexander Hamilton announces the arrival of the other Generals who report this activity. Washington will take his army in that direction to protect their capital city.
Chapter 8
September 1777
With no idea of their mutual connection to Billy Weems, Mary and Caleb help bury a soldier who died of smallpox and had to be buried immediately to avoid outbreak. They are camped near Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania. The sun is rising on Washington's camp when a messenger arrives-the British are coming! Alexander Hamilton grins at the news as Washington orders everyone to start organizing themselves to meet Howe.
Chapter 9
Howe and his Generals plan their attack. It's a short chapter.
Chapter 10
September 1777
This is a true story about Thomas Cheyney: a happily married farmer who lives in the Brandywine Creek area with his wife and four children. Worried about British vandalism and confiscation of their food and livestock, Thomas and his oldest son are harvesting their wheat crop when the British appear on the horizon. Thomas sends his family into the woods to hide, then rides to warn all his neighbors, continuing on to where Washington is camped with his troops. Despite his brave actions, British did raid and loot many farms in that area.
Chapter 11
The waiting is finally over and the Battle of Brandywine Creek commences. Caleb sees death for the first time. Thomas Chayney rides in with news of where British are and which direction they're headed. Washington issues orders to his men via Alexander Hamilton who makes several trips back and forth, repeating Washington's verbal orders to his Generals but it's too late. The British attack. Caleb is caught up in the retreat until Washington rides in to rally his men. Lafayette is also leading a charge against the British. They fight and fall back courageously. British win but the Americans will engage again, soon.
Chapter 12
Nightmares plague Caleb from the recent battle. Dorman shakes him awake and they talk some more about revenge and killing. They spar to help Caleb get his mind off his PTS till dusk. Caleb writes home. Next day they march.
A few days later, in the middle of the night, one of General Howe's divisions charge the New York Ninth camp as they sleep out in the open, stabbing them all with bayonets. All except Caleb who escapes with a superficial wound. Still unseen he swims the Schuylkill River and runs to tell George Washington, personally. Alexander Hamilton admits Private Caleb Dunson and stays to hear Caleb's story. Washington tells Hamilton to take Caleb and find his superior officer to confirm Caleb's report. Hamilton returns and says it's all true, there WAS a massacre.
Chapter 13
Howe takes Philadelphia without a single shot fired. He successfully tricked Washington into thinking he was marching to Reading, Pennsylvania to seize the American stores of supplies for the army. To celebrate his easy victory, Howe orders Joshua Loring to come on down to the city of Philadelphia. Oh, and be sure to bring your wife, Elizabeth.
Chapter 14
October 1777
Washington orders a war council which includes such non-commissioned officers as Caleb Dunson, Alexander Hamilton and fellow aide John Laurens who also sit in on the council. Lafyette is not there, injured at Brandywine, currently recovering. All are glad to hear it. Howe has split his army with a smaller force stationed at a place called Germantown which they will attack and thus regain some much needed morale. To prepare, volunteers are needed to scout the woods, locate the British and report back. Caleb agrees to go since his training with Dorman has prepared him for this kind of spy work. An old woodsman, also named Caleb, last name Pryor will be the leader. He promises to look after Caleb.
Like Billy and Eli, the two Calebs move, Indian-like, through the forest at night, find the British camp and return to report to a stuck up snob named Captain Furniss. Caleb exits the tent, blowing air when he's struck dumb by one of the camp doctors who just happens to be accompanied by the most beautiful young woman Caleb ever saw in his life. She has auburn hair and green eyes and her name is Nancy Fremont. They talk while the doctor is inside the tent with Captain Furniss discussing a recent medical outbreak. Nancy is Caleb's age and learning to be a nurse.
Pryor and Caleb return to the woods to help the army get revenge for the earlier Ch. 12 massacre. There's a chaotic battle as the British retreat from the advancing Americans but heavy fog creates confusion and the British end up the victors at the Battle of Germantown.
Chapter 15
November 1777
It's getting cold. Billy is returning from his long trip North where he left Eli newly reunited with his sister and her little family. He asks a German farmer in Pennsylvania for directions to Washington's camp who gives Billy food and lodgings for the night as well as some warm clothes. Billy is grateful.
Chapter 16
Our favorite Sergeant Turlock is delighted to see Billy again after his long absence, glad to hear Eli found his sister and informs Billy that Mary is here and is sweet on Eli. Billy says Eli returns those feelings. The two men catch up on news which the reader should already be familiar with from the last book.
Chapter 17
Politics and gridlock by Congress frustrate Washington as to the best course of action he should take to establish winter quarters for his already starving, freezing, army. He consults, privately, with Colonel John Laurens and (Washington's "right-hand man!") Alexander Hamilton. Both men reflect just how often they've seen this great commander in chief weeping and praying over the state of his suffering army. As for the decision on where to winter, Washington has decided on a place called Valley Forge. His aides concur. Things are also not good on the political side of this war. Most of the original members of the Continental Congress who chose Washington to lead the newly formed army have left, replaced by those who don't like Washington. This includes certain men currently serving under Washington (General Gates) who are working secretly to try and overthrow him. Their recent Germantown loss only adds fuel to this fire.
The good news is, Hamilton says, Billy Weems has returned from his scouting expedition and will be ready to make his report first thing tomorrow morning.
Chapter 18
December 1777
Meet Lydia Darragh, an old Quaker woman living in British occupied Philadelphia who have taken over her home to hold their war council meetings and forced Lydia to cook and serve them their meals. Today, she just happens to overhear some vital information that could destroy George Washington and his army-Howe has given orders for these Generals to march on Washington's camp in a surprise attack and totally annihilate them. This should successfully end the war.
Horrified, this brave older woman tells no one, not even her husband, until the following day when she leaves the city, getting past the guards by telling them she's going to buy flour for the important British general staying in her home. They let her pass. Lydia gets the heavy sack of flour and, with a prayer in her heart, by a miracle, a Philadelphia man on a horse happens to ride by whom she recognizes. A man she knows is currently serving under General Washington. She gives him the message which he promises to relay.
Next Lydia goes to a nearby tavern where, by another miracle, a man spying for Washington talks to her and she spontaneously confides in him. He too promises to pass this critical information on to Washington. This is a true story and Lydia Darragh's actions likely saved Washington's army.
Chapter 19
Welcome to Valley Forge where General Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the entire Continental army have resorted to eating their horses! There is literally nothing to sustain and shelter a starving army here in this valley: no supplies, no local farms or farmers who will give them aid. The entire area consists of just a few small buildings, scattered farms and log huts. The good news is there's plenty of trees and open fields for the men to camp. All out in the open of course.
Washington orders his army to form groups/teams/squads of twelve men each and begin building shelters. To boost morale, a competition is declared; the first team to complete their shelter wins the purse of money from Washington's own pocket. Billy and Turlock know their team is up to the challenge and everyone gets to work.
Chapter 20
Yay, Eli's here! Back from his visit where he left his sister in good health. He finds Billy and Turlock and helps them finish completing their shelter while his friends catch him up on all the news, including Mary who hasn't arrived yet. Eli reports to Washington. Hamilton sits in, observing and silently reacting (Hasn't anyone ever taught this man to salute?). Washington's hut is just as crude as the rest of his men. No indoor fire pit. The only form of smoke in the room is their breath. Eli is the healthiest man in the entire camp as well as the most warmly dressed in a wolf-skin coat he made himself. He's alarmed seeing the state of conditions around him since his arrival. Washington shares his frustration. He's already written a letter to congress. Eli will deliver it.
Chapter 21
Mary and Dr. Folsom arrive at Valley Forge and set up a crude hospital in an abandoned barn. Eli is returning from New York where Congress currently meets since getting kicked out of Philly (they evacuated safely before British arrived). A group of well fed men on horses meet Eli and request to ride with him to Valley Forge but Eli is suspicious. He draws his rifle and when the men refuse to answer his questions he disarms them sending all but one running into the woods. True to his nature, Eli calmly leads their horses and his latest prisoner, who is a robber. It was common back then to pose as a loyal Washington patriot and take advantage of innocent travelers. Washington is pleased. Hamilton runs for back up as the prisoner threatens to bolt while Eli has only to flash his tomahawk and the man restrains himself. Washington gives orders to locate, if possible, the owners of the six stolen horses. If no reports have been filed, the army can certainly use them.
Immediately following his conference with the General, Eli wastes no time locating Mary where these two FINALLY get their sweet reunion; hugging before Mary take the initiative by impulsively kissing Eli right on the mouth! Eli returns the kiss.
Chapter 22
January 1778
Caleb takes his turn in the two hour picket rotation at midnight in below freezing temperatures. Most men have no shoes. Caleb's hut shares one threadbare coat. Caleb stands on the burlap sack, the only protection their bare feet have from the snowy, frozen ground. Caleb's own shoes are holding up but he suffers from starvation along with the rest of the army. Luckily, his new girlfriend Nancy has been coming to visit, bringing him hot tea or thin, watery soup while he stands guard at his post. Like Liesl and Rolf from The Sound of Music, Nancy asks Caleb to "write her a letter" which he promises to do. Next day, it occurs to Caleb that Billy Weems is probably here somewhere too. He should try to find him, Billy might have news about home as Caleb has neglected to write since he ran away. (Shame on you Caleb!)
Chapter 23
Nothing but moldy flour and water to make "firecakes" to eat. Billy helps a man write to his wife and family, a real letter the author included as an example of how valued education was back then. Eli visits Mary in the house donated to Dr. Folsom and his staff so their hospital conditions have slightly improved since he last saw her but Mary is troubled by the lack of food and medicine for these poor, dying men. She worries for Eli who is leaving to scout for Washington. Eli lifts her chin, reassuring her that he'll be just fine and makes her promise to take care of herself-he's not liking the sound of that persistent cough. Mary blushes and changes the subject to Eli's coat, the envy of every man in camp. Eli grins and tells Mary when he gets back, he'll make her one.
Chapter 24
February 1778
Eli returns from his scouting trip for food, as Washington requested. Hamilton and Laurens are also allowed to sit in on this meeting. Washington's been granted permission by Congress to seize anything usable from outlaying farms and villages. Plenty of food and supplies out there, only one problem, says Eli, no means to transport it back to their camp while the locals would rather sell to the British who offer better prices. (They only take British money, so sing a song of sixpence.) This is why everyone in Washington's camp is starving. Food is so close but they have no way to get it. The winter roads are also impassable. They might as well be trapped.
Chapter 25
Martha "Lady Washington" arrives to lift everyone's spirits. Washington managed to establish new headquarters in a local house where he can properly receive guests. Alexander Hamilton escorts the General's Lady around the camp. (Did she really name her feral tomcat after him?) A widow who married George Washington at age 27 (thx Wiki) they are both now in their late 40's. This elect lady gets right to work visiting and administering to the sick. She requests her husband to send for flour and other supplies and gets right to work making soup and baking several loaves of bread which she personally delivers to the hospital (she was appalled at the conditions and the declining health of Mary Flint the day before). Mary helps her distribute the bounty. They visit a soldier and his wife as he lay sick and dying; Lady Washington prays over him. True story.
Chapter 26
Nancy visits Caleb in the middle of another freezing winter night as she's been doing for weeks as he takes his nightly picket rotation. She brings beef broth tonight. They talk about the future of Washington's army and Caleb shares what he's been recording in the orderly book. She gives him a letter in answer to the one he agreed to write her. He takes her in his arms and she kisses him back.
Nancy takes her leave and as soon as the early morning dawn provides sufficient light, Caleb rips it open. Nothing earth shattering in Nancy's letter-"My dearest, Caleb. I think about you all the time. How I long for this war to be over so we can be together always. I'm so proud of you...ect." and Caleb isn't cold anymore.
There's a new arrival in camp. Baron von Steuben from Germany, a true war hero who served under Frederick the Great. He's come to America with an interpreter to throw his lot in with General Washington and his army. Ben Franklin was influential in sending him over.
Chapter 27
February 1778
A rifle shot in the night awakens Caleb and the others in their hut. A picket confronted a suspicious man and shot him, wounding him in the leg. Caleb helps bring the man inside their hut for questioning. They strip him and find a note in the toe of his boot that looks like a coded message: "Wheat winnowed. Ready for grinding. Signed, Nathan Ferguson." Poor Caleb. He recognizes the "N" and "F" as Nancy's elegant handwriting. He compares this note with the letter she gave him the other night. They are the same. His girlfriend is a SPY! Turns out she's English, (Narrative never once mentioned if Nancy had an accent. We just assumed she was American; good job, Ron Carter!) but she DID like Caleb, even found herself falling in love with him. Caleb speaks to his superior officer on her behalf pleading for the lightest sentence possible. Nancy will be sent back to England instead of being hung as a traitor and a spy.
Chapter 28
Eli wakes Billy for his picket rotation. His own watch done, he's off to hunt a wolf for Mary's coat. He kills two and shares the carcasses with his starving friends who devour it and boil the bones for good measure.
Baron von Steuben speaks frankly and openly to George Washington about the state of his army-it all sucks (hearing this, the eyebrows of Hamilton and Laurens nearly hit the ceiling) but he also proposes some helpful solutions. He will begin immediately to train these ragtags into a real, disciplined, morally strong, ready to fight army of soldiers. His secret? By explaining to these simple men the reasons why they are being made to learn and do these rigorous training exercises, they will obey. Washington thanks him, giving him full authority to carry out his plan and he is dismissed. Next item of business: Caleb and his superior officer are brought in to report on the discovery of the spy network in the camp. Private Dunson shows his brave and noble character for a boy of just seventeen; ready to sacrifice his puppy love for the good of the Revolution. Washington and his aides are silently impressed.
Chapter 29
April 1778
Eli discovers the spring fish, called Shad, are running and sounds the alarm for everyone to get to the Schuylkill river and catch them. Washington's army is saved from starvation-true story. The next day, orders for each regiment are issued-two men will report to the Baron to begin his military training lessons which they will then return and teach their own companies. Alexander Hamilton provided input into this new manual of arms and drill written by the Baron which someone else translated for both so they could exchange notes.
Billy and Caleb finally run into each other and there's a good reunion. Billy invites Caleb to come to his hut so they can catch up.
Chapter 30
May 1778
Drilling continues under the stern eye of Baron von Steuben. Some men grumble about the Baron's new rule forbidding card playing and gambling. Washington, who enjoys a good game of whist himself, sets the example by telling Alexander Hamilton to destroy his own deck of cards. Hamilton also has good news. (Ev'ryone give it up for America's favorite fighting Frenchman!) Thanks to Lafayette, France has recognized them as free and independent states in a newly signed treaty. They are sending help in the form of a ship filled with armed men to aid them against their common enemy. Food has been acquired and just arrived. Washington tells Hamilton to supervise fair distribution among all the companies. Another item of business: one of Washington's Major Generals, Charles Lee, (I'm a General. Whee!) one of the British POWs recently exchanged will be arriving in camp today. Lady Washington has prepared a banquet to welcome him.
Morale is up. The Baron is very proud of his new soldiers who have accepted him as one of their own. Their marching formation is perfect. They move and respond as one. They are ready. The Baron makes a funny joke about celebrating the end of their training with a banquet-sans pants-because every pair is worn so thin they might as well be wearing nothing at all!
Chapter 31
June 1778
Billy writes a long letter to his mother which includes the news of finding Caleb and the hard winter everyone experienced here in Valley Forge. Washington meets in a war council. They are ready and the time is ripe to engage the British.
Caleb is finishing up his final days of training. Everyone is in a good mood. The weather is warm and they've become a stronger, better army. Then, up steps that Irishman, Conlin Murphy, who beat Caleb to a pulp on his very first day in the army last summer but thanks to Dorman, who is right there to observe notes to himself that Celeb is more than ready to step up and take on the bigger man. Caleb defeats Murphy, knocking him out with a solid blow to the jaw after breaking his nose. As men run for the doctor, Caleb does the Christian thing, washing the bully's face and staying with him until the medical team arrives. Murphy and Caleb have little to say to each other but later that night, by the campfire, Dorman and Caleb talk about being a bully and when to walk away from a fight.
Billy finds Eli wringing his hands over Mary. He LOVES her. He wants to MARRY her but fears it would never work. He's an introverted loner, a half-woodsman raised by Indians. She's a cultured city gal from a wealthy family. Billy and Turlock both hit Eli over the head with this good advice, "Why don't you just go talk to her (you idiot)?" So Eli does and Mary reassures him-if you love me that would be enough (look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now). They will get married and the honeymoon will be the trip north by canoe and on foot to Eli's sister's place where Eli is sure Mary will be more than welcomed into the family and be allowed to stay. Mary agrees to the plans.
But first, there's a battle that needs to be fought with the British. Billy and Turlock are happy for their friend. See you on the other side of the war.
Chapter 32
Dressed in his beaded, buckskin hunting shirt, leggings and moccasins, Eli reports to General Washington with Alexander Hamilton sitting in, as usual. Eli confirms the British are vulnerable to attack as they plan to move to Staten Island in New York which Washington wants to prevent. General Lee and his troops are already in position at Monmouth with strict written orders to engage the British and stop them from crossing the Harbor waters to Staten Island.
Washington sends Hamilton, Henry Knox and Eli to find out what's going on as Lee should've started his attack by now. Boom goes the cannon but no sounds of musket fire. The three scouts come galloping back to report Lee is in FULL RETREAT. An incredulous Washington mounts his white mare and rides to investigate. Washington, Von Stuben and another general (Not Lafayette) stop the men and organize them into two groups to take up defensive positions and attack. Thanks to the Baron's rigorous winter training at Valley Forge, they succeed.
Washington turns and nearly runs over a very confused and befuddled looking General Lee. (What are you doing, Lee? Get back on your feet!) Still caught up in his own bravado, Lee argues he received the wrong message from one of his scouts and felt the best order was retreat. Besides, HE never liked the Monmouth plan, HE thought they should attack Pittsburgh instead.
Washington vents his righteous wrath against this man using language that would make a sailor blush. (But there's so many of them! I'm sorry, is this not your speed?) Shaking in his boots, Lee vows he'll obey orders this time by being the last to leave the field. Alexander Hamilton draws his sword and answers, "That's right, my dear General, and I will stay and we will all die here on the spot!" Hamilton stares Lee down, ensuring he won't run while Washington gallops off to organize more men into fighting ranks.
It is a hot, sweltering, summer day. American cannons buck and roar. Among the gun crew are husband and wife "team" John Hayes and his wife, Mary. When John falls, his brave wife runs to bring him water. Other dehydrated men beg for water too. Mary makes several trips while the battle continues to rage all around her. With her husband lying dead, she steps up and takes over his position at the cannon for the remainder of the afternoon. This woman will go down in history as the famous "Molly Pitcher." In the morning, Washington's scouts report the British have abandoned their camp. They are the victors.
Several days later, Hamilton meets with Washington. There's a message from Lee, defending himself against his cowardly actions on the battlefield. (As far as this story is concerned, no duel was ever fought for Washington's honor over this incident and Lee never spoke out publicly against his commander in chief. Lee was court-martialed instead and that was it.) Chapter notes state The Battle of Monmouth is the only incident where Washington reportedly lost control in chastising an officer or soldier by resorting to profanity.
Chapter 33
July 1778
The wedding of Eli Stroud to Mary Flint is held in a small courthouse. (Look into your eyes and the sky's the limit) They are married by real-life character Dr. Albigence Waldo, a major in the United States army, who is a bit nervous as this is his first time officiating at a wedding. Eli is wearing borrowed clothes-a white, ruffled shirt, royal blue tunic, breeches and square toed shoes. Mary is in a simple white cotton gown (Helpless!) that ten nurses hurried to make for her. The "I do's" are exchanged, they kiss and all in attendance cry. Billy gave Mary away. Sergeant Turlock was
THE END
No comments:
Post a Comment