[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
between Belfast and Dublin. The first message was rushed to Sherman, who
quickly read through the sheets of paper while his staff looked on in silence.
Page 179
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"The landings went very well. No resistance whatsoever on the shore of the
north coast. Our information was correct. No troops stationed there. They
reached Belfast on schedule. Some heavy resistance, but our forces prevailed.
But they are now under attack from Scotch troops north of the city. Lee is of
the opinion that the British have landed troops on the coast north of Belfast.
He has sent the USSStalwart to investigate and he is proceeding to the
battlefront now." Sherman dropped the report onto his desk. General Meagher
picked it up and read it, then passed it to the other staff officers. Sherman
had turned to look out of the window, his eyes cold and distant. Seeing past
Dublin to Ulster and the clash of forces there.
"I don't like this at all. The north was always going to be the unknown
quantity, and it is proving so now. We have succeeded in the south. All of the
coast defenses have been seized and manned as was planned. With the coastal
defenses in our hands and an ironclad in each major port it will be very
difficult for British forces to make any landings of importance along the east
coast. Our navy has possession of the sea for the moment. We can defend
ourselves here." He turned his chair back and spoke to his staff.
"We must be bold. Get a telegram to General Jackson in Cork. I want him to
send at least half of his forces to join us here in Dublin. Bring along any
cannon he has seized as well. General Meagher, you and men of the Irish
Brigade must hold the defenses that we now occupy. I am sending the 15th
Pennsylvania and the 10th New York to reinforce Lee."
He looked again at the map. "When General Jackson's troops arrive I'll send
them on to Belfast. General Lee must hold." He turned to Captain Green.
"Get word to CommanderGoldsborough aboardAvenger. Apprise him of the
situation here. Tell him that he is to remain in Dublin, since his guns are
vital to our defenses. But if I find that his ironclad is needed in the north
he must be prepared to sail immediately."
This was the first time that the rail line from Dublin to Belfast had been
used in the invasion. The men of the 15th Pennsylvania marched slowly through
Dublin to the station. They had been awake for over thirty-six hours, and in
combat for half of that time. They were exhausted but still ready to fight.
The quartermaster had seen that their bullet pouches were full. Hot rations
were waiting for them before they boarded the train. Within minutes most of
them were asleep. They were good soldiers, General Sherman thought, as he
walked the length of the train and looked through the windows at the sleeping
forms. They needed the rest.
He did too, but he had no time for it. He could sleep only after the
reinforcements were on their way north. Guns from Dublin Castle were now being
carried through the streets by Dublin draymen. Powder and shot would follow,
and theGatling guns, then more and more ammunition would be needed. The trains
the invaders had used to get here from Galway must return there to get the
ammunition that was being unloaded from the troop ships. His staff would take
care of all of this. They were good and efficient officers. Maybe he could
take that rest after all.
General Robert E. Lee's horse was a sturdy hunter. Not half the horse
thatTraveller was, but serviceable indeed. At a steady gallop he passed the
horse-drawnGatling guns, then the marching troops. Captain Green, on a slower
horse, could barely keep up.
"Let's hear it for good old Bobby Lee!" one of the soldiers called out as he
Page 180
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
rode by and a great cheer went up. He waved his hat at them and headed for the
sound of firing. It grew louder and closer and, when he heard the bullets
crackling through the tree leaves above, he dismounted and Green joined him;
they led their horses forward. Around a bend they came to a large oak tree
with two gray-clad soldiers lying under it. One had a bandage around his head
and appeared to be unconscious. The other, with a sergeant's stripes, had his
arm in a sling: he touched the brim of his hat with his left hand.
"Colonel sent me back with Caleb, General. Seeing how I can't fire no gun or
nothing and Caleb, he's doing poorly."
"What is the situation that you know of?"
"Pretty bad until he showed up with his men. We're hunkered down behind a
stone wall but them Scotties coming around the flanks. More and more of them."
Lee turned slowly, looking at the terrain with a general's eye. Then he took
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]