Grant Comes East - Civil War 02 by Newt Gingrich, William Forstchen

enough time to get off and away, but the rest actually stood there, taunting, some beginning to surge forward again.
    "Fire!"
    The volley swept the street comer. Dozens dropped. "Reload!"
    There was a sharp, practiced precision to their work as they drew cartridges, reloaded, brought their weapons to the ready.
    The street corner was cloaked in smoke, dozens were on the ground in front of them, the mob was go ne. Dan turned to the major.
    "If they come back, don't hesitate to shoot. Now get those wounded taken care of, find that flag and have someone clean it."
    The major, a bit startled by what had just happened, could only salute.
    "Remember, men," Dan shouted. "These are traitors and rebels, the same that we faced in Virginia. The difference is, at least our enemies in Virginia were soldiers like us, who fought with honor."
    To his surprise a ragged cheer went up, as if his words had calmed their fears about what they had just seen and done.
    He turned and rode back across the square. A bullet hummed by, striking and chipping the brick wall beside him. He looked across the square. It was impossible to see where it had come from.
    Hell of a note, he thought, get shot by some drunk Irishman after surviving so many battles.
    More troops were continuing to pour into the square; another volley thundered from where he had just been, he didn't bother to look back. Reaching Delmonico's, he reined in and dismounted, several staff waiting there anxiously for him.
    "The governor and Mr. Tweed are inside," he was informed. "Sir, they say you're an hour late." Sickles grinned.
    "Pass the word to the regimental commanders. I want a cordon around this square, - reinforced companies at each intersection deployed and ready to fight I want some of Berdan's sharpshooters to get into buildings and w atch for bushwack ers, one almost got me a minute ago, just make sure they don't start shooting each other in the confusion. I'll be out shortly."
    Adjusting his sash and saber, Gen. Dan Sickles strode into Delmonico's, one of his favorite haunts since the early days when it had first opened farther downtown. The owner was nowhere in sight, and he chuckled, simply nodding to the maitre d', who even in all this madness was properly decked out in full formal evening wear, though the entire restaurant was deserted except for a small gathering in a darkened corner.
    Dan approached, smiling, and "Boss" Tweed stood up, his ever-expanding girth making it difficult for him to get out from behind the table.
    Tweed offered a perfunctory handshake as Dan looked around. Governor Seymour with a couple of his staffers half rose, nodded, and then sat back down.
    Dan inwardly grinned. He knew Seymour did not want him here. Though the man was terrified, still he would want the credit if the situation was restored.
    "The mayor, where is he?" Dan asked.
    "How the hell should I know?" Tweed replied. "I guess either trapped down at City Hall, or hiding."
    "I sent a telegram to meet me here."
    "At three in the morning, Sickles?" Seymour grumbled. "Aren't we getting a little high-and-mighty? And besides, you are the one who is an hour late."
    "It took time getting my men across the river and I won't have a spare moment once daylight comes.
    "Just be glad that I'm here."
    Dan smiled. No sense in getting important patrons upset.
    "My apologies, gentlemen, we're all tired, thank you for meeting me."
    "Besides, it's a good chance for a free meal."
    A waiter brought over a bottle of brandy; Dan nodded. Once the bottle was open, he took it, poured his own glass, and sat down.
    "The situation here?" Tweed shook his head.
    "I think we've lost control of the city. Maybe if you boys had won at Gettysburg and Union Mills, it might never of happened, or it wouldn't be so bad. But between that, the casualty lists, and the draft, the city just exploded. Except for some areas around City Hall, the financial district, and where a lot of militia were posted in the wealthier