those things most people might miss.”
“Makes you good at your job. Yes, I understand. Injured myself around the time the war began. Was a passenger on a train, heading to one of my early assignments. Train halted, I took a walk, slipped down a hill. Bad fall. Colonel Hough refers to it as my personal train wreck. I’m supposed to find humor in that. Nothing humorous about pain, Mr. Dana. In two years, there has been little relief.”
“Very sorry, sir. I would never make light of such a thing. Nor would I make casual remarks about a man’s chosen loyalties.”
Thomas was becoming annoyed, the pains in his back sapping his patience. “If you mean to question my upbringing, sir, and the hostilities I have endured from my own family, save that for another time. Yes, I am a Virginian. As is, I might add, General Winfield Scott. There are others in this army whose place of birth is in the South, who considered their oath of allegiance to the United States to be paramount. I believe even a newspaperman would consider that a sign of honor.”
Dana put a hand on his face, rubbed slowly. “I do not wish to agitate you, sir. Forgive me for straying from the point. I am here because I must seek your counsel.”
“For you, or for Stanton?”
“Oh, this is my own journey, sir. But certainly, the secretary is seeking some input from me about a matter of utmost urgency. Two matters, actually.”
“Get to it, Mr. Dana.”
“Yes. There is a consensus in this camp that the army can be maintained here as long as necessary, if we can bring in supplies in a consistent manner. As you know, sir, the quartermaster general, Mr. Meigs, arrived here only a few days ago with a most pessimistic forecast, that the route the supply trains must travel is difficult at best. His report inspired considerable despair from our commanding general. The supplies are out there, no question, a lengthy wagon train, so I’ve been told.”
“Yes. It’s no secret. Eight hundred wagons, at least. Just beyond the mountains to the west. That should give us time, sir, and more trains will be forthcoming. The high command of the Federal army is not forsaking us, no matter what rumors you might hear. Or, you might originate.”
Thomas regretted the insult, could see the wound in Dana’s expression. “Please, General, I am here only to observe. I hoped you would confirm what I have heard from your staff. Washington will certainly do what General Meigs requires of them to sustain this army.”
“Yes. The second matter?”
Thomas saw the hesitation again. He adjusted his back in the chair, but there was gravity in Dana’s expression, and Thomas put off his impatience. After a long pause, Dana looked at him, said, “Sir, I am of the opinion that it is no longer appropriate that General Rosecrans remain in command of this army. Mind you, I have no personal animosity toward the man. But I have observed … things.”
“I do not wish to hear your observations. I know Rosy well, and I will not entertain disparagement against an honorable man.”
Dana lowered his head, then looked up at Thomas with a slight nod. “As you wish, General. But you are not deaf, dumb, or blind. Your loyalty to your commander is admirable. But my loyalty is to events as I see them. General Rosecrans is demonstrating a lack of fitness for command. You may not enjoy hearing that. But the secretary has already heard it, believes it, and the president is in agreement with him. A decision has to be made.”
“I wish no part of that discussion. I am his subordinate, after all.”
“You also outrank him. I have done my research, sir.”
“Are you suggesting … are you intending to report to Washington that my name should be considered—”
Dana held up a hand. “Let’s not go that far. I can offer suggestions, certainly. But I have no influence on what is decided in Washington.”
Thomas felt something turn over in his stomach, the cold reality that Rosecrans
“Makes you good at your job. Yes, I understand. Injured myself around the time the war began. Was a passenger on a train, heading to one of my early assignments. Train halted, I took a walk, slipped down a hill. Bad fall. Colonel Hough refers to it as my personal train wreck. I’m supposed to find humor in that. Nothing humorous about pain, Mr. Dana. In two years, there has been little relief.”
“Very sorry, sir. I would never make light of such a thing. Nor would I make casual remarks about a man’s chosen loyalties.”
Thomas was becoming annoyed, the pains in his back sapping his patience. “If you mean to question my upbringing, sir, and the hostilities I have endured from my own family, save that for another time. Yes, I am a Virginian. As is, I might add, General Winfield Scott. There are others in this army whose place of birth is in the South, who considered their oath of allegiance to the United States to be paramount. I believe even a newspaperman would consider that a sign of honor.”
Dana put a hand on his face, rubbed slowly. “I do not wish to agitate you, sir. Forgive me for straying from the point. I am here because I must seek your counsel.”
“For you, or for Stanton?”
“Oh, this is my own journey, sir. But certainly, the secretary is seeking some input from me about a matter of utmost urgency. Two matters, actually.”
“Get to it, Mr. Dana.”
“Yes. There is a consensus in this camp that the army can be maintained here as long as necessary, if we can bring in supplies in a consistent manner. As you know, sir, the quartermaster general, Mr. Meigs, arrived here only a few days ago with a most pessimistic forecast, that the route the supply trains must travel is difficult at best. His report inspired considerable despair from our commanding general. The supplies are out there, no question, a lengthy wagon train, so I’ve been told.”
“Yes. It’s no secret. Eight hundred wagons, at least. Just beyond the mountains to the west. That should give us time, sir, and more trains will be forthcoming. The high command of the Federal army is not forsaking us, no matter what rumors you might hear. Or, you might originate.”
Thomas regretted the insult, could see the wound in Dana’s expression. “Please, General, I am here only to observe. I hoped you would confirm what I have heard from your staff. Washington will certainly do what General Meigs requires of them to sustain this army.”
“Yes. The second matter?”
Thomas saw the hesitation again. He adjusted his back in the chair, but there was gravity in Dana’s expression, and Thomas put off his impatience. After a long pause, Dana looked at him, said, “Sir, I am of the opinion that it is no longer appropriate that General Rosecrans remain in command of this army. Mind you, I have no personal animosity toward the man. But I have observed … things.”
“I do not wish to hear your observations. I know Rosy well, and I will not entertain disparagement against an honorable man.”
Dana lowered his head, then looked up at Thomas with a slight nod. “As you wish, General. But you are not deaf, dumb, or blind. Your loyalty to your commander is admirable. But my loyalty is to events as I see them. General Rosecrans is demonstrating a lack of fitness for command. You may not enjoy hearing that. But the secretary has already heard it, believes it, and the president is in agreement with him. A decision has to be made.”
“I wish no part of that discussion. I am his subordinate, after all.”
“You also outrank him. I have done my research, sir.”
“Are you suggesting … are you intending to report to Washington that my name should be considered—”
Dana held up a hand. “Let’s not go that far. I can offer suggestions, certainly. But I have no influence on what is decided in Washington.”
Thomas felt something turn over in his stomach, the cold reality that Rosecrans
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