Free Confederate Gold and Silver by Peter F. Warren Page A

Then he simply asked, “Is that all?” Nervously, McAulay and White answered in the affirmative. As he slowly rose from his chair, so did both captains. “Captains, it was good to see you both again. You have completed your assignment very well. As you can see, I am very tired from our forced march from Gettysburg. I will sleep on what you have told me and we will meet again in the morning after breakfast. I hope you will find our meager accommodations to your liking and I hope you both get some rest. That will be all for now.”
    That said, Lee turned and walked slowly to his nearby tent. The fatigue he had felt earlier was now even more pronounced due to the additional responsibility which had been placed upon his shoulders. He could sense he was being pushed to his limits and he knew only sleep would make things look better. As he turned to walk back towards his tent the two captains gave an awkward salute to their general, but a tired Lee never saw it. He was already focused on another responsibility given to him. Walking to his tent, Lee yelled for his aide without looking over to where Taylor now stood with McAulay and White. “Major Taylor, quickly see to the needs of our guests and then join me in my tent.”
    As quickly as he could arrange for another staff member to see to the needs of McAulay and White, Taylor walked to Lee’s tent. By now Lee had removed his uniform jacket and had started to remove his boots. “Major Taylor, where is Captain Francis? You know who I mean, Captain Judiah Francis, from the Virginia Fourth Cavalry Regiment. Is he still in the hospital or has he recovered from his wounds? Do you know?”
    “Sir, I saw him just this morning. He has been released from the hospital. He is still recovering somewhat from his injuries, but he seems to be doing well for having lost two fingers on his left hand. His days of being a cavalry officer may be in jeopardy though, but that is yet to be decided.”
    Sitting in a small wooden rocking chair, Lee looked up at Taylor. “Major, knowing Captain Francis as I do, I doubt the loss of two fingers will stop him from serving as a cavalry officer. He is, as you likely know, an excellent soldier. How do you regard Captain Francis, Major Taylor?”
    “Sir, I believe Captain Francis is indeed one of our finest officers. He is a unique combination of a Southern gentlemen and an excellent cavalry officer. I also believe him to be above reproach. He is, at least I hear he is, a fierce fighter who will not back down from a fight, no matter what the odds are. I know his men seem to have a great deal of respect for him. Sir, if you are thinking of him to lead this assignment, I would, respectfully of course, concur with your decision. Missing two fingers or not, with his experience and proven leadership skills, I believe he would be a sound choice.”
    Lee sat quiet for a moment, reflecting on the comments his trusted aide had just offered. “Major Taylor, I hate to have you do this for me, seeing it is both hot and late in the day, and I know you are as tired as I am, but I need you to find Captain Francis immediately. And Major, as you know, this has to be kept quiet. I apologize for having to tell you this, but I need to know you understand the importance of this assignment and the importance of it being kept quiet. Now go find Francis and tell him he is to meet with me for breakfast tomorrow morning at seven. He does not need to know why, nor does he need to know any of the other details at this time. After you speak with him, please make sure you personally speak with General Stuart and advise him Captain Francis has been assigned to my staff until further notice. General Stuart simply needs to know that and nothing else for now.”
    Major Taylor acknowledged the orders given to him by Lee. He then left to go find Francis.
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    The following morning was like a rebirth to Lee as he sensed he had gotten his first good nights sleep in well over a month.