Rally Cry Read Free Page A

officers are already there."
    "Well, gentlemen, we must not keep the captain waiting," Andrew said evenly, and they followed the young ensign aft.
    "Ah, so the good colonel has at last deigned to join us," Cromwell growled as Bullfinch led the three into the narrow confines of the officers' mess.
    Andrew looked about the room. His company officers were all present, but his second in command, the regimental quartermaster, and the rest of his headquarters staff were not there.
    "Your staff have already left with General Terry."
    Andrew recognized the remaining men of the 44th New York Light Artillery and nodded a greeting to Major O'Donald, their burly red-bearded commander, who with mock severity raised a glass of wine in his direction.
    "Into their cups already," Weiss whispered.
    The reputation of the 44th was well known. Recruited from the Five Points district of New York, they were considered some of the hardest drinkers and brawlers in the army. Their only saving grace was that no matter how hard they brawled among themselves and with anyone who wandered near them, they were ten times harder on the rebs.
    "I'm going to make this short. I still have to see to the rest of our delayed loading," Cromwell said, looking
    accusingly at Andrew, who stared back evenly at this man who seemed to be going out of his way to make an enemy.
    "Aboard this ship, I rule and you follow. Your men are to stay out of our way. Any problems between your men and mine, I handle it."
    "The 35th takes care of their own, " Andrew said softly.
    "Aye, lad, and the same for the 44th," said O'Donald.
    Tobias looked from one commander to the other.
    "Regulations state—"
    "I know the regulations, captain," Andrew said, his voice pitched so low that those in the far corner of the room could barely hear him. "But I will not surrender authority of my command over to you. I acknowledge your right to run this ship. I would not consider interfering, but likewise I shall not accept your interfering in my command. If there is a problem between your people and mine we shall both look into it according to military law."
    "Like I already said," O'Donald retorted, coming around the table to stand by Andrew's side.
    Tobias looked from one to the other, aware of the barely suppressed grins from the other infantry and artillery officers, who, unlike Tobias, knew what could happen if their respective commanders were aroused.
    Tobias started to speak and then fell silent.
    "If there is a problem," he finally replied, "then it'll be your responsibility, for I plan to put your statements into my report."
    "By all means do so," Andrew stated. "We must, of course, follow the proper procedures. As I likewise shall do."
    There was an icy silence that held for what seemed like hours but in fact was only a matter of seconds.
    "Well, we understand each other then," Tobias replied, suddenly changing to a display of bluff comradely spirit.
    "Before sailing, General Terry left you written orders which I believe you are already aware of."
    Andrew merely nodded.
    "There's a nurse from the Christian Sanitation Commission aboard this ship. She missed her transport, which left earlier," and as he spoke he gave an obvious grimace of disdain. "I don't like women aboard this ship—it's nothing but trouble. I've quartered her in my cabin, where a guard has been posted. I think we're in agreement that her quarters are strictly off-limits to both enlisted and commissioned personnel."
    "I am sure we can trust that all here will observe the necessary proprieties," Andrew replied sharply, "as I am sure your men will as well."
    Tobias stared at Andrew coldly.
    "We sail within the hour then," Tobias continued. "Weather being good, we should make the passage down the James River and into the Chesapeake before tomorrow evening. Out into the Atlantic it'll be another twenty-four hours to our rendezvous point off Beaufort, North Carolina , and from there we proceed to our station off Fort Fisher .
    "As