The Fort: A Novel of the Revolutionary War - xaviantvision

"Ah ha! He wants real soldiers, does he?" Gates drank his second cup of tea, poured a third, then sat again. "Who pays for this?""Massachusetts," Adams said. God knew Massachusetts had already spent a fortune on the expedition, but it seemed another fortune must now beexpended and he prayed that Brigadier-General McLean had a vast chest of treasure hidden in his toy fort or else the State's debt would be crippling."Rations, transport," Gates insisted, "both must be paid for!""Of course.""And how do you convey my troops to the Penobscot River?""There is shipping in Boston," Adams said."You should have asked me a month ago," Gates said."Indeed we should.""But I suppose Massachusetts wanted the battle honor for itself, eh?"Adams gently inclined his head to indicate assent and tried to imagine this irascible, touchy, resentful Englishman in charge of the Continental Armyand was profoundly grateful for George Washington."Lieutenant!" Gates barked.The pale lieutenant appeared at the door. "Your honor?""My compliments to Colonel Jackson. His men are to march for Boston at daybreak. They march with arms, ammunition, and a day's rations. Fullorders will follow tonight. Tell the colonel he is to keep a detailed, mark that, detailed, list of all expenditures. Go."The lieutenant went."No good shilly-shallying," Gates said to Adams. "Henry Jackson's a good man and his regiment is as fine as any I've seen. They'll finish McLean'snonsense.""You are very kind, General," Adams said."Not kind at all, efficient. We have a war to win! No good sending fart-catchers and pillow-biters to do a soldier's job. You'll do me the honor of diningwith me?"Samuel Adams sighed inwardly at that prospect, but liberty had its price. "It would be a distinct privilege, your honor," he said.Because, at last, a regiment of trained American soldiers was going to Penobscot Bay.