Antebellum BK 1 (63 page)

Paul opened his mouth to argue but changed his mind.

“
Slavery is a divisive issue even in the South,” Robert continued. “If you truly believe it to be wrong, your duty is to stay and try to change it.”

“
It isn’t just slavery,” Paul said. “It’s the arrogance of the white gentry. Beauty Stuart told me not to mention to anyone that Mother’s half Montauk or that Grandmother’s Mexican.” He glanced at his brother. “I’ve never been ashamed of who I was before but…”

“
That’s your fault,” Johnny interrupted. “If you’re ashamed of Mother and Grandmother it’s not the fault of the South or of Jeb Stuart. It’s yours. All yours.”

Paul spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness. “I have to get away from there. It’s turning me into someone that I don’t want to be.”

January 3, 1860

Arlington, Virginia

A
n aura of calm surrounded Colonel Robert E. Lee even though his eyes glittered like black diamonds. “I do understand your dilemma, Lieutenant Van Buskirk, I really do. And I take no offense at your reference to me as Granny Lee. I have had many nicknames since I was a plebe at West Point. Granny is perhaps the least offensive and the most affectionate.”

He looked out over the manicured lawn of his plantation. “There are few, I believe, in this enlightened age, who will not acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil.
I
think it is a greater evil to the white than to the colored race. The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, physically, and socially.”

“
Forgive me, sir, but being whipped and chained by a white man hardly seems a step up from being whipped and chained by a black man,” Paul replied.

“
The painful discipline they are undergoing is necessary for their further instruction as a race, and will prepare them, I hope, for better things.”

“
Better things like freedom, sir?”

“
Yes.”

“
When will they see it, Colonel?”

“
How long their servitude may be necessary is known and ordered by a merciful Providence. Their emancipation will sooner result from the mild and melting influences of Christianity than from the storm and tempest of fiery controversy. Christian influence, though slow, is sure. The doctrines and miracles of our Savior have required nearly two thousand years to convert only a small portion of the human race, and even among Christian nations, what gross errors still exist.

“
While we see the course of the final abolition of human slavery is still onward, and give it the aid of our prayers, let us leave the progress as well as the results in the hands of Him who chooses to work by slow influences, and with whom a thousand years are but as a single day.”

“
I fear that the abolitionists are unwilling to wait thousands of years, sir.”

“
Although the abolitionist must know this, must know that he has neither the right nor the power of operating, except by moral means; that to benefit the slave he must not excite angry feelings in the master; that, although he may not approve the mode by which Providence accomplishes its purpose, the results will be the same; and that the reason he gives for interference in matters he has no concern with holds good for every kind of interference with our neighbor – still, I fear he will persevere in his evil course.”

“
Evil course, sir? Freeing the slaves is evil?”

“
Evil, indeed.” Lee nodded. “Is it not strange that the descendants of those Pilgrim Fathers who crossed the Atlantic to preserve their own freedom have always proved the most intolerant of the spiritual liberty of others?”

Paul looked away. “I don’t think that we will ever see eye to eye on this, sir.”

“
Then we will speak of it no more,” Lee said. “Your request for transfer is denied. You may, of course, resign your commission if you wish, but I sincerely hope and pray that your better angels will prevail and show you your duty.”

Paul said nothing.

“
I will be leaving for San Antonio, Texas, next month to assume command of the Second Regiment of Cavalry,” Lee said after a few moments. “I had hoped that you, your brother and Lieutenant Stuart would accompany me.”

“
Texas?” Paul’s eyebrows went up for a moment, then the troubled expression returned. “I fear that I have lost the friendship of Lieutenant Stuart, sir.”

“
Nonsense. He loves you like a brother. He’s waiting for you at his quarters. And, if I am not mistaken, your brother in blood is with him there.”

April 30, 1860

Charleston, South Carolina

T
he 1860 Democratic National Convention was convened at South Carolina Institute Hall on the 23
^rd
of April. Coming into the convention, the front-runner appeared to be Illinois Senator Stephen A. Douglas. However, opposition from Southern delegates, who were demanding the adoption of a pro-slavery platform including full endorsement of Dred Scott, had quickly split the delegates. In his reelection bid to the Senate, Douglas had beaten Abraham Lincoln by a very slim margin, largely because of his last minute repudiation of Dred Scott. At this juncture, he was on record as being opposed to Dred Scott and thus was unable to agree to Southern demands.

Today, when the platform question was called and the Northern platform was adopted, the Southern delegates left the convention hall in protest to gather at St. Andrews Hall on Broad Street and Federal troops were summoned from Fort Moultrie to assure order. Among the troops was a rifle company commanded by Captain Quincy Van Buskirk.

“
Quincy!” Anna shouted and waved her hand. “Quincy Van Buskirk.” She jumped up to see over the heads of people in front of her and waved both hands over her head. “Quincy. Halloo.”

Quincy, who was standing in front of his company, signaled his executive officer and waited as the man trotted toward him. “I’ve seen someone in the crowd that I must speak to. You’re in command. If there’s any trouble, I’ll be back within a minute. Under no circumstances are you to distribute ammunition without my direct orders. Is that clear?”

“
Yes, sir.” The lieutenant saluted.

Quincy returned the salute, then trotted into the crowd. “Mother? What in the world are you doing here?”

“
Spying on the opposition.” She gave him a fierce hug and kissed him on the cheek leaving a blot of lip rouge. “I tried to visit you at the fort, but they told me that civilians aren’t permitted.”

“
There’s a lot of tension here between the citizens and the army. Frankly, I think calling us here is more inflammatory than calming.” He took her arm and pushed through the crowd to get closer to his company. “Do you have any idea what’s happening?”

“
You mean here? At the convention?”

“
Yes.”

“
Well, you know, of course, that the Southern delegation walked out?”

“
Yes.”

She looked at her notes. “Let’s see. There are six major candidates. Do you want their names?”

“
I just need to understand the dynamics so I can anticipate violence,” Quincy replied. “The details don’t matter.”

“
Well, Stephen Douglas won the first ballot, with a hundred forty-five of the two hundred fifty three votes cast. But the convention rule requires a two-thirds vote to nominate and Caleb Cushing, the convention president, says that two-thirds means two-thirds of all delegates, not two-thirds of those actually present and voting.”

“
So how many more votes does Douglas need?”

“
Fifty-six. But he’s never going to get them.”

“
So what happens?”

“
They’ll continue to vote until everybody gets tired, then they’ll adjourn the convention.”

“
Without a nominee?”

“
Yes. Obviously they’ll have to convene a new convention.”

“
Will the results be any different?”

“
I don’t see how.”

“
So how will it shake out?”

“
Ultimately I’d guess that we’ll have a Northern and a Southern Democratic nominee.”

“
Is that good or bad?”

She shrugged. “It’s bad for the country, but I think it almost guarantees that our Republican candidate will be elected, so it’s good for me.”

“
Who’s the Republican candidate going to be?”

“
Seward’s the front-runner but my money’s on Lincoln. We’ll know for sure on about the 15
^th
of May.”

“
I’d better get back to my company.” Quincy kissed her on the cheek. “My love to everyone.”

Anna raised her hand and watched him take position in front of the formation, then she turned back toward the convention hall.

May 1, 1860

Fort Mason, Texas

O
n July 6, 1851, Fort Mason, on Comanche Creek southwest of Mason Mountain on the Edwards Plateau, had been established by the United States War Department to defend against Kiowa, Lipan Apache and Comanche. In the ensuing years, the town of Mason, Texas, had grown up around the fort. Thomas and Jane Van Buskirk were waiting impatiently, arm in arm, just outside the stockade gate for Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee to dismiss his troops. “They look so much older,” Jane said.

“
It’s the whiskers,” Thomas replied. “Captain Stuart has a weak chin and he grew the beard to hide it. Pea, Johnny and Fitzhugh Lee grew their beards to be like Stuart. They all think very highly of him, but I can’t think why. He strikes me as a popinjay with his feathers and fancy uniforms.”

“
You be nice to him, Thomas.” Jane squeezed his arm. “You’re just jealous of the fact that he’s been promoted to captain before Pea.”

“
I wonder if I should go speak to Colonel Lee after the formation,” Thomas said to avoid answering her. “I knew him slightly during the Mexican War.”

“
He must have seen you. If he wants to talk, he’ll come out. Otherwise I’d rather have as much time as possible with the boys.”

“
I know the commander, Colonel Albert Johnston, better than Lee,” Thomas said, ignoring her. “I also know Major William Hardee and Lieutenant John Hood from the Army of Texas.”

Jane looked up at him. “Are you getting nostalgic for your Army days?”

He shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m cut out to be a businessman. Being a soldier is so much easier. You always know right from wrong.”

Inside the stockade gates, Robert E. Lee dismissed his troops. The enlisted men ran for the armory to turn in their weapons before heading to the mess hall, while the officers moved together toward the BOQ.