“Of course,” she replied, conscious of the time but wanting to give what short time she had left to thank the men.
She followed Haig to the back of the mess. Other soldiers had begun to enter the mess and the Howitzer unit moved to the back to open tables for the newly arriving men.
She arrived at a small table and Haig extended his hand towards the soldier who wanted to speak with her. She had not noticed the man when he first came through the chow line. For his part, he was exhausted and although he noticed her upon entering he saw only a woman. There was something familiar about her but that thought was fleeting – he was just happy to have a warm meal.
That changed when she addressed the group.
He nearly fell out of his chair. Some of the men noticed and laughed at him, accusing him of being smitten.
He wasn’t sure exactly what was happening but somehow unexplained the President of the United States was standing in front of him. Not the President from 1917 America but the President from his time.
Vincent Shakespeare and Libby Williams looked at each other. She was just as surprised as he was. Sitting there before her was the man who was in a coma in the hospital in Belgium with her.
Whatever plans she had made to return to the United States had now changed.
The Secret Service agents closely watched the conversation between Libby and Vincent. They were beside themselves as they knew her visit was already outside of the net of safety for the incoming weather. They wanted to move the conversation along but knew that she would not allow the conversation to end until she was ready.
Libby and Vincent had spoken for about thirty minutes when the rain drops first hit the top of the mess tent. Within five minutes, the downpour was tremendous. The agents knew they had missed their window. It would be thirty minutes to the airfield through the thick mud and they knew with the rain deepening that mud there would be no possibility of a flight departing. The President would be here for some time.
When the British government learned of the delay they were just as nervous. They were not thrilled at the idea of the death of an American President under one of their combat missions. President Williams was kept well beyond the line of fire but that did little to put King George or Sir Haig at ease.
The battle lasted only a few more days when the fighting completely subsided. And when the combat finally ended, everyone sighed in relief. Libby included. The battlefront was not her ideal choice of locations.
The day after the victory was secured, Libby sought out Sir Haig. “I would like to ask your leave of one of your soldiers.”
The comment took Haig off guard. “Whom do you mean, madam? You see, the battle is over but there will be more. We are moving out soon enough. I can’t spare one of my officers for even the shortest time.”
Libby smiled. “Don’t worry yourself. I’d like for one of the men of your trenches to be offered an opportunity to serve as an advisor to my Generals. We would ask him to explain trench life here so that our American soldiers will be better prepared.”
“I see. And did you have a particular soldier in mind?”
“Shakespeare,” she replied, “from your Howitzer unit.”
“Indeed. Wasn’t it he that requested your audience? He must have made quite an impression.”
“He did indeed. Now, if you will give him leave he will travel back with me to Washington. There, he will spend some months with my top military advisors, assisting in developing the methods in which my soldiers will be trained going forward. This soldier will be imperative in the operation of American military strategy as far as daily life during the war for our soldiers. What better man to give such advice as one who has lived that life?”
Haig considered the request a moment longer. “I can see wisdom in this request. I’ll have my man draw up the papers and Private Shakespeare will be placed under your guidance. Will there be anything else?”
Libby said there was not. “Well, then,” Haig continued. “I would say that I am sorry to see your departure but we both know that would be untruthful. I am thankful for your presence but at the same time your people need you back in your country. I will say the Americans have the Best of the British before them.”
Libby smiled, shook Haig’s hand and then was led by the Secret Service back to her airplane. She was joined by Vincent.
There had been little time for them to talk during the battle – he was coming off the front lines but that did not mean he was exempt from duty. Now that he was on board, the plane left the runway and headed west. She was thankful that she would have several hours to speak with him once they arrived on the first battleship.
Her travel arrangements were less than ideal but it was the most advanced for that time. Her travel from Belgium to Washington consisted of several plane transits moving from battleship to battleship throughout the Atlantic. Each plane contained one pilot and one passenger. The Secret Service agents traveled in planes adjacent to the President’s and Vincent’s followed behind.
Once they were on board the first of several battleships, Libby offered Vincent something to eat and drink and he accepted both. A table was brought in and set between them. It was still military food but at least it was actually cooked in an oven and the water wasn’t grey with mud and ashes. Vincent marveled.
