Loethen’s eyes grew as cold as his voice. “And Colonel Grosland, what about him? Do you know of his complaint about your behavior and what he recommends be done with you?”
“No, sir.”
“He says that three of his soldiers were injured by our sailors and that you, sir, were the instigator of it all and should be reduced in ranks to seaman and sent to Portsmouth Naval Prison for mutiny! What say you to that, young Lieutenant Wake?”
A flush of heat filled his face as Wake struggled to remain calm. These men could do just what Grosland had suggested. Confusion gave way to the raw fear of prison but then was replaced by emotion of another kind. Anger swept over Wake, the same cold anger he had when under enemy fire. His entire body tensed, and he knew that he should control the words that were coming as he confronted the admiral’s gray eyes.
“Admiral Loethen, I did as I saw my honor and duty would require of me. I apologize for nothing, sir, and if the army thinks I would not defend the honor of this squadron again then they are very sadly mistaken. Furthermore, sir, I was not present at any riot or disturbance that may have occurred after my fisticuffs with that naval officer, but I can say with certainty, Admiral, that if they had used bluejackets to calm the situation there would have been no more serious bloodshed and all hands would have returned to their ships and barracks without further incident. It is a well-known fact that the soldiers use no common sense in dealing with the sailors and, in fact, look for opportunities to injure and humiliate them.”
Loethen stared at Wake and said nothing, finally glancing over at Morris.
“Well, Morris, you’re right. This young man is a fire-eater. Glad he is on our side. A few more like him and Florida would’ve been ours a couple of years ago. Why don’t you advise Mr. Wake of the outcome of Colonel Grosland’s complaint.”
Morris’s smile reappeared as he sat down with his arm on the windowsill.
“Aye aye, sir. Lieutenant Wake, the colonel commanding the Fifty-second New Jersey Artillery Regiment, Colonel Grosland, did make the complaint against you to Admiral Bluefield. Admiral Bluefield concurred and was pleasantly anticipating your return to his control in order to have a court martial go through its proceedings and endorse his opinion and impose his sentence.”
Morris paused for effect in the quiet room. Wake was suddenly aware of the stifling heat in the room.
“However, unforeseen events in Washington intervened and he was recalled before he could implement his desires. In fact, Lieutenant Wake, his recall was so immediate that he had no time to even write orders to set formal disciplinary proceedings into motion. He left the same day Admiral Loethen here brought the orders of his relief. Do you comprehend thus far?”
Wake had no idea what had occurred “thus far,” but answered in the affirmative. Morris eyed him sharply and went on.
“Very good. To continue, when Admiral Loethen took command he had already received some background on the situation from sources in Washington. It seems that Colonel Grosland had written to the War Department and General Hunter in Carolina that he was going to rid Florida of a particular young pup of a naval lieutenant who had no idea of how to conduct himself as an officer and a gentleman. What do you think of that, Mr. Wake?”
Wake didn’t know how to answer that question so replied as neutrally as he could.
“I am concerned over that opinion, sir.”
Loethen laughed hard and pounded the table.
“Good Lord, Morris! Young Wake is ‘concerned.’ He has an army full colonel with connections in Washington trying to ram and sink him and he is ‘concerned.’ Do you have any others like him I’ve not met yet?”
Morris grinned again. “A few, Admiral, a few.”
“Well tell him the rest then, Morris.”
“Aye, sir. A long story very short, Mr. Wake. Admiral Loethen here reviewed the matter and found that you should be counseled against a public, repeat public, display of violence with a brother, not to mention superior, officer in the future. Consider yourself counseled. As for the rest, he believes that the complaint of Colonel Grosland against you is unfounded. No further action is necessary. There will be no other discipline.”
Morris stopped abruptly. Wake, thinking a reply was expected, was about to speak but noticed Loethen was getting up from his chair and putting on his uniform coat. The admiral’s tone was angry, his face in a grimace.
“Damn them all to hell and back! In all my years of duty in ships at sea and even in the snake pits of Washington, I have never seen such an accumulation of bilge scum as I did in those memoranda of Grosland and Bluefield. I’ve known poxy trollops with more sense of perspective than those two. And I will not take one of the few men who have exhibited leadership and innovation in this squadron and subject him to the small-minded petty revenge of some bureaucratic nitwits who’ve not the least idea of which end the shot comes out.”
Loethen stood there, an imposing figure in the gold braid of his uniform, with his hands held open in the fervor of his comments. Wake was very appreciative the admiral was not against him. He would be a dangerous and unrelenting enemy to have.
“Wake, continue to fight the war! That is what we are about, not some social fawning and promenading around to make old men feel important and secure. Fight the war, sir! Do what you do best. Now do you understand?”
Wake was stunned and could say nothing. Was it possible that this man, whom he did not know and who had never met
