It was almost pathetic how Wherley’s face showed a glimmer of hope upon hearing Wake’s suggestion.
“Colonel Wherley, this will salvage your reputation and solve the other problems. But, Colonel Wherley, this has to be done right now. Right here. If you don’t, I cannot stop your inevitable court-martial for cowardice. I can’t help the operation here to succeed. And I can’t get the loyal Floridians to come over to us. Only you can make this decision, but you must make it now.”
Wherley cast his eyes down at the ground, his lips pursed, his hands clasped. “Who besides you will know I’m not really sick, Wake?”
“No one. If you make the decision to leave this regiment in competent hands, then no one will know. My men will hear from me that you were disabled by sickness, which caused you to make a mistake in judgment.”
Wake stood up and half-turned toward the tent opening. “Well Colonel, I’m walking out of here now. What do I tell the men who fought their hearts out and want to know why you and your men did not come to help?”
Wherley could barely be heard as he tried to stand up also. His hands were shaking and tears filled his eyes. “Tell them I am sick, Wake. The fever has gotten me. I can’t take this climate and I’m going home. Tell them that.”
Wake could feel no sympathy for the man in front of him. His inaction, borne of pomposity and ego, had caused many deaths. He had offered a way out only to salvage the operation and the morale of all those involved. To have a court-martial and publicly expose such incompetence would only undermine the citizens’ and the soldiers’ confidence in their army. It was better this way. Colonel Wherley would never command and waste lives again.
“Very well, Colonel. I’ll pass the word for Major Martin to come here to you.”
For a brief moment, Wherley’s eyes narrowed and his voice grew cold as he stood by the table trying to regain his composure. “One more thing, Wake.”
“What’s that, Colonel?”
“I never want to see you again. Ever.”
“That would be my pleasure far more than yours, Colonel.”
Wake shook his head, turned, and left the tent. Outside, the guard looked at him oddly then glanced at the aide standing twenty feet away with some other officers in front of another tent. The aide-de-camp came striding over with Major Martin. Behind them was Lieutenant Hammersley. Martin walked up to Wake, held out his hand, and smiled.
“Hammersley here tells me that you’re not retreating back to our camp. Says you’re crazy to stay up there at that crossroads. A lunatic is actually what he called you. Congratulations Mr. Wake, if a fool like Hammersley thinks you’re a lunatic then you’re pretty much my kind of man!”
Hammersley grimaced on hearing his major’s remark but continued to glare at Wake. The aide-de-camp disappeared behind the tent. Wake regarded Major Martin, finally deciding that he was not being falsely amicable, and shook his hand.
“Why thank you, Major. A rather unorthodox compliment, but I’ll take it.”
Hammersley interrupted the two, almost getting between Wake and the major.
“Lieutenant Wake has maligned our regiment and our colonel, Major Martin. We cannot stand for that. He did it in front of others. He’s done it before against the colonel of the Fifty-second New Jersey Artillery.”
Wake’s smile disappeared. He ignored the army lieutenant’s whining remark and asked Martin the important question on his mind. “Major, we needed help and asked for it. Why was it not sent?”
Martin also became serious, setting his jaw and sighing.
“Mr. Wake, the colonel was convinced that you would fall back to our camp when the Rebs pressed you. He wanted to have all of our men and equipment ashore before moving forward. We still don’t have it all ashore and probably won’t go forward for days. He ordered us to stay put and receive your men through our lines.”
Hammersley opened his mouth but didn’t get a word out before Martin cut him short to continue. “Lieutenant Hammersley, I have heard your complaint about Lieutenant Wake several times. It was boring before and now it is annoying. I am sure you must have some urgent duties. Please accomplish them and leave us alone.”
Hammersley walked away without a word. Wake saw that he was heading for Wherley’s tent. It was time to get Martin aboard and on course.
“Major Martin, did you know that your colonel has been very ill with some sort of fever? I just saw him and he said he was quite sick and sent word for you. He wants you to take over the regiment while he evacuates to Key West to convalesce.”
Martin’s face showed his surprise. “I was just with him an hour ago. He was in very good spirits. Didn’t look sick in any way.”
“All I can say is that he looked extremely sick when I just saw him, sir. Evidently he had been sick for some time. Wanted you to take over immediately. Once you do, I would be honored to give you a tour of our lines and to turn them over to your regiment. Can we make a time for that, say half past eleven o’clock?”
“Well, all this is quite sudden, Wake. I’ll have to see about all of that, once I get with the colonel.”
Martin, clearly confused, went into Wherley’s tent, Wake following behind. Hammersley was emerging and looking dazed as Martin entered. As the colonel and major spoke, Wake stood in front of the opening, visible to those inside. Wake could hear no details, but Martin’s manner told of his continuing confusion when he came outside a few minutes later.
“Lieutenant Wake, you were correct. The man is ill with a bad fever. Damned strange. Never saw it hit that fast. Says he wished he had sent the regiment up earlier but the fever had dimmed his mind a bit. Wants me
