The Heavens Shall Fall (27 page)

“
Never!” Jonathan cried. The thought was inconceivable. “I do not know another officer I admire and respect more. Who is trying to dishonor his name?”

“
It comes from a most trusted source,” Tallmadge said. “It is not the intelligence I question, but the information. Something is in the wind. The British have become quite arrogant and confident. I wondered whether it is a diversion for us, sending us in the wrong direction while they plot in another.”

“
Exactly what would you like for me to do?”

“
Go to West Point. Offer your services as a physician. I have no doubt General Arnold will welcome you. Then look around and see if you feel that there is anything suspicious. You are a military man despite your physician training.”

“
You want me to inspect West Point?”

“
Dr. Corbett, I assure you I don’t want the information to be true. I, too, respect the accomplishments of General Arnold. But the intelligence points to a betrayal, along with a vital link to our defenses given over to the British. It is what makes me guarded about General Arnold. West Point is vital to our Highland defense.”

Jonathan began to understand why Tallmadge looked grim. It was a precarious situation. He hesitated only a moment.
“If I do you this favor, I have one of my own.”

With its striking foliage, early autumn was a beautiful time of the year to travel up through the Hudson Highlands. The rolling hills gave breathtaking views from either side of the river.

Jonathan had agreed to this undertaking with much reluctance. He thought it quite absurd that Tallmadge could even suspect General Arnold of such underhanded dealings. The general was most revered among the enlisted men and with reason.

Jonathan hadn
’t lied. Never had he seen such bravery as he had that day at Saratoga. Yet, he also understood that Tallmadge had no choice but to investigate an accusation regarding anyone in Arnold’s position. Times were bleak for the Continental officers and enlisted men, for that matter.

It was common practice for the British to try to entice American officers away from their cause. The grievances among the troops were many.

It had been over three years since he himself had been paid. Many a man within the colonies had lost fortunes during the war. Although General Arnold entered the war as one of the wealthiest men in Connecticut, it would not be surprising to discover General Arnold would be among those who had lost most of his possessions.

During his time with Arnold, Jonathan remembered
the general’s compassion toward his troops, expelling his own money many times to supply their needs. Jonathan had thought him most generous.

Though, Jonathan would have been
remiss if he did not acknowledge the rumors that surrounded General Arnold. More than once the commander had been questioned on his financial dealings. He had been censured by court-martial and reprimanded because of his transgressions.

But treason! Never!

Tallmadge’s request required an immediate departure. Jonathan left Tallmadge, content he had maneuvered the better of the arrangement. He agreed to inspect West Point in return for support in removing his stubborn wife from her current situation, by force if necessary. Jonathan knew well what he would face on his return to the South and it was not only the British that would pose a threat.

Tallmadge informed Jonathan that General Washington was due to visit West Point in the next few days. He wanted his report before Washington
’s visit. A feasible request and one that Jonathan planned on accomplishing quickly.

Riding along the road on the east banks of the Hudson, Private Cornelius Smythe once more escorted Jonathan. He fared from New Castle and knew the land well. Smythe pointed out redoubts along the way.

Overlooking the Hudson River, Jonathan assessed its strategic location. Consisting of two forts, Fort Arnold and Fort Putnam, it sat at a key point on the west point of the river. Washington had assigned Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko to design the fortress.

“
We have also laid the great chain between West Point and Constitution Island. It is heavy enough no ship will be able to cross without damaging their hull and sinking. Not going to let them Brits sail up the river again like they did in ’77.”

Jonathan realized Smythe talked of when the British had occupied Stony Point along with Constitution Island in
’77. It had been reclaimed by “Mad Anthony” Wayne in ’79. That had been when Washington looked to reinforce the area and had hired Kosciuszko.

Kosciuszko situated
the fort at the bend of the Hudson, giving it a full view around the point. It would be a determent to their cause if the British got their hands on the stronghold. West Point commanded the river.

Near noon, the two neared their destination. Coming up to West Point from the east, they would have to take a barge across the Hudson.

“We will stop at headquarters first before we head over to the fortress,” Smythe said, as they neared their destination. “General Arnold established it at the old Robinson mansion. Might hold interest for you; it is used as a hospital at times.”

Jonathan made a mental note of that fact. He had to remember he came under the guise of looking for an assignment. Misleading people to his purpose was new to him. Most of his life, he had been
forthright with his intent.

“
Robinson’s house was confiscated when he abandoned it and declared himself to the Crown. Held off for a long time before he took a side, but he has now fled to New York,” Smythe offered when a large white-washed house came into view. “He now serves under the British flag.” He pointed toward the river beyond the house. “West Point is only two miles north. General Arnold has a barge that is accessible to him at all times.”

The pretentious home was a
grand estate, a wooden structure lined with bricks along the sides of the house. It had a three-tier arrangement, each a few feet inlaid from the other marked with its own chimney. A large cedar stood in front of a railed porch, which lined the front of the house. Open shuttered windows lent to a tranquil, peaceful setting. Quite an elegant residence.

Abruptly, Jonathan heard hoofbeats behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he eased. It had been awhile, but he would have recognized General Arnold anywhere. The general
had seemingly changed little since the last Jonathan had seen him, had still maintained his athletic physique. His presence had lost none of his allure, the championed war hero.

In his
buff and blue uniform, he had the same scarred face, weather-beaten with a hawk-like nose, bronzed complexion, although his hair had grayed. But there again, he was on horseback, where the commander was most comfortable.

The moment the general dismounted, Jonathan noticed the visible limp—the injury from Saratoga. Never a tall man, Arnold stood five
five. With his limp, he seemed shorter. Though from the warm smile upon his face, one could not tell he suffered a physical ailment with his leg.

“
Dr. Corbett, I’m glad we caught you before you head over to West Point. Colonel Tallmadge sent me word only this morning of your immediate visit. I had thought it next week,” General Arnold greeted Jonathan welcomingly. “Come in. Come in. Enjoy my hospitality for a while. I was about to have lunch. You are welcome to enjoy it with Lieutenant Colonel Witherspoon and myself. I believe you know each other.”

Jonathan went rigid in the saddle. His attention had been drawn to General Arnold. He had paid no mind to his companion.
Devil be all!
It was Gabriel!

* * * *

General Arnold hosted the lunch in a huge dining chamber. He seemed oblivious
of the awkwardness between the two former friends. Carrying on the conversation as if he held the interest of both men, he sat at the head of the table filled with large dishes of meat and pastry.

Arnold had gone out of his way to welcome Jonathan.
He would have been touched by the sentiment, if not for the man who sat across from him.

Jonathan exchanged looks with Gabriel. The war had not worn on his person. He looked lean and fit, well garbed with his blonde hair neatly tied at the nape of his neck. He had lost none of his good looks or the irritating manner of manipulating a situation to his advantage.

“By God, Jonathan, it is good to see you. On last report, I thought I would never lay eyes on you again.”

The divide between the former friends was too wide to cross. Time had done little to ease Jonathan
’s loathing. His mouth went dry, at a loss for words to say to Gabriel.

A servant girl filled his mug of ale
and broke the tension that built in him. He drank down a third of the mug in one gulp.

“
I have heard the same,” General Arnold said. “It was fortunate indeed that you were given a reprieve. Nasty situation.”

“
I have only heard bits about the reason for your arrest,” Gabriel began. “Why on earth would the British have thought you capable of causing an explosion?”

“
I believe the Brits had their reasons, which had little to do with guilt or innocence and more to do with a business venture that I was attached through by my wife’s family,” Jonathan stated. He had no wish to divulge more to any man, not before he extracted his wife from her current situation.

“
It was your wife, I understand, who made the exchange of the ships and business for your life.”

Caught off guard by Arnold
’s knowledge, Jonathan stiffened. “I was not aware my circumstances were known to many.”

Arnold laid his fork back on his plate and waved his hand in front of his face.
“My pardon, Dr. Corbett. I do apologize. When Colonel Tallmadge sent the request to allow you a visit to West Point, I took it upon myself to discover your circumstances.”

Gabriel quickly interceded,
“General Arnold knows of your bravery, Jonathan. He has told the story many times of how you saved his leg, but it is only understandable he would be cautious. There is so much unrest with the troops these days. We cannot afford to have the discontent escalate.”

Silence ensued. Once more, Jonathan was at a loss for words. Gabriel was blindly pressing him for more information for the general. Gabriel hadn
’t changed. He was not clever enough to recognize he was being played, but Jonathan’s senses detected there was more going on here than met the eye.

There was an underlying current in Arnold
’s intent. Why would Arnold distrust his reason for a visit?

“
I understand the sentiment only too well. We, too, dealt with it in the South,” Jonathan resumed the conversation, resolved to play upon Arnold’s interest. “I was reprimanded upon my pardon when I met with Colonel Tallmadge. I have been told never to pick up a weapon again. It goes against my instincts not to protect my fellow men! Then to be reprimanded! After all I have lost.”

“
You do not have to tell me of loss, Dr. Corbett,” Arnold said with an intensity that shocked Jonathan. “I have dealt with it all too often. I have spent my personal fortune on this war. Congress refuses to reimburse me. Moreover, I have been publicly humiliated in a fashion that one should never have to endure after all I have done for the cause.”

“
Disgraceful,” Gabriel added. “But in time, General Arnold, Congress will see the errors of their ways. Look at General Gates. It will not be long before he blunders his assignment in the South as well. It will vindicate your standing.”

“
I am stunned that you have been treated in this manner,” Jonathan added. “I saw you in battle. Where was Gates in Saratoga? If not for you leading the troops in the manner you did, we would not have been victorious!”

“
It is what I have said for years,” Arnold agreed, seemingly reliving the moment. “I have tried to tell anyone who will listen that our leadership is lacking at the moment. It will be our downfall.”

“
Downfall?” Jonathan questioned, amazed at the frustration within the commander. Never had he been around a general who encouraged treasonous talk among his subordinates.

“
I listen to my men. I hear their talk that the American cause is doomed. That we are crippled by want of funds. That we will soon have to give up this hopeless venture.”

“
But it is not a hopeless venture, General Arnold, for we will have to step forward beyond these obstacles,” Jonathan responded. He could not continue the direction the conversation had taken. Momentarily forgetting Tallmadge’s instructions, he defended the cause. “My father told me in the beginning that the path would be a difficult one. We have to hold to that faith.”

“
Ah, yes, faith.” General Arnold nodded, seemingly agreeing. “Faith that God will guide our path. It is where I hold my faith. That God will take me down the path of fulfilling my destiny.”

“
Oh, Benedict, are you boring your guests with the tiresome talk of this war?”

“
Not now, my darling. We have finished.” General Arnold rose and warmly greeted the most beautiful woman. “Come join us. Dr. Corbett, this is my lovely wife, Peggy.”

Dressed in a simple cream
-colored day dress, she carried herself with an air of elegance. Young. Quite young for the older general. Her thick blonde hair was swept back off her face, but curls fell in a pattern that softened her gray eyes.

At
a glance, she carried herself in a manner that reminded him of Catherine. It did nothing to warm him to the woman. The fact bothered him that her family had ties to Loyalists. When he lived in Philadelphia, Edward Shippen cried neutrality, but it had done nothing for his case of neutrality when the British occupied the city. Shippen had swung wide his doors for the enemy.

Jonathan
had heard the rumors swirling around about how Arnold’s marriage had changed his focus. Tallmadge informed Jonathan that Arnold had turned down a field command for the West Point position. Jonathan remembered well the pull Catherine had upon him. He imagined that Peggy Arnold did the same upon the general.

Jonathan pushed back his chair and stood.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Arnold. I have made acquaintance with your father in Philadelphia when I was in medical school.”

Gabriel smiled broadly.
“It is a small world. Jonathan, you may not remember my wife, Deborah, but she was friends with Catherine as well as Sally, Mrs. Arnold’s older sister. It seems we all have a connection.”