A Man of the People Part 40

LINCOLN

[_Eagerly._]

I want another man in Richmond, quick--whose ident.i.ty will be unknown--a man who can win the confidence of Judah P. Benjamin, Davis'

Secretary of State, who is preventing my interview with the Confederate President. Benjamin is the ablest and by far the most dangerous man in the South to-day. I know from this doc.u.ment on my desk----

[_Touches_ BAKER'S _Report._]

that he is in close touch with the Copperhead Societies of the North--if his keen mind is not actually directing them. You have their signs and pa.s.swords. It seems too good to be true! If you carry to Benjamin a special report of this planned uprising, you can gain his confidence, and persuade him to let my men see Davis. If you can only get through the lines and reach him before being arrested----!

VAUGHAN

I've a brother in General Lee's army--sir--for whom I've often been mistaken before the war----

LINCOLN

That's great----!

VAUGHAN

He is an officer too--a First Lieutenant.

LINCOLN

Fine! Before you go, confer with Baker. He will give you the names of our agents in Richmond and decide on your disguise. He will probably put you in Confederate uniform and make out in your brother's name a rebel leave of absence to use in an emergency. You are a Southern man.

Your accent is perfect. Your chances of success great. I want you to leave within an hour----

[_He writes on two cards._]

VAUGHAN

In five minutes, if you wish----

LINCOLN

If you can get for Jacquess and Gilmore a hearing and they are allowed to return and tell their story, all right--your work in Richmond is done. But if they are imprisoned or executed, report this fact and Mr.

Davis' answer, and it will be _doubly_ effective--you understand----?

VAUGHAN

Perfectly, sir----

LINCOLN

That's your first job. Your next will be to get a special message through from _inside the Confederacy_ to General Sherman, who is laying siege to Atlanta.

[_Takes up telegram._]

This message from him, received this morning, says that he has as yet been unable to locate and count up Hood's second line of defense which he must fight in a flank movement. Take the train from Richmond to Atlanta. Keep your eyes open every foot of the way. Find out from inside, the position of this second line, and the number of regiments holding it. Make no mistake about it. Break through to Sherman, and report to him----

VAUGHAN

A tough job, sir--but I believe I can do it----

LINCOLN

That's the way to talk, my boy----! When you reach General Sherman, you will deliver to him a verbal message--I'll give you a sign that will identify you. This is the big thing I'm sending you to do. I could telegraph my order direct to Sherman, but it would have to be filed in the War Office, and might offend General Grant. As an officer, you understand that----

VAUGHAN

Clearly, sir----

LINCOLN

For this reason I'm sending you on this urgent and dangerous business.

Tell General Sherman for me, that if he can take Atlanta at once, the blow will lift our people from despair, carry the election, and save the Union! I send by you the order for him to strike. If he wins, the order will remain a secret--the credit shall all be his! If he strikes and loses, I'll publish my order and take the blame on myself.--You _think_ you can _do this_----?

VAUGHAN

[_Quietly._]

I'll do it--or I'll die trying, sir----

LINCOLN

[_Writing on the back of his card._]

All right, take this card to Stanton's Office and tell him what I've told you. Ask him to arrange to send you by boat to Aquia, Virginia, by horse from there. This card to Baker's Office--Return here for your papers, and say good-by to your sweetheart----

VAUGHAN

At once, sir----

LINCOLN

My boy--I trust you implicitly! My mother's G.o.d has been talking to me since you entered this room! You've lifted my spirit to the heights!

[VAUGHAN _exits._]

CURTAIN

ACT III

SCENE I