79. CHAPTER LXXIX.
GENERALS TOLER AND FELL.
General Fell had reached the head-quarters of the Shenandoah
with his motley followers, and seemed to threaten
Amherst Castle, for he has incessantly breathing vengeance
against President Randolph, whom he charged with betraying
the cause of the South. But General Toler had succeeded
in interposing his comparatively diminutive army
between Fell and Maller, for he did not doubt that the
ambitious leader, notwithstanding his charges against the
Southern President, meditated a junction with the enemy.
He granted the request of Fell, that they should hold a
personal conference midway between the armies, attended
by an equal number of officers, who were not to be within
hearing. A small hut in the centre of a large field was the
place selected for the meeting, and they proceeded thither
on the morning of the day of Major Fink's arrival at the
Castle.
“General Fell,” said Toler, as the former approached,
“before we clasp hands let us understand whether we are
friends or enemies.”
“Can I be mistaken?” exclaimed Fell. “General Toler,
one of the most enthusiastic champions of Southern Rights,
one whose pen and whose voice have been devoted to the
cause of his native land, to ask the question whether General
Fell is a friend or an enemy!”
“General Toler would hurl back the Northern invader
from his native land: can General Fell say as much?”
“He can say,” replied the other, quickly, “that he is
resolved to hurl destruction on all the enemies of the South.
But who is the worst enemy of the South? The one whom
she has nurtured and trusted, and to whom she gave power
and command, but who, nevertheless, permits her fair fields
to be ravaged when he had the means to prevent the invasion;
or the great leader of the North who proclaims, at
the head of an army numbering nearly three-quarters of a
million of men—an irresistible force—that slavery shall be
legal everywhere?”
“Alas!” said Toler, “it is as I suspected! Sir, why utter
such disingenuous words to me?”
“Disingenuous? Beware, sir!”
“Ay, disingenuous! for do you not assail Randolph
because he did not sooner arrest the progress of this Northern
Chieftain, who proclaims the universal legality of
slavery, and whose interminable columns you admit are
irresistible?”
“Irresistible without being opposed by the slaves.”
“The slaves! And you would have had Randolph lead
the slaves, and that too without the permission of their
owners, as you have done, in the presence of an enemy
which at first proclaimed their freedom!”
“At first. But now slavery is proclaimed everywhere.
And the Federal Government no longer exists.”
“Sir, I act under its authority,” said Toler.
“Is that your determination?”
“It is.”
“Then our conference is at an end. But you little dream
of the great triumphs and achievements that would—”
“Dreams! All dreams, General!”
“No, by heaven! A month hence—and—”
“Randolph will again inhabit the Executive Mansion,
and the rebellion will be at an end.”
“No, sir! An hour hence, and you will think differently.”
“Then be it so. I shall do my utmost to avert it. But
beware of the announcement among your rabble of slaves,
that Ruffleton, instead of setting them free, intends to close
all the doors of freedom against them, in the North as well
as in the South.”
“Who can announce it?”
“Do you not intend to make your negroes unite with the
enemy? And will they not learn it then?”
“That is my affair! But will you oppose my junction
with Maller?”
“Unquestionably. I obey the orders of the President.”
“The President! But are you not aware that I have
two white men to your one?”
“I am. But I am thrice armed in a just quarrel!”
“Very well!”
And soon after the two Generals were mounted, and galloping
away to the heads of their respective armies.
Fell led only his white soldiers against the strong position
of Toler, and was defeated. Toler's superior artillery,
furnished by the Federal garrisons, more than compensated
for his inferiority in numbers; and after a bloody day of
desperate conflict, the assailants fell back, and abandoned
the field to the brave heroes who stood up in defence of
the Constitution, which guaranteed liberty and equality
(for white men) in all sections. Nevertheless, apprehending
a demonstration in his rear by General Maller, for it had
become apparent that Fell was in communication with the
enemy against whom he had originally declared his purpose
to fight, General Toler deemed it advisable, after burying
the dead, to retire towards Amherst Castle.
