"If he will only accept. The question is how to approach him?"
"It must be done with the utmost care," Alexander warned.
"Exactly." Rives nodded. "Shall I announce to him it once the vote of
Congress conferring on him the supreme power?"
"Not if you can approach him more carefully," Alexander cautioned.
"I can first propose that as Commanding General he might accept the peace proposals which Francis Preston Blair has brought from Washington—"
"What kind of peace proposals?" Gorden asked sharply.
"He proposes to end the war immediately by an armistice, and arrange for the joint invasion of Mexico by the combined armies of the North and South under the command of General Lee."
Alexander snapped at the suggestion.
"By all means suggest the armistice first. General Lee won his spurs in Mexico. The plan might fire his imagination—as it would have fired the soul of Caesar or Napoleon. If he refuses to go over the head of Davis, you can then announce the vote of Congress giving him supreme power."
The general suddenly paused at the familiar sound of Traveler's hoofbeat.