"No argument is needed to convince me of that, sir. Grant's men have gripped us with a ferocity never known before."
"And our boys," Alexander added, "in all the struggle have never been such stark fighters as to-day."
"I agree with you," Lee nodded. "But Grant is getting ready to fight again to-morrow morning—not next month. His policy is new, and it's clear. He plans to pound us to death in a series of quick, successive blows. His man power is exhaustless. We can't afford to lose many men. He can. An endless blue line is streaming to the front."
"And that's why I'm here to-night, General," Rives said gravely.
"Grant is now in supreme command of all the Armies of the Union. While he moves on Richmond, Butler is sweeping up the James and Sherman is pressing on Atlanta. We have lost ten thousand men in two-days' battle. In the next we'll lose ten thousand more. In the next ten thousand more—"
"We must fight, sir. I have invaded the North twice. But I stand on the defense now. I have no choice."
"That remains to be seen, General Lee," Rives said with a piercing look.
"What do you mean?"
"A few days ago, your old friend, Francis Preston Blair, entered our lines and came to Richmond on a mission of peace. He has now before Mr. Davis and his Cabinet a plan to end the war. He proposes that we stop fighting, unite and invade Mexico to defend the Monroe Doctrine. Maximilian of Austria has just been proclaimed Emperor in a conspiracy backed by Napoleon. The suggestion is that we join armies under your command, dethrone Maximilian, push the soldiers of Napoleon into the sea, and restore the rule of the people on the American Continent."
Lee looked at him steadily.