Lee spoke with irritation.
"How can you ask me to go over the head of my Chief with such an order?"
Alexander pressed forward.
"But you might consider a proclamation looking to peace under this plan—if you were in a position of supreme power?"
"I have no such power. I advised our people to make peace before I invaded Pennsylvania. I have urged it more than once, but they cannot see it. And I must do the work given me from day to day."
"We now propose to give to you the sole decision as to what that work shall be."
"How, sir?"
"I am here to-night, General, as the agent of our Government, to confer on you this power. The Congress has unanimously chosen you as Dictator of the Confederacy with supreme power over both the civil and military branches of the Government."
"And well done!" cried Gordon.
"We back them!" echoed Alexander.