“They will come, sir!”
From time to time Douglass scribbled a note of instruction for the President’s aides. Neither noticed the time. They were only concerned in mapping out a clear course of action. At last the President leaned back and the visitor gathered up his papers.
“From here,” Lincoln said, “we’ll move as we must. You will have to—”
His secretary came out on the porch. “Sir!” Lincoln nodded his head. “A courier has just arrived. He brings a communication from General Stephenson.”
Lincoln jerked himself erect.
“Show him out here!”
There was despair in the way the President pressed his hand against his forehead.
“It is bad news,” he explained. “Otherwise they would have wired.”
“I’ll go, sir!” Douglass rose to his feet. Lincoln’s tall form lifted itself. He looked out across the lawn without seeing it.
“Navy guns have been bombarding Fort Wagner for several days. We were planning an attack. Surely—” He stopped as the two men came out on the porch.