Lexington: Anatomy of a Novel Ch.34-35

 

Chapter 34

Geneva, Switzerland

I WASN’T SURE how to bring Dr. Benjamin Church’s spying into the novel. A private in the Army would have little or no reason to meet Church. It confirmed my decision to have General Gage make James his orderly. With his closeness to Gage, James would see all the major players and events from James point of view.

I know I will make some historical mistakes because I didn’t dig deep enough, or I wasn’t aware that I should dig more deeply.

Originally, I had thought of having James billeted with a family whose father was a Sons of Liberty member. James then could spy. I gave up on the idea of a love interest where James would have been billeted. Although there were legal provisions for this practice, it was almost never implemented. I had the choice of a historical inaccuracy that had many conflict advantages or go for accuracy.

I didn’t want to make Church a major character but his providing information to Gage was important, thus I have James sitting in on Church-Gage meetings. With three plots going, the novel doesn’t need a fourth..

Church fascinated me. He was born in 1734 into a prominent family. That he was a student at Boston Latin, the same school my daughter attended two centuries later, made me smile. During that period almost every leading well-educated patriot went to Boston Latin before going on to Harvard.

Not only was Church a Sons of Liberty, he worked with the Committee of Supply that bought guns, food and other equipment for the patriots. He reported this to General Gage, which allowed me to add it to the story.

One of his letters to the General was intercepted. He was punished and put on a ship that disappeared in the Caribbean Sea in 1778. I probably won’t use that because it comes after the novel ends.

As General Gage gets more and more desperate to find the cannons that were stolen from under his nose and the pressure from London increases, Church’s spying serves a vital role in the novel as it did in 1774-1775. If Gage hadn’t worked so hard to find those damned cannons, the battle at Lexington might never have happened. Would there still have been a Revolution? Would I have grown up singing “God Save the Queen” instead of saying the “Pledge of Allegiance?”

Chapter 35

Boston, Massachusetts

December 1774

 

 DR. BENJAMIN CHURCH carried himself like someone who knew his own importance, whether real or imagined. He did not wear a wig but pulled his wavy hair into a low ponytail and tied it with a velvet ribbon.

His clothing was immaculate. His shirt was either new or had been bleached with urine for a virgin whiteness. Every wrinkle had been removed.

Recognized as an excellent doctor, he had some reasons to think well of himself, which gave him good standing with the locals, but less so with the pro-English government.

General Gage briefed James on the man before they joined him in the reception room. “He comes from, if not the highest echelon of local society, he is well placed. His family had arrived with the Mayflower, his grandfather had been with the force that killed the Wampanoag Chief, King Philip.

“His father was a successful merchant and a deacon of the Hollis Street Church.”

“It isn’t just his pedigree.” Gage stopped his briefing to adjust his own topcoat. He was wearing civilian clothes. James could never figure out why Gage decided sometimes to not appear as a military man.

Gage continued, “His academic credentials are impressive: Boston Latin School then Harvard University. He studied medicine in London and when he came back here, he became a respected surgeon. If my wife or children needed a surgeon, I’d trust him. As an informer, I’m far less sure.”

Gage finished the last sip of his tea and put the cup on the tray. He went to the door but before opening it added, “I’m not sure if I trust him as an informant. His membership in the Massachusetts Provincial Counsel gives him standing as a patriot, but he might be feeding us false information. Let’s go meet the man. I’m curious what you think.”

The reception room had a couch and stuffed chairs upholstered in a baby blue silk fabric arranged around a coffee table. Smaller chairs were upholstered in a variety of blue fabrics. An oak bookcase went from floor to ceiling and a ladder was attached to help readers reach the top three shelves. The books were mainly law, military and religious texts bound in fine leather.

When the General entered the reception room followed by James Holloway, the doctor showed no deference other than to stand, considered polite regardless of status.

Pleasantries were exchanged. The maid served tea.

“I suggest it be the two of us, no disrespect to you, Private Holloway,” Church said.

Holloway was astounded at this challenge to the General.

“Holloway is here to take notes and write reports of my meetings.”

“Do you want to discuss your medical history in front of a low-ranking soldier?”

The General frowned. “James, would you wait outside, please.”

James wasn’t sure what to do next. Should he eavesdrop? Take notes? Walk away? Medical? The General showed no sign of illness. The doctor had asked for the meeting. A doctor doesn’t instigate an appointment for his patients.

The solution?

Eavesdrop.

The reception room had two doors. One went to the hallway, which was how Dr. Church had entered and would leave by. The other was attached to the dining room. As he entered the dining room, Mrs. Gage appeared.

“May I help you, James?”

“I don’t know how I can take notes of the meeting. I left my paper, ink and pen in there.” He pointed to the door between the dining and reception rooms.

Mrs. Gage indicated that he should move a chair next to the door. She disappeared, and in a moment returned with paper, a pen and a full ink well which she put on the chair. “Sit on the floor,” she said. “Use the chair as your table.”

Even with his ear against the wood, it was difficult to hear what the men were saying.

He picked up words like Safety Committee, powder, Cambridge and storage. Villages outside of Boston were mentioned. He also heard the word cataract that would have seemed more out of place had James not read that the doctor had found a way to remove cataracts. None of the Gages had cataracts as far as he knew, although he had never thought about it.

The voices moved further away. The door to the reception area open and closed.

James wasn’t sure if he should rejoin the General, who probably didn’t know where he had gone when he had left the meeting. His fears were for nothing because the General came into the dining room.

“Were you able to hear much?”

“Not really.” James showed the General his notes.

“Let’s not worry about documentation. Let’s just say Dr. Church is a valuable ally, but we can’t let on that this is the case.” He turned to leave. “Good thinking to come in here to eavesdrop, Holloway.”