Army Headquarters, Lee's Quarters

[Pontifex Maximus]

Central command for the Army of Northern Virginia, the Quarters of General Lee.

[Jokern]

The bright sun and the summer wind warmed the camp as Beauregard walked around on his daily inspection. The well-being of his men was of great importance to him and he believed that treating the soldiers as fellow comrades from time to time would strengthen their trust in both him and each other.

After meeting a couple of soldiers from Louisiana he went to General Lee's quarters. Beauregard had been thinking all night about the battle which would soon erupt and he hoped no one had noticed his tired eyes. He quickly brushed off the dirt from his tunic and went up to the guard.

"General Beauregard would like to have a word with General Lee."

[The Stig]

An air of anticipation hung over the camp. The Army of Northern Virginia had been in place for several months now, and the rank and file, eager for glory and adventure, were becoming restless. Longstreet's brigade commanders always told him the same thing. "The men are drilling hard, sir. Morale is high, but they keep asking when the fighting will start. What should we tell them?" Until now, he had been able only to inform them to hold on, keep training, and wait. Soon enough it would be time for battle. Longstreet approached the guard outside Lee's quarters with the intent of acquiring a more satisfactory answer. Soon perhaps, the army would be on the march.

"General Longstreet here to see General Lee."

[Pontifex Maximus]

General Lee stood over some maps in his open air tent as his comrades were shown in. After returning from Richmond, he felt conflicted over the progression of this war. Politicians struggled to piece together the New Republic, and he would be their shield while they created a southern nation that lived up to the true ideals of the tenets of the American way of life - life, liberty, property.

"Welcome, gentlemen. I'm sure you're aware that battle is inevitable. The federals think they can cut through our lines and reach Richmond to end our war of independence. I think otherwise."

[Jokern]

"I reckon we should let them try and then with a swift counterattack push for Washington, ending the war before it have even begun."

Beauregard was a realistic man and he understood, unlike some of his men, that the war would probably be dragged out much longer than that. And the longer war became, the harder it would be to defeat the North and its superiority in both industry and manpower. He looked at Lee's maps. Washington was not far from where the battle would take place. So close, yet still so far away, he thought to himself.

"Hopefully." he added. "Both sides are determined to win and although I trust in the strength of our soldiers, I do wonder if the war will end that fast."

"When it comes to the upcoming battle, I propose that we take the defensive stance and let the feds come to us. Attacking could lead to unnecessary casualities, something that would cause us more harm than it would to them."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lee considered the plan thoughtfully and responded in a soft tone

"The yankees are calling up thousands of volunteers and conscripts. If we could march for Washington and enforce our terms it would be a great boon for our cause. But tens of thousands of Union troops stand between us and that goal. It will be difficult to take the defensive and follow through to make a move on the capitol. We will need to win a decisive victory in the upcoming battle. We can do this by picking the field of battle and fighting on our own terms."

[Jokern]

"So you're suggesting we lure them to a location of our choice and attack?"

[The Stig]

Longstreet nodded as he listened to the others talk.

"I would caution against any offensive action. We are strongest defending our own soil. We cannot destroy their industry, but we can break their spirit. If we are able to crush the Union here, then perhaps we can look into besieging Washington or Baltimore.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lee gave a short smile through his thick, white beard

"Gentlemen the hills of Virginia are my home. We fight the yankees on our hoe soil, and on a field of our choosing. I have a location in mind that should be to our advantage. The boys are itchin' for a fight and I intend to give it to them. I fear that they do not yet realize the horrors of war. With God's grace we will make short work of the federals in the field and end this war before it tears the south apart. If Meade and his legions give us battle on our own ground, woe to them. They might find that southern resolve is stronger than they imagined. Muster your regiments and prepare them to advance to the town of Manassas. We will reach the town and establish defensive positions on the field."

[Jokern]

Beauregard looked at the maps on the table, searching for the town Lee had just mentioned. He smiled as he saw what he had been hoping: a good defensive position.

"Hmm... yes, it looks like a fine place for a battle. The river provides a good line of defense while the hills and the woods and the towns are good places to regroup at if we're pushed back. If we put our infantry at the bridges here, here and here we'd get a big advantage over the Yankees. It's as you say, the one who gets there first will get the upper hand. When do we move out?"

[The Stig]

Longstreet first noticed something else about the town, not it's defensibility, but it's location, at the apex of several railroads.

"I hope it's soon. We need to get there first, and I don't want to have to deal with a Federal army in control of every railroad in Northern Virginia. Still, like you said, Beauregard, the town is naturally suited to defense. Let's show Uncle Sam some of Johhny Reb's steel. My soldiers are ready to lick some boys in blue, sir. When do we move?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"We will move out immediately, gentlemen. If we're lucky we'll reach the field first and be able to pick our positions. I recommend sending some cavalry on ahead, clear the path and make sure that nothing's waiting for us on the other end."

[Jokern]

Beauregard nodded.

"I shall send the first and second cavalry battalions of the I Corps to rendezvous. Gentlemen, I beg you good day. My men will be glad for these news."

He made a salute and left the tent.

[Jokern]

Manassas Junction

Beauregard rushed through the camp. While going through the report from his scouts at Bull Run he had received an urgent message: General Lee had been struck by an illness. Lee was the shining sun that held the army together. If word got out, chaos would spread through the ranks and could lead to their defeat.

I must talk to him, Beauregard thought to himself. He must lead us, or choose a new commander.

He arrived at Lee's tent. The guards outside looked worrisome, but let him through.

"General? It's me, Beauregard. I came as soon as I received the news."