Judah Benjamin, the rebellion's Mephistopheles, Attorney General, Secretary of War and State and spymaster of the C.S.A., created a Mona Lisa in the black art of espionage. Lincoln's reluctant general, George McClellan, A.P. Hill, one of Lee's favorite generals and Nelly Marcy McClellan, George's wife and Hill's clandestine lover were transformed from a love triangle into a spy network. Hill and Nelly softened George for Benjamin's pitch that hooked the "little Napoleon," code named, "Le Clarion D'argent," French for the silver bugle. Both Benjamin and McClellan were fluent in French; all communications between them were in their favorite language. Resultant of counterespionage by the Union's spy mistress in Richmond, Elizabeth Van Lew, he was unmasked and neutralized but never made aware of his discovery. He resigned his commission, became governor of New Jersey and died failing to fulfill his burning desire to become president of the United States of America.
About the Author: Nort Hall, as he is known to his family, friends and colleagues; his embossed calling card reads "R. Norton Hall, M.D." He was born, raised and formally educated in Philadelphia, PA, except for 2 years in the military and 4 years for an A.B. at Syracuse University. He's a retired neurologic surgeon whose M.D., internship and general surgical residency were obtained at Temple University and affiliates; his neurologic surgical training at the University of Pennsylvania. Drafted a General Medical Officer for Vietnam, he served at Headquarters United Nations Command, Far East and the U.S. Eighth Army in Korea and the Military District of Washington as Chief of Out Patient Services, Dewitt Army Hospital in Fort Belvoir. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. In civilian life he practiced medicine in western PA and the Eastern Shore of MD. His history buff father read to his sons, took them on walking tours of historic Philadelphia and toured the Gettysburg battlefield. Infected early with interest in the American Civil War, it never waned. Even though McClellan was a Philadelphian there was something about him that didn't sit right with the author. The military days exposed him to the intelligence community, the "spooks," and their world of shadows and wilderness of mirrors. He took care of them, their agents and captives and this jived with another of his earlier interests. As a youngster he spent late nights watching English spy thrillers. He maintains active membership in the AFIO (Association of Former Intelligence Officers) and contributes to the Civil War Roundtable in Erie, PA, where he resides with his family.