Then General George sent the right wing of his grand army, under
General Franklin, by water, to West Point, where he fought a battle
with General Johnston's rear-guard, and gained another victory. Then
both armies moved leisurely along, up the Peninsula, in a manner not
to make the marching uncomfortable. It rained a great deal, and the
roads were bad, and the enemy resolved not to be hurried. And our
Government, which was not so wise in war matters then as it got to
be in time, was not disposed to do anything that might change
General Johnston's resolution. In fine, our Government seemed to
have quite as big a quarrel with General George as it had with the
rebels, and the politicians held it of more importance to destroy
our own general than the rebel army. The Government was just as fair
as fair could be in making promises to General George. But then the
Government seemed to have a short memory, and forgot its promises
almost as soon as it had made them. It promised to send General
McDowell, who was not far away, to help George fight the rebels and
take Richmond. But the Government forgot to do so; and instead, kept
that gallant officer looking from the hills of Fredericksburg, to
see if the rebels were coming in that direction.
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