Timid people fancied every hour of the day that they could see the
rebel army deploying over the hills of Arlington, and loud calls
were made for a general who could save us. But we had something
better than a mere general to save us. We had the grim and silent
strength of the forts. And these the enemy dare not approach. Their
effect on the enemy was manifest and he turned aside from them, and
passed up into Maryland, victorious and defiant.
I ought to tell you, my son, that while Pope was illustrating the
beauties of his new plan at the front, and bringing confusion on our
arms, General George arrived with his good old army of the Potomac,
which still loved him, still worshipped him as its hero. And just
when he was most needed, to save Pope from his disaster, the
government relieved him of his command, as if to increase the
confusion already prevailing. The army felt this as a slight offered
to itself, and called loudly for the restoration of its favorite
general. And then the general, whose portrait I have placed at the
head of a previous chapter, and who sat in his easy chair in
Washington, and brought our armies to grief, called loudly for
General George to come and help him out of his trouble.
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