Indeed, the fortune of war seemed in favor of
Richmond. Then the government began to see that if we would gain
victories our armies must be commanded by soldiers, not politicians.
Yes, my son, the people were excited to joy when the government
changed its military policy, and the great General Grant was brought
to Washington and placed in command of all our armies. The sun of
our hopes brightened then, for the people had confidence in that
general. He had whipped the rebels so well for us in the West, and
he had gained for us so many glorious victories.
And now, my son, we come to this remarkable siege of Washington. I
say remarkable, for it is destined to stand on the pages of military
history without anything to compare with it. Not that it was as
bloody, or that the city was as obstinately attacked and defended as
heroically, as some other cities that have been besieged, in ancient
as well as modern times. But you must know that sieges, like
battles, derive their great importance and all that makes them
remembered hereafter, not so much from the amount of blood that has
been shed during them, not so much from the impetuosity of the
attacks made or the heroic defences, as from the manner in which
they affect the fate of nations.
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