And his Secretary of War was also much troubled, as was
common with him on the appearance of danger. And the "Chief of
Staff" was also in trouble, and went to issuing orders, of a
memorable kind, few of which were understood, much less obeyed. The
result of all this was that there was great conflict of action. I
have no better name to call it by, my son. Hence it was, my son,
that our good President halted McDowell, and McDowell's corps. And
both looked on from a distance while General George was fighting
desperate battles with the enemy. This was the way the War
Department carried on the war at that time. Now, my son, it is my
purpose to so instruct you that you will know the whole truth
concerning the way the war was carried on.
The detention of General McDowell and his corps, while it
illustrated the great anxiety of the President and Secretary of War
for the safety of Washington, caused the failure of the campaign on
the Peninsula. All the sophistry in the world, my son, cannot change
that decision.
General George, with his army, was driven to the James River, and as
the enemy, then at Richmond, was between him and General Pope, and
might strike either at his pleasure, the government's fears about
Washington so increased that General George was finally recalled
from the James, to save the capital.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93