SewarddisapprovedofthecompositionoftheCabinetsomuchthat,almostatthelastmoment,hewithdrewhisacceptanceoftheStateDepartment。ItwasLincoln'sgentlenessofargumentwhichovercamehisreluctancetoserve。Wemaybesure,however,thatSewardfailedtoobservethatLincoln'stactlessnessinsocialmattersdidnotextendtohismanagementofmeninpolitics;wemayfeelsurethatwhatremainedinhismindwasLincoln'sunwillingnesstoenterofficewithoutWilliamHenrySewardasSecretaryofState。
  ThepromptnesswithwhichSewardassumedtheroleofprimeministerbearsoutthisinference。ThesamefactalsorevealsapuzzlingdetailofSeward'scharacterwhichamountedtoobtuseness——hisforgetfulnessthatappointmenttocabinetofficeshadnottransformedhisoldpoliticalrivalsChaseandCameron,norsoftenedthefeelingsofaninveteratepoliticalenemy,Welles,theSecretaryoftheNavy。TheimpressionwhichSewardmadeonhiscolleaguesinthefirstdaysofthenewGovernmenthasbeenthussharplyrecordedbyWelles:"TheSecretaryofStatewas,ofcourse,apprisedofeverymeeting[ofministers]andneverfailedinhisattendance,whateverwasthesubject-matter,andthoughentirelyoutofhisofficialprovince。HewasvigilantlyattentivetoeverymeasureandmovementinotherDepartments,howevertrivial——asmuchsoastohisown——watchedandscrutinizedeveryappointmentthatwasmade,orproposedtobemade,butwasnotcommunicativeinregardtothetransactionoftheStateDepartment。"SoeagerwasSewardtokeepallthethreadsofaffairsinhisownhandsthathetriedtopersuadeLincolnnottoholdcabinetmeetingsbutmerelytoconsultwithparticularministers,andwiththeSecretaryofState,asoccasionmightdemand。AcombinedprotestfromtheotherSecretaries,however,causedtheregularholdingofCabinetmeetings。
  WithregardtotheConfederacy,Seward'spolicywasoneofnon-resistance。Forthishehadtworeasons。ThefirstofthesewashisrooteddelusionthatthebulkoftheSouthernerswereopposedtosecessionand,ifletalone,wouldforcetheirleaderstoreconsidertheiraction。Hemighthavequotedthenurseryrhyme,"Letthemaloneandthey'llcomehome";itwouldhavebeenlikehimandintunewithafrivoloussideofhisnature。HewasquiteasirresponsiblewhenhecomplacentlyassuredtheNorththatthetroublewouldallblowoverwithinninetydays。HealsobelievedthatanydisplayofforcewouldconvertthesehypotheticalUnionistsoftheSouthfromfriendstoenemiesandwouldconsolidateopinionintheConfederacytoproducewar。InjusticetoSewarditmustberememberedthatonthispointtimejustifiedhisfears。
  HisdealingswiththeConfederatecommissionersshowthathewasplayingtogaintime,notwithintenttodeceivetheSouthernersbuttoacquirethatdominationoverLincolnwhichhefeltwashisbynaturalright。Intendingtoinstituteapeacepolicythemomenthegainedthisascendency,hefeltperfectlysafeinmakingpromisestothecommissionersthroughmutualfriends。HevirtuallytoldthemthatSumterwouldeventuallybegivenupandthatalltheyneeddowastowait。
  SewardbroughttobearuponthePresidenttheopinionsofvariousmilitarymenwhothoughtthetimehadpassedwhenanyexpeditionforthereliefofSumtercouldsucceed。ForsometimeLincolnseemedabouttoconsent,thoughreluctantly,toSeward'sleadinthematteroftheforts。Hewaspulledupstanding,however,bythethreatenedresignationofthePostmaster-General,Blair。
  AfteraconferencewithleadingRepublicanpoliticiansthePresidentannouncedtohisCabinetthathispolicywouldincludethereliefofSumter。"Seward,"saysWelles,"……wasevidentlydispleased。"
  Sewardnowtookanewtack。FortPickens,atPensacola,wasaproblemsimilartothatofSumteratCharleston。BothweredemandedbytheConfederates,andbothwereinneedofsupplies。
  ButFortPickenslaytooneside,sotospeak,ofthepublicmind,andtherewasnotconspicuouslyintheworld'seyethesquareissueoveritthattherewasoverSumter。Sewardconceivedtheideathat,ifthePresident'sattentionweredivertedfromSumtertoPickensandareliefexpeditionweresenttothelatterbutnonetotheformer,hisprivatenegotiationswiththeConfederatesmightstillbekeptgoing;Lincolnmightyetbehypnotized;andatlastallwouldbewell。
  OnAll-Fools'Day,1861,inthemidstofapressofbusiness,heobtainedLincoln'ssignaturetosomedispatches,whichLincoln,itseems,discussedwithhimhurriedlyandwithoutdetailedconsideration。Therewerenowinpreparationtworeliefexpeditions,onetocarrysuppliestoPensacola,theothertoCharleston。Neitherwastofightifitwasnotmolested。Bothweretobestrongenoughtofightiftheircommandersdeemeditnecessary。AsflagshipoftheCharlestonexpedition,WelleshaddetailedthepowerfulwarshipPowhatan,whichwasrapidlybeingmadereadyattheBrooklynNavyYard。SuchwasthesituationasWellesunderstooditwhenhewasthinkingofbedlateonthenightofthe6thofApril。UntilthenhehadnotsuspectedthattherewasdoubtandbewildermentaboutthePowhatanatBrooklyn。
  OneofthosedispatcheswhichLincolnhadsohastilysignedprovidedfordetachingthePowhatanfromtheCharlestonexpeditionandsendingitsafeoutofharm'swaytoPensacola。
  Thecommanderoftheshiphadbeforehimtheconflictingorders,onefromthePresident,onefromtheSecretaryoftheNavy。HewasabouttosailunderthePresident'sordersforPensacola;butwishingtomakesureofhisauthority,hehadtelegraphedtoWashington。GideonWelleswasapugnaciousman。HisdislikeforSewardwasdeepseated。ImaginehisstateofmindwhenitwasaccidentlyrevealedtohimthatSewardhadgonebehindhisbackandhadissuedtonavalofficersorderswhichwerecontradictorytohisown!TheimmediateresultwasaninterviewthatsamenightbetweenSewardandWellesinwhich,asWellescoldlyadmittedinafterdays,theSecretaryoftheNavyshowed"someexcitement。"Togethertheywent,aboutmidnight,totheWhiteHouse。Lincolnhadsomedifficultyrecallingtheincidentofthedispatchonthe1stofApril;butwhenhedidremember,hetooktheresponsibilityentirelyuponhimself,sayinghehadhadnopurposebuttostrengthenthePickensexpedition,andnothoughtofweakeningtheexpeditiontoCharleston。HedirectedSewardtotelegraphimmediatelycancellingtheorderdetachingthePowhatan。Sewardmadeadesperateattempttoputhimoff,protesting,itwastoolatetosendatelegramthatnight。"ButthePresidentwasimperative,"writesSecretaryWelles,indescribingtheincident,andadispatchwassent。
  Sewardthen,doubtlessinhisagitation,didastrangething。
  InsteadoftelegraphinginthePresident'sname,thedispatchwhichhesentreadmerely,"GiveupthePowhatan……Seward。"WhenthisdispatchwasreceivedatBrooklyn,thePowhatanwasalreadyunderwayandhadtobeovertakenbyafasttug。Intheeyesofhercommander,however,apersonaltelegramfromtheSecretaryofStateappearedasofnoweightagainsttheofficialordersofthePresident,andhecontinuedhisvoyagetoPensacola。
  ThemercurialtemperofSewardcomesouteveninthecausticnarrativewrittenafterwardsbyWelles。EvidentlySewardwasdeeplymortifiedanddepressedbytheincident。Heremarked,saysWelles,thatoldashewashehadlearnedalesson,andthatwasthathehadbetterattendtohisownbusiness。"Tothis,"
  commentedhisenemy,"Icordiallyassented。"
  NeverthelessSeward'slossoffaithinhimselfwasonlymomentary。Anight'ssleepwassufficienttorestoreit。Hisnextcommunicationtothecommissionersshowsthathewashimselfagain,surethatdestinyowedhimthecontrolofthesituation。
  Onthefollowingdaythecommissionershadgotwindofthereliefexpeditionandpressedhimforinformation,recallinghisassurancethatnothingwouldbedonetotheirdisadvantage。Inreply,stillthroughathirdperson,Sewardsentthemthefamousmessage,overtheprecisemeaningofwhichgreatdebatehasraged:"FaithastoSumterfullykept;waitandsee。"IfthisinfatuateddreamerstillbelievedhecoulddominateLincoln,stillhopedatthelastmomenttoarresttheexpeditiontoCharleston,hewasdoomedtobitterestdisappointment。
  Onthe9thofApril,theexpeditiontoFortSumtersailed,butwithout,aswehaveseen,theassistanceofthemuchneededwarship,thePowhatan。Asalltheworldknows,theexpeditionhadbeentoolongdelayedanditaccomplishednothing。Beforeitarrived,thesurrenderofSumterhadbeendemandedandrefused——andwarhadbegun。DuringthebombardmentofSumter,thereliefexpeditionappearedbeyondthebar,butitscommanderhadnovesselsofsuchacharacterastoenablehimtocarryaidtothefortress。Furthermore,hehadnotbeeninformedthatthePowhatanhadbeendetachedfromhissquadron,andheexpectedtomeetheratthemouthoftheharbor。Therehisshipslayidleuntilthefortwassurrendered,waitingforthePowhatan——forwhosedetachmentfromthesquadronSewardwasresponsible。
  ToreturntotheworldofintrigueatWashington,however,itmustnotbesupposed,asissooftendone,thatFortSumterwastheoneconcernofthenewgovernmentduringitsfirstsixweeks。
  Infact,thesubjectoccupiedbutafractionofLincoln'stime。
  Scarcelysecondinimportancewasthatmattersocuriouslyboundupwiththereliefoftheforts——thegettinginhandofthestrangelyvaingloriousSecretaryofState。MentionhasalreadybeenmadeofAll-Fools'Day,1861。Severalmarvelousthingstookplaceonthatday。StrangestofallwasthepresentationofapaperbytheSecretaryofStatetohischief,entitled"ThoughtsforthePresident'sConsideration"。WhetheritberegardedasastatepaperorasabiographicaldetailinthecareerofSeward,itprovestobequitethemostastoundingthinginthewholeepisode。The"Thoughts"outlinedacourseofpolicybywhichthebuoyantSecretaryintendedtomakegoodhisprophecyofdomesticpeacewithinninetydays。BesidescalmlypatronizingLincoln,assuringhimthathislackof"apolicyeitherdomesticorforeign"was"notculpableand……evenunavoidable,"thepaperwarnedhimthat"policies……bothdomesticandforeign"mustimmediatelybeadopted,anditproceededtopointoutwhattheyoughttobe。Brieflystated,theonetruepolicywhichheadvocatedathomewastoevacuateSumterthoughPickensforsomeunexplainedreasonmightbesafelyretainedandthen,inordertobringtheSouthernersbackintotheUnion,topickquarrelswithbothSpainandFrance;toproceedasquicklyaspossibletowarwithbothpowers;andtohavetheultimatesatisfactionofbeholdingthereunionofthecountrythroughthegeneralenthusiasmthatwasboundtocome。Finally,thepaperintimatedthattheSecretaryofStatewasthemantocarrythisprojectthroughtosuccess。
  Allthisisnotoperabouffe,butserioushistory。ItmusthavetaxedLincoln'ssenseofhumorandstrainedhissenseofthefitnessofthingstotreatsuchnonsensewiththetactfulforbearancewhichheshowedandtorelegateittothepigeonholewithoutmakingSewardangry。Yetthishecontrivedtodo;andhealsomanaged,gentlybutfirmly,tomakeitplainthatthePresidentintendedtoexercisehisauthorityasthechiefmagistrateofthenation。HisforbearancewasfurthershowninpassingoverwithoutrebukeSeward'spartintheaffairofSumter,whichmightsoeasilyhavebeenmadetoappeartreacherous,andinshoulderinghimselfwithallresponsibilityforthefailureoftheCharlestonexpedition。Inthewaveofexcitementfollowingthesurrender,evensodebonairaministerasSewardmusthaverealizedhowfortunateitwasforhimthathischiefdidnottellallheknew。AboutthistimeSewardbegantoperceivethatLincolnhadawillofhisown,andthatitwasnotsafetotriflefurtherwiththePresident。Sewardthereuponceasedhisinterference。
  ItwasinthedarkdaysprecedingthefallofSumterthatacrowdofoffice-seekersgatheredatWashington,mostofthemmenwhohadlittleinterestinanythingbutthespoils。ItisadistressingcommentaryontheAmericanpartysystemthat,duringthemostcriticalmonthofthemostcriticalperiodofAmericanhistory,muchofthePresident'stimewasconsumedbythesepoliticalvampireswhowouldnotbeputoff,eventhougharevolutionwasinprogressandnations,perhaps,weredyingandbeingborn。"Thescrambleforoffice,"wroteStanton,"isterrible。"Sewardnotedprivately:"SolicitantsforofficebesiegethePresident……MydutiescallmetotheWhiteHousetwoorthreetimesaday。Thegrounds,halls,stairways,closets,arefilledwithapplicantswhorenderingressandegressdifficult。"
  SecretaryWelleshasetchedtheWashingtonofthattimeinhiscoldlyscornfulway:
  "AstrangestateofthingsexistedatthattimeinWashington。
  Theatmospherewasthickwithtreason。Partyspiritandoldpartydifferencesprevailed,however,amidsttheseaccumulateddangers。Secessionwasconsideredbymostpersonsasapoliticalpartyquestion,notasrebellion。DemocratstoalargeextentsympathizedwiththeRebelsmorethanwiththeAdministration,whichtheyopposed,notthattheywishedSecessiontobesuccessfulandtheUniondivided,buttheyhopedthatPresidentLincolnandtheRepublicanswould,overwhelmedbyobstaclesandembarrassments,provefailures。TheRepublicansontheotherhand,werescarcelylesspartisanandunreasonable。Patriotismwaswiththemnotest,noshieldfrompartymalevolence。TheydemandedtheproscriptionandexclusionofsuchDemocratsasopposedtheRebelmovementandclungtotheUnion,withthesamevehemencethattheydemandedtheremovaloftheworstRebelswhoadvocatedadissolutionoftheUnion。Neitherpartyappearedtobeapprehensiveof,ortorealizethegatheringstorm。"
  Seenagainstsuchabackground,thepoliticalanddiplomaticfrivolityoftheSecretaryofStateisnotsoinexplicableasitwouldotherwisebe。Thisbackground,aswellastheintrigueoftheSecretary,helpsustounderstandLincoln'sgreattaskinsidehisCabinet。AtfirsttheCabinetwasagroupofjealouspoliticiansnewtothissortofoffice,drawnfromdifferentparties,andtotallylackinginacordialsenseofpreviousactiontogether。Noneofthem,probably,whentheyfirstassembledhadanyhighopinionoftheirtitularhead。Hewaslookeduponasapoliticalmakeshift。Thebestofthemhadtolearntoappreciatethefactthatthisstrange,ungainlyman,sprungfromplainestorigin,withoutformaleducation,wasagreatgenius。Bydegrees,however,thelargemindsintheCabinetbecamehiscordialadmirers。WhileLincolnwasquietly,graduallyexercisinghisstrongwilluponSeward,hewasdoingthesamewiththeothermembersofhiscouncil。Presentlytheyawoke——themajorityofthematleast——tothetruththathe,forallhisoddways,wastheirmaster。
  MeanwhilethegradualreadjustmentofallfactionsintheNorthwassteadilygoingforward。TheRepublicanswerefallingintolinebehindtheGovernment;andbydegreesthedistinctionbetweenSewardandLincoln,inthepopularmind,fadedintoasortofcompositepicturecalled"theAdministration。"LincolnhadtherewardofhislongforbearancewithhisSecretary。ForSewarditmustbesaidthat,howeverhehadintriguedagainsthischiefatWashington,hedidnotintriguewiththecountry。
  Admittingashehad,too,thathehadmethismaster,hetookthedefeatasagoodsportsmanandthrewallhisvastpartyinfluenceintothescaleforLincoln'sfortunes。Thus,asAprilworeon,theRepublicanpartysettleddowntotheideathatitwastofollowtheGovernmentatWashingtonuponanycoursethatmightdevelop。
  TheDemocratsintheNorthwereanti-Southerninlargerproportion,probably,thanatanyothertimeduringthestruggleofthesections。WehaveseenthatnumbersofthemhadfranklydeclaredfortheUnion。Politicshadprovedweakerthanpropinquity。Therewasamomentwhenitseemed——delusively,aseventsproved——thattheNorthwasunitedasonemantoopposetheSouth。
  ThereissurelynotanotherdayinourhistorythathaswitnessedsomuchnervoustensionasSaturday,April13,1861,foronthatmorningthenewspaperselectrifiedtheNorthwiththenewsthatSumterhadbeenfiredonfromConfederatebatteriesontheshoreofCharlestonHarbor。IntheSouththeissuewasawaitedconfidently,butmanymindsatleastwereinthatstateofawedsuspensenaturaltoamomentwhichthethoughtfulseeisthestrokeoffate。IntheNorth,thedaypassedforthemostpartinaquietsobreathlessthateventhemostcarelesscouldhaveforetoldthestormwhichbrokeonthefollowingday。TheaccountofthiscrisiswhichhasbeengivenbyLincoln'sprivatesecretaryisinteresting:
  "ThatdaytherewaslittlechangeinthebusinessroutineoftheExecutiveoffice。Mr。Lincolnwasneverliabletosuddenexcitementorsuddenactivity……SowhiletheSumtertelegramswereoneverytongue……leadingmenandofficialscalledtolearnorimpartthenews。TheCabinet,asbycommonimpulse,cametogetheranddeliberated。Alltalk,however,wasbrief,sententious,formal。Lincolnsaidbutlittlebeyondmakinginquiriesaboutthecurrentreportsandcriticizingtheprobabilityoraccuracyoftheirdetails,andwentonasusualreceivingvisitors,listeningtosuggestions,andsigningroutinepapersthroughouttheday。"MeanwhilethecannonwereboomingatCharleston。Thepeoplecameoutonthesea-frontofthelovelyoldcityandwatchedtheduelofthecannonfardowntheharbor,andspokejoyouslyofthegreatevent。Theysawtheshellsoftheshorebatteriesigniteportionsofthefortressontheisland。Theywatchedthefireofthedefenders——drivenbytheflamesintoarestrictedarea——slackenandcease。AtlasttheflagoftheUnionfluttereddownfromaboveFortSumter。
  WhenthenewsflashedovertheNorth,earlySundaymorning,April14th,thetensionbroke。Formanyobserversthenandafterward,theonlyNorthdiscerniblethatfatefulSabbathwasanenraged,defiant,impulsivenation,forgetfulforthemomentofallitsdifferences,andunitingallitsvoicesinonehoarsecryforvengeance。Thereseemedtobenootherthought。Lincolngaveitformalutterance,thatsameday,byassemblinghisCabinetanddrawingupaproclamationwhichcalledfor75,000volunteertroops。
  Anincidentofthisdaywhichisassignificanthistoricallyasanyotherwasonthesurfacenomorethanafriendlytalkbetweentwomen。DouglascalledattheWhiteHouse。FornearlytwohoursheandLincolnconferredinprivate。HithertoithadbeenalittleuncertainwhatcourseDouglaswasgoingtotake。IntheSenate,thoughcondemningdisunion,hehadopposedwar。FewmatterscanhavetroubledLincolnmoredeeplythanthequestionwhichwayDouglas'simmenseinfluencewouldbethrown。ThequestionwasansweredpubliclyinthenewspapersofMonday,April15th。Douglasannouncedthatwhilehewasstill"unalterablyopposedtotheAdministrationonallitspoliticalissues,hewaspreparedtosustainthePresidentintheexerciseofallhisconstitutionalfunctionstopreservetheUnion,andmaintaintheGovernment,anddefendthefederalcapital。"
  ThereremainedofDouglas'slifebutafewmonths。ThetimewasfilledwithearnestspeechmakinginsupportoftheGovernment。
  HehadstartedWestdirectlyfollowinghisconferencewithLincoln。HisspeechesinOhio,Indiana,Illinois,wereperhapsthegreatestsingleforceinbreakinguphisownfollowing,puttinganendtotheprincipleofdoingnothing,andforcingeveryDemocrattocomeoutandshowhiscolors。InShakespeare'sphrase,itwas——"Underwhichking,Bezonian?speakordie!"InDouglas'sownphrase:"Therecanbenoneutralsinthiswar;ONLY
  PATRIOTS——ORTRAITORS。"
  SidebysidewithDouglas'smanifestototheDemocratsthereappearedintheMondaypapersLincoln'scallforvolunteers。ThemilitiaofseveralNorthernStatesatonceresponded。
  OnWednesday,the17thofApril,theSixthMassachusettsRegimententrainedforWashington。TwodayslateritwasinBaltimore。
  Thereitwasattackedbyamob;thesoldiersfired;andanumberofcivilianswerekilledaswellasseveralsoldiers。
  TheseshotsatBaltimorearousedtheSouthernpartyinMaryland。
  LedbytheMayorofthecity,theyresolvedtopreventthepassageofothertroopsacrosstheirStatetoWashington。
  Railwaytracksweretornupbyorderofthemunicipalauthorities,andbridgeswereburnt。Thetelegraphwascut。Asinaflash,afterissuinghisproclamation,LincolnfoundhimselfisolatedatWashingtonwithnoforcebutahandfuloftroopsandthegovernmentclerks。AndwhileMarylandroseagainsthimononeside,Virginiajoinedhisenemiesontheother。ThedaytheSixthMassachusettsleftBoston,Virginiaseceded。TheVirginiamilitiawerecalledtotheircolors。PreparationswereatoncesetonfootfortheseizureofthegreatfederalarsenalatHarper'sFerryandtheNavyYardatNorfolk。Thenextdayahandfuloffederaltroops,fearfulofbeingoverpoweredatHarper'sFerry,burnedthearsenalandwithdrewtoWashington。
  ForthesamereasonthebuildingsofthegreatNavyYardwereblownuporsetonfire,andtheshipsatanchorweresunk。SodesperateandunpreparedweretheWashingtonauthoritiesthattheytooktheseextrememeasurestokeeparmsandammunitionoutofthehandsoftheVirginians。Sohastilywasthedestructioncarriedout,thatitwasonlypartiallysuccessfulandatbothplaceslargestoresofammunitionwereseizedbytheVirginiatroops。WhileWashingtonwasisolated,andLincolndidnotknowwhatresponsetheNorthhadmadetohisproclamation,RobertE。
  Lee,havingresignedhiscommissioninthefederalarmy,wasplacedincommandoftheVirginiatroops。
  ThesecretariesofLincolnhavepreservedapictureofhisdesperateanxiety,waiting,dayafterday,forrelieffromtheNorthwhichhehopedwouldspeedilycomebysea。Outwardlyhemaintainedhisself-control。"Butonce,ontheafternoonofthe23d,thebusinessofthedaybeingover,theExecutiveofficebeingdeserted,afterwalkingtheflooraloneinsilentthoughtfornearlyhalfanhour,hestoppedandgazedlongandwistfullyoutofthewindowdownthePotomacinthedirectionoftheexpectedships;and,unconsciousofotherpresenceintheroom,atlengthbrokeoutwithirrepressibleanguishintherepeatedexclamation,"Whydon'ttheycome!Whydon'ttheycome!"
  Duringthesedaysofisolation,whenWashington,withthetelegraphinoperative,waskeptinanappallinguncertainty,theNorthrose。Therewasliterallyarushtovolunteer。"Theheatherisonfire,"wroteGeorgeTicknor,"Ineverbeforeknewwhatapopularexcitementcanbe。"AsfastaspossiblemilitiawerehurriedSouth。ThecrackNewYorkregiment,thefamous,dandifiedSeventh,startedforthefrontamidprobablythemosttempestuousovationwhichuntilthattimewasevergiventoamilitaryorganizationinAmerica。OfthemarchoftheregimentdownBroadway,oneofitsmemberswrote,"Onlyonewhopassedaswedid,throughthetempestofcheerstwomileslong,canknowtheterribleenthusiasmoftheoccasion。"
  ToreachWashingtonbyrailwasimpossible。TheSeventhwentbyboattoAnnapolis。ThesamecoursewastakenbyaregimentofMassachusettsmechanics,theEighth。LandingatAnnapolis,thetworegiments,dandiesandlaborers,fraternizedatonceinthecommonbondofloyaltytotheUnion。AbranchrailwayledfromAnnapolistothemainlinebetweenWashingtonandBaltimore。Therailshadbeentornup。TheMassachusettsmechanicssettoworktorelaythem。TheGovernorofMarylandprotested。Hewasdisregarded。Thetworegimentstoiledtogetheralongdayandthroughthenightfollowing,betweenAnnapolisandtheWashingtonjunction,bringingontheirbaggageandcannonoverrelaidtracks。There,atrainwasfoundwhichtheSeventhappropriated。
  Atnoon,onthe25thofApril,thatadvanceguardoftheNorthernhostsenteredWashington,andLincolnknewthathehadarmiesbehindhim。
  CHAPTERVII。LINCOLN
  ThehistoryoftheNorthhadvirtuallybecome,byApril,1861,thehistoryofLincolnhimself,andduringtheremainingfouryearsofthePresident'slifeitisdifficulttoseparatehispersonalityfromthetrendofnationalhistory。AnyattempttounderstandtheachievementsandtheomissionsoftheNorthernpeoplewithoutundertakinganintelligentestimateoftheirleaderwouldbeonlytoduplicatethestoryof"Hamlet"withHamletleftout。AccordingtotheopinionofEnglishmilitaryexperts*,"AgainstthegreatmilitarygeniusofcertainSouthernleadersfateopposedtheunbrokenresolutionandpassionatedevotiontotheUnion,whichheworshiped,ofthegreatNorthernPresident。AslongashelivedandruledthepeopleoftheNorth,therecouldbenoturningback。"
  *WoodandEdmonds。"TheCivilWarintheUnitedStates。"
  LincolnhasbeenrankedwithSocrates;buthehasalsobeencomparedwithRabelais。Hehasbeenthetargetofabusethatknewnomercy;buthehasbeenworshipedasademigod。Thetenbigvolumesofhisofficialbiographyareasustained,intemperateeulogyinwhichtheherodoesnothingthatisnotadmirable;butaslargeabookcouldbebuiltupoutofcontemporaneousNorthernwritingsthatwouldpaintapictureofunmitigatedblackness——andthemosteloquentportionsofitwouldbesignedbyWendellPhillips。
  TherealLincolnis,ofcourse,neithertheLincolnoftheofficialbiographynortheLincolnofWendellPhillips。Hewasneitherasaintnoravillain。Whatheactuallywasisnot,however,soeasilystated。Prodigiousmenarenevereasytosumup;andLincolnwasaprodigiousman。Themoreonestudieshim,themoreindividualheappearstobe。Bydegreesonecomestounderstandhowitwaspossibleforcontemporariestoholdcontradictoryviewsofhimandforeachtobelievefranticallythathisviewswereprovedbyfacts。Foranyonewhothinkshecanhitoffinafewneatgeneralitiesthiscomplex,extraordinarypersonality,asinglewarningmaysuffice。WaltWhitman,whowasperhapsthemostoriginalthinkerandthemostacuteobserverwhoeversawLincolnfacetofacehasleftushisimpression;butheaddsthattherewassomethinginLincoln'sfacewhichdefieddescriptionandwhichnopicturehadcaught。
  AfterWhitman'sconclusionthat"Oneofthegreatportraitpaintersoftwoorthreehundredyearsagoisneeded,"themerehistorianshouldproceedwithcaution。
  Thereishistoricsignificanceinhisveryappearance。Hishuge,loose-knitfigure,sixfeetfourincheshigh,lean,muscular,ungainly,theevidenceofhisgreatphysicalstrength,wasafitsymbolofthosehardworkers,thechildrenofthesoil,fromwhomhesprang。Hisfacewasruggedlikehisfigure,thecomplexionswarthy,cheekboneshigh,andbushyblackhaircrowningagreatforeheadbeneathwhichtheeyesweredeep-set,gray,anddreaming。Asortofshamblingpowerfulnessformedthemainsuggestionoffaceandfigure,softenedstrangelybythemysteriousexpressionoftheeyes,andbythesingulardelicacyoftheskin。Themotionsofthisawkwardgiantlackedgrace;thetophatandblackfrockcoat,sometimesrusty,whichhadservedhimonthewesterncircuitcontinuedtoservehimwhenhewasvirtuallythedictatorofhiscountry。Itwasinsuchdressthathevisitedthearmy,wherehetoweredabovehisgenerals。
  Eveninabookofrestrictedscope,suchasthis,onemustinsistuponthedistinctionbetweentheprivateandpublicLincoln,forthereisasyetnoacceptedconceptionofhim。WhatcomesnearesttoanacceptedconceptioniscontainedprobablyintheversionofthelateCharlesFrancisAdams。Hetellsushowhisfather,theelderCharlesFrancisAdams,ambassadortoLondon,foundLincolnin1861anoffensivepersonality,andheinsiststhatLincolnunderstrainpassedthroughatransformationwhichmadetheLincolnof1864adifferentmanfromtheLincolnof1861。Perhaps;butwithoutbeingfrivolous,oneistemptedtoquotecertainold-fashionedAmericanpapersthatusedtolabeltheirnewsitems"importantiftrue。"
  Whatthen,wasthepublicLincoln?Whatexplainshisvastsuccess?AsaforceinAmericanhistory,whatdoeshecountfor?
  Perhapsthemostsignificantdetailinananswertothesequestionsisthefactthathehadneverheldconspicuouspublicofficeuntilattheageoffifty-twohebecamePresident。
  Psychologicallyhisplaceisinthatsmallgroupofgreatgeniuseswhosewholesignificantperiodliesinwhatwecommonlythinkofasthedeclineoflife。Thereareseveralsuchinhistory:RomehadCaesar;AmericahadbothLincolnandLee。Bycontrastingtheseinstanceswiththoseoftheothertype,theegoisticgeniusessuchasAlexanderorNapoleon,webecomeawareofsomedimbutprofounddividinglineseparatingthetwogroups。
  Thetheorythatgenius,atbottom,ispureenergyseemstofitNapoleon;butdoesitfittheseothermindswhoappeartomeetlifewithacertainindifference,withacarelessnessoftheirownfate,awillingnesstoleavemuchtochance?ThatirresistiblepassionforauthoritywhichNapoleonhadislackingintheseothers。Theirbasalinspirationseemstoresembletheimpulseoftheartisttoexpress,ratherthantheimpulseofthemanofactiontopossess。Haditnotbeenforsecession,LeewouldprobablyhaveendedhisdaysasanexemplarysuperintendentofWestPoint。AndwhatofLincoln?Hedabbledinpolitics,earlyandwithoutsuccess;heleftpoliticsforthelaw,andtothelawhegaveduringmanyyearshischiefdevotion。Butthefortuitousbreak-upofparties,withtherevivaloftheslaveryissue,touchedsomehiddenspring;theableprovinciallawyerfeltagainthepoliticalimpulse;hebecameafamousmakerofpoliticalphrases;andonthisliterarybasishebecametheleaderofaparty。
  ToolittleattentionhasbeenpaidtothisprogressionofLincolnthroughliteratureintopolitics。Theeasewithwhichhedriftedfromonetotheotherisalsostilltobeevaluated。Diditshowacertainslackness,acertainaimlessness,atthebottomofhisnature?Hadit,inaway,somesortofanalogy——tocomparehomespunwiththingsOlympian——totheveinoffrivolityinthegreatCaesar?Oneistemptedtothinkso。Surely,herewasoneofthosenatureswhichneedcircumstancetocompelthemtogreatnessandwhicharenotforedoomed,Napoleon-like,toseizegreatness。Withoutencroachinguponthebiographicaltask,onemayborrowfrombiographythisinsistentecho:theanecdotesofLincolnsoundoverandoverthenoteofeasy-goinggoodnature;
  butthereistobefoundinmanyoftheLincolnanecdotesanovertoneofmelancholywhichlingersafterone'simpressionofhisgoodnature。Quitenaturally,insuchabiographicalatmosphere,wefindourselvesthinkingofhimatfirstasalittletoogood-humored,alittletooeasy-going,alittlepronetofallintoreverie。Wearenotsurprisedwhenwefindhisfavoritepoembeginning"Oh,whyshouldthespiritofmortalbeproud。"
  ThisenigmaticalmanbecamePresidentinhisfifty-secondyear。
  Wehavealreadyseenthathisnextperiod,thewinterof1860-61,hasitsbiographicalproblems。TheimpressionwhichhemadeonthecountryasPresident-electwasdistinctlyunfavorable。Goodhumor,oropportunism,orwhatyouwill,broughttogetherinLincoln'sCabinetatleastthreemenmoreconspicuousintheordinarysensethanhewashimself。Weforget,today,howinsignificanthemusthaveseemedinaCabinetthatembracedSeward,Cameron,andChase——alllargenationalfigures。Whatwouldnothistorygiveforapageofself-revelationshowingushowhefeltintheearlydaysofthatcompany!Washetroubled?
  Didhedoubthisabilitytoholdhisown?Washefatalistic?
  Washissadsmilehisrefuge?Didhemerelyputthingsby,ignoringtomorrowuntiltomorrowshouldarrive?
  Howeverwemayguessattheanswerstosuchquestions,onethingnowbecomescertain。Hisqualityofgoodhumorbegantobehissalvation。ItisdoubtfulifanyPresidentexceptWashingtonhadtomanagesodifficultaCabinet。WashingtonhadseennosolutiontotheproblembuttoletJeffersongo。LincolnfoundhisCabinetoftenonthevergeofasplit,withtwopowerfulfactionsstrugglingtocontrolitandneitherevergainingfullcontrol。Thoughtherewerenumerouswithdrawals,noresigningsecretaryreallysplitLincoln'sCabinet。BywhatturnsandtwistsandskillfulmaneuversLincolnpreventedsuchadivisionandkeptsuchinveterateenemiesasChaseandSewardsteadilyattheirjobs——Chaseduringthreeyears,Sewardtotheend——willpartlyappearinthefollowingpages;butthewholedelicateachievementcannotbeproperlyappreciatedexceptindetailedbiography。
  AllcriticismofLincolnturnseventuallyononequestion:Washeanopportunist?Notonlyhisenemiesinhisowntimebutmanypoliticiansofalaterdaywereeagertoprovethathewasthelatter——indeed,seekingtosheltertheirownopportunismbehindthemajestyofhisexample。AmoderninstancewillperhapsmakevividthislongstandingdebateuponLincolnandhismotives。
  Merelyforhistoricilluminationandwithoutbecominginvidious,wemayrecalltheinstanceofPresidentWilsonandtheresignationofhisSecretaryofWarin1916becauseCongresswouldnotmeettheissueofpreparedness。ThePresidentacceptedtheresignationwithoutforcingtheissue,andCongresswentonfiddlingwhileRomeburned。Now,wasthePresidentanopportunist,merelywaitingtoseewhatcourseeventswouldtake,orwasheapoliticalstrategist,astutelybidinghistime?
  SimilarincharacteristhisolddebateuponLincoln,whichisperhapsbestfocussedintheremovalofSecretaryBlairwhichweshallhavetonoteinconnectionwiththeelectionof1864。
  Itisdifficultforthemostobjectivehistoriantodealwithsuchquestionswithoutobtrudinghispersonalviews,butthereisnothingmerelyindividualinrecordingthefactthatthesteadydriftofopinionhasbeenawayfromtheconceptionofLincolnasanopportunist。Whatoncecausedhimtobethusconceivedappearsnowtohavebeenafailuretocomprehendintelligentlythenatureofhisundertaking。Moreandmore,thetendencynowadaysistoconceivehiscareerasoneofthosefewinstancesinwhichtheprecisefacultiesneededtosolveaparticularproblemwerecalledintoplayatexactlythecriticalmoment。
  OurconfusionswithregardtoLincolnhavegrownoutofourfailuretoappreciatethesingularityoftheAmericanpeople,andtheirultra-singularityduringtheyearsinwhichhelived。Itremainstobeseenhereafterwhatstrangeelementsofsensibility,ofwaywardness,oflackofimagination,ofundisciplinedardor,ofselfishness,ofdeceitfulness,oftreachery,combinedwithheroicideality,madeupthecharacterofthatcomplexpopulacewhichitwasLincoln'stasktocontrol。
  Buthedidmorethancontrolit:hesomehowcompoundedmuchofitintosomethinglikeaunit。TomeasureLincoln'sachievementinthisrespect,twothingsmustberemembered:ontheonehand,histaskwasnotasarduousasitmighthavebeen,becausethemostintellectualpartoftheNorthhaddefinitelycommitteditselfeitherirretrievablyfor,orirreconcilablyagainst,hispolicy。
  Lincoln,therefore,didnothavetotroublehimselfwiththisportionofthepopulation。Ontheotherhand,thatpartwhichhehadtomasterincludedsuchemotionalrhetoriciansasHoraceGreeley;suchfiercezealotsasHenryWinterDavisofMaryland,whomadehimtroubleindeed,andBenjaminWade,whomwehavemetalready;suchmilitaryegoistsasMcClellanandPope;suchcraftydouble-dealersashisownSecretaryoftheTreasury;suchastutegraftersasCameron;suchmiserablecreaturesascertainpowerfulcapitalistswhosacrificedhisarmytotheirownlustforprofitsfilchedfromarmycontracts。
  ThewonderofLincoln'sachievementisthathecontrivedatlasttoextendhisholdoverallthesediverseelements;thathepersuadedsome,outwittedothers,andovercamethemall。Thesubtletyofthistaskwouldhaveruinedanystatesmanofthedrivingsort。ExplainLincolnbyanytheoryyouwill,hispersonalitywasthekeystoneoftheNorthernarch;subtractit,andthearchfalls。Thepopularelementbeingascomplexandpowerfulasitwas,howcouldthepresidingstatesmanhavemasteredthesituationifhehadnotbeenofsopeculiarasortthathecouldinfluenceallthesediverseandpowerfulinterests,slowly,bydegrees,withoutheat,withouttheimperativenote,almostinsilence,withtheuniversal,enfoldingirresistibilityofthegradualthingsinnature,ofthesunandtherain。SuchwasthegeniusofLincoln——allbutpassionless,yetsoquietthatonecannotbutbelieveinthegreatdepthofhisnature。
  Weare,eventoday,farfromadefinitiveunderstandingofLincoln'sstatecraft,butthereisperhapsjustificationforventuringupononeprophecy。Thefartherfromhimwegetandthemoreclearlyweseehiminperspective,themoreweshallrealizehiscreativeinfluenceuponhisparty。ALincolnwhoisthemoulderofeventsandthegreatcreatorofpublicopinionwillemergeatlastintoclearview。IntheLincolnofhisultimatebiographertherewillbemoreofironthanofalessenduringmetalinthefigureoftheLincolnofpresenttradition。Thoughnoneofhisgentlenesswilldisappear,therewillbemoreemphasisplaceduponhisfirmness,anduponsuchepisodesasthatofDecember,1860,whenhissinglewillturnedthescaleagainstcompromise;uponhissteadinessinthedefeatofhispartyatthepollsin1862;orhisoverrulingofthewillofCongressinthesummerof1864onthequestionofreconstruction;orhisattitudeintheautumnofthatyearwhenhebelievedthathewaslosinghissecondelection。Behindallhisgentleness,hisslowness,behindhissadness,therewilleventuallyappearaninflexiblepurpose,strongassteel,unwaveringasfate。
  TheCivilWarwasintruthLincoln'swar。Thosemodernpacifistswhoclaimhimfortheirownarebesidethemark。TheywillnevergetovertheirillusionsaboutLincolnuntiltheysee,asalltheworldisbeginningtosee,thathiscareerhasuniversalsignificancebecauseofitsbearingontheuniversalmodernproblemofdemocracy。Itwillnotdoevertoforgetthathewasamanofthepeople,alwaysplayingthehandofthepeople,inthelimitedsocialsenseofthatword,thoughplayingitwithnoneoftheheatusuallymetwithinthestatesmenofsuccessfuldemocracyfromCleontoRobespierre,fromAndrewJacksontoLloydGeorge。HisgentlenessdoesnotremoveLincolnfromthatsterncategory。Throughouthislife,besideshispassionfortheUnion,besideshisantipathytoslavery,theredweltinhisveryheartloveofandfaithintheplainpeople。Weshallneverseehimintruehistoricperspectiveuntilweconceivehimastheinstrumentofavastsocialidea——thedeterminationtomakeagovernmentbasedontheplainpeoplesuccessfulinwar。
  Hedidnotscrupletoseizepowerwhenhethoughtthecauseofthepeopledemandedit,andhisenemieswereprompttoaccusehimofholdingtothedoctrinethattheendjustifiedthemeans——ahastyconclusionwhichwillhavetobereconsidered;whatconcernsusmorecloselyisthedefiniteconvictionthathefeltnosacrificetoogreatifitadvancedthehappinessofthegeneralityofmankind。
  ThefinalsignificanceofLincolnasastatesmanofdemocracyisbroughtoutmostclearlyinhisforeignrelations。FateputitintothehandsofEnglandtodeterminewhetherhisGovernmentshouldstandorfall。ThoughitisdoubtfulhowfartheturningofthescaleofEnglishpolicyinLincoln'sfavorwasduetotheinfluenceoftherisingpowerofEnglishdemocracy,itisplainthatLincolnthoughtofhimselfashavingonepurposewiththatmovementwhichheregardedasanally。BeyondalldoubtamongthemostgratefulmessagesheeverreceivedweretheNewYeargreetingsofconfidenceandsympathywhichweresentbyEnglishworkingmenin1863。Afewsentencesinhis"LettertotheWorkingmenofLondon"helpustolookthroughhiseyesandseehislifeanditsstrugglesastheyappearedtohiminrelationtoworldhistory:
  "Asthesesentiments[expressedbytheEnglishworkmen]aremanifestlytheenduringsupportofthefreeinstitutionsofEngland,soamIsurethattheyconstitutetheonlyreliablebasisforfreeinstitutionsthroughouttheworld……Theresources,advantages,andpoweroftheAmericanpeopleareverygreat,andtheyhaveconsequentlysucceededtoequallygreatresponsibilities。Itseemstohavedevolveduponthemtotestwhetheragovernmentestablishedontheprinciplesofhumanfreedomcanbemaintainedagainstanefforttobuildoneupontheexclusivefoundationofhumanbondage。Theywillrejoicewithmeinthenewevidencewhichyourproceedingsfurnishthatthemagnanimitytheyareexhibitingisjustlyestimatedbythetruefriendsoffreedomandhumanityinforeigncountries。"
  Writtenattheopeningofthatterribleyear,1863,thesewordsareaforwardlinkwiththosemorecelebratedwordsspokentowarditscloseatGettysburg。Perhapsatnotimeduringthewar,exceptduringthefewdaysimmediatelyfollowinghisownreelectionayearlater,didLincolncomesonearbeingfreefromcareasthen。Perhapsthatexplainswhyhisfundamentalliterarypowerreasserteditselfsoremarkably,whythisspeechofhisatthededicationoftheNationalCemeteryatGettysburgonthe19thofNovember,1863,remainsoneofthemostmemorableorationseverdelivered:
  "Fourscoreandsevenyearsagoourfathersbroughtforthuponthiscontinentanewnation,conceivedinliberty,anddedicatedtothepropositionthatallmenarecreatedequal。
  "Nowweareengagedinagreatcivilwar,testingwhetherthatnation,oranynationsoconceivedandsodedicated,canlongendure。Wearemetonagreatbattlefieldofthatwar。Wehavecometodedicateaportionofthatfieldasafinalresting-placeforthosewhoheregavetheirlivesthatthatnationmightlive。
  Itisaltogetherfittingandproperthatweshoulddothis。
  "Butinalargersensewecannotdedicate,wecannotconsecrate,wecannothallowthisground。Thebravemen,livinganddead,whostruggledhere,haveconsecrateditfaraboveourpowertoaddordetract。Theworldwilllittlenotenorlongrememberwhatwesayhere,butitcanneverforgetwhattheydidhere。Itisforus,theliving,rather,tobededicatedheretotheunfinishedworkwhichtheywhofoughtherehavethusfarsonoblyadvanced。Itisratherforustobeherededicatedtothegreattaskremainingbeforeus:thatfromthesehonoreddeadwetakeincreaseddevotiontothatcauseforwhichtheygavethelastfullmeasureofdevotion;thatweherehighlyresolvethatthesedeadshallnothavediedinvain;thatthisnation,underGod,shallhaveanewbirthoffreedom;andthatgovernmentofthepeople,bythepeople,andforthepeople,shallnotperishfromtheearth。"
  CHAPTERVIII。THERULEOFLINCOLN
  ThefundamentalproblemoftheLincolnGovernmentwastheraisingofarmies,thesuddenconversionofacommunitywhichwasessentiallyindustrialintoadisciplinedmilitaryorganization。
  TheaccomplishmentofsogiganticatransformationtaxedtheabilitiesoftwoSecretariesofWar。Thefirst,SimonCameron,owedhisplaceintheCabinettothedoublefactofbeingoneoftheablestofpoliticalbossesandofstandinghighamongLincoln'scompetitorsforthePresidentialnomination。
  Personallyhonest,hewasalsoapoliticalcynictowhomtraditionascribestheepigramdefininganhonestpoliticianasonewho"whenheisbought,willstaybought。"AsSecretaryofWarheshowednoparticularability。
  In1861,whenthetideofenthusiasmwasinflood,andvolunteersinhostswererespondingtoactsofCongressfortheraisingandmaintenanceofavolunteerarmy,CameronreportedinDecemberthattheGovernmenthadonfoot660,971menandcouldhavehadamillionexceptthatCongresshadlimitedthenumberofvolunteerstobereceived。Whenthisreportwasprepared,Lincolnwas,sotospeak,inthetroughoftwoseas。ThedevotionwhichhadbeenofferedtohiminApril,1861,whentheNorthseemedtoriseasoneman,hadundergoneareaction。Eightmonthswithoutasinglestrikingmilitarysuccess,togetherwiththestartlingdefeatatBullRun,hadhadtheirinevitableeffect。Democraciesaremercurial;variabilityseemstobepartofthepriceoffreedom。
  Withchildlikefaithintheircause,theNorthernpeople,inmidsummer,werecrying,"OntoRichmond!"Intheautumn,stungbydefeat,theywerereadytocry,"DownwithLincoln。"
  Inasubsequentreport,theWarDepartmentconfessedthatatthebeginningofhostilities,"nearlyallourarmsandammunition"
  camefromforeigncountries。Onegreatreasonwhynomilitarysuccessesrelievethegloomof1861wasthat,fromasoldier'spointofview,therewerenoarmies。Soldiers,itistrue,therewereinmyriads;butarms,ammunition,andaboveall,organizationwerelacking。Thesuppliesinthegovernmentarsenalshadbeenprovidedforanarmyofbutafewthousand。
  Striveastheywould,allthefactoriesinthecountrycouldnotcomeanywherenearmakingarmsforhalfamillionmen;nordidthefacilitiesofthosedaysmakeitpossibleformunitionplantstospringupovernight。HaditnotbeenthattheConfederacywasequallyhardpushed,evenharderpushed,tofindarmsandammunition,thewarwouldhaveendedinsideSeward'sninetydays,throughsheerlackofpowder。
  EvenwiththerespitegivenbytheunpreparednessoftheSouth,andwhileLincolnhurriedlycollectedarmsandammunitionfromabroad,thestartlednation,thussuddenlyforcedintoarealizationofwhatwarmeant,lostitshead。Fromitspreviousrecklesstrustinsheerenthusiasm,itreactedtoadistrustofalmosteverything。Whywerethesoldiersnotarmed?Whydidnotmillionsofroundsofcartridgesfalllikemannaoutofthesky?
  Whydidnotthecrowdsofvolunteersbecomearmiesatawordofcommand?OneofthedarkestpagesinAmericanhistoryrecordsthewayinwhichthecrowd,undisciplinedtoendurestrain,turneduponLincolninitsdesiretofindintheconductoftheirleaderapretextforventinguponhimthefiercenessoftheiranxiety。SuchapretexttheyfoundinhistreatmentofFremont。
  ThesingularepisodeofFremont'sarrogancein1861ispartofthestoryoftheborderStateswhosefriendshipwaseagerlysoughtbybothsides——Maryland,Kentucky,Missouri,andthosemountainouscountieswhichintimeweretobecomeWestVirginia。
  ToretainMarylandandthustokeepopentheconnectionbetweentheCapitalandtheNorthwasoneofLincoln'sdeepestanxieties。
  BydegreestheholdoftheGovernmentinMarylandwasmadesecure,andtheStateneverseceded。Kentucky,too,heldtotheUnion,though,duringmanyanxiousmonthsin1861,LincolndidnotknowwhetherthisStatewastobeforhimoragainsthim。
  TheVirginiamountains,fromthefirst,seemedamorehopefulfield,forthemountaineershadopposedtheVirginiasecessionand,assoonasitwasaccomplished,hadbegunholdingmeetingsofprotest。InthemeantimeGeorgeB。McClellan,withtherankofgeneralbestoweduponhimbytheFederalGovernment,hadbeenappointedtocommandthemilitiaofOhio。Hewassenttoassisttheinsurgentmountaineers,andwithhimwenttheOhiomilitia。
  FromthissituationandfromthesmallengagementswithConfederateforcesinwhichMcClellanwassuccessful,thereresultedtheseparateStateofWestVirginiaandtheextravagantpopularnotionthatMcClellanwasagreatgeneral。HissuccesseswerecontrastedintheordinarymindwiththecrushingdefeatatBullRun,whichhappenedataboutthesametime。