, 1873-06-22

Iaogh, he began at once to search for paperB
and pen. He vas aided in this effort by little
lad who Was present-and, I must sav,
eomeThat troublesome-and toward whom his
father frequently manifested the most anxious
and conslderate affection. He found piece Of
paper with some difficulty on the table Uttered
with documents lying in complete diBorder), and
very poor pen, with which he at once set to
work.
The draft which he made was quite satisfac-
tory. 1t Fas brief, clear, and precise it stated
the caso. truly, revoked the sentence of the
court, and gave correspondent the privilege Of
we're delighted with the document, and, Of
"Bnt," said the President. II had. better
make this conditional on the approval Of Gen.
Grant. You see it would not seem right for me
to send back q correspondent to the Generals
headquarters in cnse he knew Of any roason Why
tho man should not be there. I will just add 3
few Words;" aud so he did, making the order
close as follows: "And to romain if Gen.
Grant shall giye his express assent; and TO
refuse said ASSENT
"There," he remarked, II think that will be
about right. and 7 have no doubt Gen. Grant
will assent" And 80 he did,
It was useless to contend further With this
firm but flexible will, which always gave you an
impression that it WIS about to yield, but which,
when once resolved, WAS absolutely immoyable.
The document thus prepared was, in fact,
:. may msa9 S31'F 7ee0fa eoa Of wondered d,s
ence. He had not called in the aid OF any OF
his Secretaries and I afterward inquired OF Mr.
Nicolay it any record Of it had been made. He
eaid not, and Was even ignorant Of its existence
and added feeling remark on the Presidents
official habits, which were reckless OF all order,
and gave his Secretaries no end Of trouble.
This affair concluded, the President seemed
disposed to prolong the interview. Our conver-
satlon took military direction, and embraced
&t- &r f~t-r 14
known to be in contemplation. Mr. Lincoln
seemed pleased to discuss the war in fact, the
informal nature OF our conversation was re-
Lief to his mind ovarworked end jaded as he
which he WAS daily subjected. Presently he
startled us by declaring be saw no hope OF sue
cess for any Of the campaigns now being
opened.
Having gone thus far, aud seeing our surprise
and perpleuty, he seemed animated by desire
to justify his statement. Going to the wall, and
again taking down the largo map which he had
pressed into service on the previous occasion, he
proceeded to inform us, which NC did not posi-
lively know before, that there wero now three
forces toward points against which our
efforta had previously proved unsuc-
cessful One OF these, he said, was against
Richmond, on the same general plan substan-
tally attempted BY Burnside; one aS9inss
md naval forces; and one against Vicksburg, by
way Of the Yazoo Pass and the network Of
bayous and small streams By which the Missis-
sippi is fanked, and through some Of which it
was hoped to transfer Gen. Grants forces to
point from which successful assault might be
made on that great stronghold, which had thus
far defed our most determined attacks.
"And cannot see how either Of these plans
can succeed" said he; and, forthwith throwing
apparent f1ankness as though conyersing with
his confidential advisors, he freely criticised the
conduct Of the campaigns in question, going into
all the details Of military argument ano 10
eY aann bs fdd IL IN ba that ssex
against Vicksburg, that Hooker would fail
to reach Richmond, and that Du Pont
and Hunter would be compelled to retire
member the reasons he gave for his Judgment in
regard to the two movements last named, but I
recollect veil his clear description Of the narrow
and winding Uater-courses through which Grant
WAS endeavoring to conduct his gunboats, gen
too high Or low water, and capable Of fatal o.
struction in the forests which they penetrate, by
an enemy intimately acquainted with every fea-
tuTe OF the country, ard who had only proved
himself too well informed Of all our movements,
and equally active and successful in opposing
our progresa into his own country.
It was known that Mr. Lincoln entertained
military opinions quite Independent Of and often
ut variance with those Of his advisers :; and had
OE1QI6 0Au Il 6L1EluK pIuQ4 tk tuC |4cCtu6a9 VI
his judgment I confess, however, that WAS as
much astonished IS dishea1tened by this un-
reserved condemnation OF the conduct Of the war
on the part Of the Government Of which he was
the head and scarcely knew whether I was
most astonished by his remarkable frAnkness or
annoyed At his convincing argument: said:
- II you feel 80 confident OF disaster IN all
these movements. Mr. President, why do you
permit them to be made :
g Because cannot prevent 1t, he replied.
nr~+ 9rrnr mia fi,IAf I
-. "My dear SIR, he replied, am az power
less ~ any private citizen to shape the military
plans of the Government. I have my generals
and my War Department, and my subordinates
supposed to be moTe capable fhan am TO
dertaken. I have once or twice attempted
found 70 ~ Il that il ~" vas imapracti-
cable to do 30. I see campaigns undertaken in
rent them and tell you that sometimes, when
reflect on the management OF our forces, am
tempted to despair my heart goes clear down
into my boots.''
With this characteristic climax he practically |
closed the discussion. Rising from his chair he
shake OF some feeling chat oppressed him. Sud
denly he seemed to realize that he had been
speaking too freely.
"Of COURSE gentlemen" said he, I've are
talking in confidence, and as friends. None OF !
Ibis must get into print, or be repeated"
We took our leave soon sitter, but l Was long I
haunted with the recollection Of what had |
heard. . My admiration for the man and his high |
moral and intellectual qualities we're Increased,
Ind my confidence in our military chioftains. |
never very high previously, was proportionately !
As before, the events justified his |
prediction. Our attacking forces we're beaten I
of from Charleston the Army Of the Potomac !
Bas hurled back upon the north at Chancellors- |
Grn0t and Porter fFera cOnnleteIY |