Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-10-06
ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS. VICE PRESIDENT
OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMER


OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMER
ICA.
ment and fully recognizing our own
weakness. If Beauregard does not at
tack tonight 1 shall look upon it as
dispensation of Providence. He ought
to do it. Every day strengthens me.
am leaving nothing undone to increase
our force; but the old general (ScotD
always comes in the way. He under
stands nothing, appreciates nothing"
Even on Sunday Little Mac" was in
the saddle from 10 to 5 and was per
secuted" till after midnight seeing the
president, senators and others of the
common people. Yet, busy as he was,
Mcclellan had time to see much OF
Prince Napoleon, Of whom he speaks
often in his letters and whom he finds
an 'intelligent man."
"Scott the Great Obstacle"
These letters throw a revealing light
on the inner nature OF Mcclellan, his
strength and weakness He is an un-
firing worker, for one thing, and is in
spring the army with his own energy.
busy day Started from here at in
the morning and was in the saddle un
til about this evening; rode over the
advanced position on the other side Of
the river, was soundly drenched in
hard rain ard have been busy ever
since my return. Things are improv-
ing daily General Scott is tie great
obstacle. He will not comprehend the
danger. have to fight my way against
him. Tomorrow the question will prob
ably be decided by giving me absolute
control independently of him.
I receive letter after letter have con-
versation after conversation. calling
on me to save the nation, alluding to
the presidency, dictatorship. etc. AS l
hope one day 10 be united with you
Clis wife) forever in heaven, have no
such aspiration / would cheerfully
take the dictatorship and agree to lay
down my life after the country is
saved l met the prince (Na-
poleon) at Alexandria today and came
up with him. He says Beauregards
head is turned"
The generals hope Of being inde-
pendent of Scott was delayed for ten
days. 1t was not until Aug. 90 that he
had his way and the order was given
forming the Army Of the Potomac.
Still Fearing Beauregard.
On Aug. 12 he writes, 'If Beau
regard will give me another week or
ten days 1 will feel quite comfortable
again" On the 18th his mind is still
running on the same theme, for he
says: II am almost tired out; cannot
get one minutes rest during the day,
and sleep with one eye open. looking
out sharply for Beauregard who, 1
think, has some notion of making
dash in this direction. General Scott
is the most dangerous antagonist l
have" The next day it is even worse.
81 am in terrible place." he says.
"The enemy have from three to four
times my force; the president, the old
general, cannot or will not see the true
state of affairs" But that night there
is a rift in the clouds. General Scott
is at last opening his eyes," runs this
letter, to the fact that l am right and
that we are in imminent danger" On
Aug. 1S he is still more hopeful. "If
Beauregard does not attack in two
days he has lost every chance of sue
cess On the 10Th Mcclellan adds,
eff this week passes without battle
and re-enforcements come In / shall
feel that the dangerous point is
turned"
1t is not without interest that the
enemy agreed with this estimate, for
on the very same day, aug. is, the
Richmond Dispatch said that ''ft is
too late to attack Washington" but
advocated later the capture Of Phila-
delphia and New York.