March 25, 1864.
. . . To-day has been unusually stormy; we have had both at
once and also in turns rain and snow. I have not ventured out, but in the
resolve to regain my health, have remained quietly in doors, and shall continue
to so remain except when the weather is favorable to my going out, unless the
necessity for doing otherwise shall be very great.
General Grant is fully installed in his new command of all
the armies of the United States, and from the ring of his orders and the
attention he is giving to the concentration of his forces at points where they
may be available for cooperative action, I have greater hopes than ever for the
triumph of our arms in the coming campaign. The order breaking up two of the
army corps of this army and attaching them to others, I spoke of in my letter
of the 23rd, seems to be as satisfactorily received as could be expected,
and will, I have great hopes, strengthen the army very considerably. Three
corps, of which this army is now composed, will be more easily handled than
five. The danger of making the change was, as I mentioned, in the
dissatisfaction it might produce. Such danger is not now apprehended. General
Meade was here to-day. He is delighted with General Grant's establishing his
headquarters with the Army of the Potomac.
He believes in the ability of his army to cope successfully
with that of Lee, and this is the proper spirit for the attainment of the
desired end, namely, victory and Richmond. With the feeling of confidence this
produces, this entire army and the dispositions of other troops which I am sure
General Grant can and will make, I have the highest hopes of success and that
too “ere many moons wax and wane.”
Our horses and baggage will arrive to-morrow afternoon. They
are now at Washington. No review of the troops has yet taken place, nor will
one take place. The General will see them in line simply, in front of or near
their corps encampments. This will be far better than a grand parade and
review, too many of which have already been had on the crimson soil of
Virginia. We are here to try for the successes that were ours to enjoy in the
West, and if the same Good Providence that gave us victories there, does not
frown upon us here, the country will soon witness the dawning of the Day of
Peace. . . .
SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins,
p. 404-5
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