March 28, 1864.
. . . To-day has been mild and cloudy, threatening rain.
Everything is quiet along our lines, but in our camps is a burning desire for
something to be done which will break the monotony prevailing in this vicinity,
and the only fear I entertain is that the General's restlessness, and the
spirit animating the troops will make him commence operations before he is sufficiently
prepared. You know, I believe more
in the infallibility of numbers than in the infallibility of generals, no
matter how great their reputation.
Everything we hold dear as patriots and pride ourselves in
as Americans, is staked more certainly upon the impending campaign than upon
any which has preceded it. We are close upon the beginning of the fourth year
of the war and notwithstanding all our successes in the West and South, our
National Capital is still beleaguered by a formidable and unbroken army of the
enemy. Unless this army of foes is defeated and broken, and our Capital relieved
of its fierce frowns, we cannot hope that the recognition of the rebel
government will be much longer postponed by European Governments, a recognition
which while it would not necessarily precipitate us into a war with the powers
making it, would tend to raise the hopes of our enemy. And worst of all, it
would tend much towards the further prostration of our national finances. In
this view of the case no steps should be taken that would in the least possible
way promise anything less than certain success.
I believe a victory, great and decisive, is within our grasp
— that we have men enough which may be spared from other points, to be brought
here, to increase our numbers to so far beyond those of the enemy, do all he
can, as to ensure victory. In other words, we may in this manner “organize
victory,” and this is the only way to organize it.
General Grant returned this afternoon from Washington much
disgusted with the news from General Banks, who was to have been at Alexandria on
the Red River by the 17th instant, but instead of being there was on the 18th
instant still at New Orleans, while the forces from Sherman had promptly
reached Alexandria in pursuance of orders, but will have to wait there for
weeks for the tardy and I might say immovable Banks. This delay of his may
delay greatly our spring operations.
This proves to me that politicians cannot be soldiers and
entrusted with great and responsible commands. It may, however, be
providential, for it opens the General's eyes to the character of men he has to
command, and fixes in a measure the limit to which he may trust them. Thank God
there are generals whom he knows and can trust implicitly to carry out his
orders, and that promptly. . . .
SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins,
p. 407-8
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