Camp Brightwood, June 5, 1863.
I do not see what you and Mr. Child find to be so hopeful
about, — I see no evidence of yielding on their part, and no evidence of
greater vigour on ours; we are again on the defensive as we were last August, —
are again idle for want of troops, — and Lee will again be in Maryland without
a doubt. I do not think this at all a hopeless state of things, but I see no
prospect of any immediate end, which, I suppose, is what you are looking for.1
The people are of a more resolute temper than at this time last year, but, on
the other hand, party lines are drawing more distinctly, and I should not be
surprised to see exhibitions of disloyalty in some of our Northern cities;
these will be put down, and in the end the Government will be the stronger for
them, but meanwhile may not military operation be embarrassed and perhaps
postponed? Do you remember, Mother, how soon another Presidential canvass is
coming round? I seriously fear that that, too, will be allowed to delay
very vigorous operations, — and all this time the South is growing stronger. However,
we may get Vicksburg, and may cripple Lee, if he comes into
Maryland. I think we are altogether too apt to forget the general aspect of
affairs and regard single events as of entire importance: this makes any
predictions useless, — it would operate for us in case of success as it
has hitherto operated against us: but so far from feeling hopeful, I am
sometimes inclined to believe that we are going to see a change: that whereas
we have had few victories, but have been on the whole successful, we are
now going to gain victories and find them comparatively useless.
_______________
1 Professor Francis J. Child, the accomplished
and genial scholar, Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory, later of
English, at Harvard College, and remembered by his admirable editing of English
and Scottish Ballads, was an ardent and useful patriot. His spirited
collection, War Songs for Freemen, set to stirring tunes, were sung in
the college yard by youths, many of whom soon left their studies for the front.
This letter shows surprising foresight in Lowell. Lee's
invasion began immediately afterward, was checked at Gettysburg, and Vicksburg
fell before Grant; but within a week draft riots in Boston and New York,
dangerous and bloody, broke out and were sternly suppressed. In spite of the
defeats, the Rebel power was not broken. The Presidential election was a great
victory, and England did not dare to aid the Confederates; yet the war dragged
slowly until Grant's advance on Richmond began, in May. In spite of his siege
of Richmond, Washington was again endangered in July, 1864, and Maryland and
Pennsylvania threatened by Early even later.
SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of
Charles Russell Lowell, p. 253-5
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