Went to Department soon after nine, stopping at Franklin's
to buy glasses. Got a pair, not, I fear, exactly the best for me. Received
letters from John Sherman, O. Follett, Horace Greeley, and others. Greeley's
assured me that the “Tribune” had no interest in the Labor Contract, which I
was very glad to learn. — Called on Attorney-General about citizenship of
colored men. Found him adverse to expressing official opinion. — Met Eliot and
Tabor, Mayor of New Bedford, and invited them to dine with me. — Commenced
letter to Greeley; when I was reminded of my promise to accompany Mr. Case to
the President's. Went with him. Found Eliot and Tabor in ante-chamber. Went in
and found Blair with the President discussing affairs. Told him of the
gentlemen outside, and was permitted to bring them in. Did so. Introduced Case,
who shoke hands, and we two came away.
Parted from Case at Department. Finished letter to Greeley,
and wrote Judge Mason about Rodney, promising to do what I could for trial.
Several callers — among them Col. Lloyd of Ohio Cavalry, and Col. Mason of Ohio
Infantry, with two Captains. Lloyd said that the cavalry was very badly used;
that forage was insufficient and irregular, and needlessly wasted; that
sometimes a squadron, company or regiment was ordered out early in the morning,
and left all day without any further orders. Pope he said, had nominally about
2,000 cavalry when he went South, and when he returned had not 500 fit for
service. Sometimes the cavalry was ordered to march, when five or six horses in
a Company would die from sheer exhaustion. Artillery horses better cared for.
Lloyd desired Mason to be made Brigadier-General. Promised to make inquiries,
and, if found all right, promote object.
Mr. Wetmore called about Cotton and Tobacco. Proposed that
Government should take all Cotton at 20 cents and tobacco at —— cents — pay
this price — send it to New York — sell it for Gold — keep account with each
owner, and, at the end of the war, pay him the difference, if loyal. The idea
struck me very favorably, and I promised to see him again tomorrow.
Weed called and we had a long talk. He expressed again his
conviction that more decided measures are needed in an Anti-Slavery direction;
and said there was much dissatisfaction with Seward in New York because he is
supposed to be averse to such measures. I told him, I did not doubt Mr. Seward's
fidelity to his ideas of progress, amelioration and freedom; but that I thought
he adhered too tenaciously to men who proved themselves unworthy and dangerous,
such as McClellan; that he resisted too persistently decided measures; that his
influence encouraged the irresolution and inaction of the President in respect
to men and measures, although personally he was as decided as anybody in favor
of vigorous prosecution of the war, and as active as anybody in concerting
plans of action against the rebels. Mr. Weed admitted that there was much
justice in my views, and said he had expressed similar ideas to Mr. Seward
himself. He said he would see him again, and that Seward and I must agree on a
definite line, especially on the Slavery question, which we must recommend to
the President. We talked a good deal about our matters — about the absence of
proper Cabinet discussion of important subjects — about Tax appointments in New
York, with which he is well satisfied, etc., etc.
Went to War Department between 3 and 4, and saw telegrams of
McClellan. They state that the action of yesterday resulted in a decided
success — that the enemy driven from Mountain Crest, did not renew the action
this morning but retreated in disorder — that Lee confessed himself “shockingly
whipped”, with loss of 15,000 men, killed, wounded, missing and prisoners — that
he has 700 prisoners at Frederick, and that 1000 have been taken by Hooker and
held — that he proposed pursuit as rapidly as possible — that Franklin on the
right in advance towards Harpers Ferry, had succeeded as well as the troops on
the right. News from the West also good. Nothing from Miles at Harpers Ferry
but it is believed that he still holds out.
Returned to the Department, closed the business of the day, and went home. Eliot, Tabor and
Harrington dined with me. After dinner, rode with Harrington. Stopped at Mr.
Cutts, to inquire for Mrs. Douglas — glad to hear she was better. Stopped also
at War Department. No further news. Stanton thinks Halleck begins to realize
his mistake. Said he intended to make Birney Major-General, but Halleck (or
rather McClellan) had designated Stoneman. Told him that Birney had sent his
letter of resignation to me, but I had declined to present it. Nothing new from
the army, except report from operator at Point of Rocks of firing apparently
between that place and Harpers Ferry, — which may indicate Franklin or Miles in
that position. Nothing from McClellan since noon.
Dropped Harrington at Ebbit House, and called on General
Schenck at Willards. Helped dress his wound which looked very bad, but the
surgeons say he is improving rapidly and will be able to sit up in two or three
days. His daughter is with him, and most assiduous and devoted.
Home. Friend Butler and Benedict called wishing to be
introduced to the President, in order to present petition for exemption of
society from draft. Promised to go with them, or write note, tomorrow morning. —
Gov. Boutwell called and we talked of Tax Law, Stamp distribution, etc.
SOURCE: Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 82-4
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