At home to favor foot. Much better in the afternoon, and
rode over to Insane Asylum to see Hooker. Was glad to find him much improved.
He said we had plenty of good officers, and that all the courage, ability and
genius we needed could be found among our Volunteer Colonels. He then said that
an aide of McClellan's had been down to see him with an inquiry as to how soon
he would be able to take the field, and expressing his confidence with hints of
important command of army moving from Washington. He expressed the belief that
no decisive victory would be achieved so long as McClellan had command.
Before starting on this visit, John A. Stevens, Jr., called
wishing me to see Col. Hamilton about Texas;1 and I asked him to
bring him to dinner. Accordingly both came. Secretary Stanton also, by
accident, and Mr. Montgomery, by Katie's invitation. After dinner, Col.
Hamilton spoke fully of Texas — described his escape and hiding in the woods — said
that many hundred loyal Texans were now concealed in Texas as refugees — declared
that the War was a war of the oligarchy upon the people — that Slavery was the
basis of the oligarchy, but that the perpetuation of slavery was not more their
object, than the despotic power of the class over the mass. I entered fully
into his feelings; and promised to go with him to the President's tomorrow.
After he went, Gov. Morton came in and spoke very earnestly
of the condition of matters in Indiana. Apprehends State defeat on the 14th,
and loss of all the Congressional Districts except Julian's, Colfax's, and
perhaps Shank's. Wants Indiana Regiments in the State furloughed so that they
can vote. Thinks Buell utterly unfit for command of the great army under him — is
slow, opposed to the Proclamation, and has bad influence every way. Wishes me
to go with him to President's about the regiments, which I promised to do
tomorrow.
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1 Andrew Jackson Hamilton, 1815-1875. G. S.
Denison gives an account of him in his letter of September 19, 1862, p. 314.
SOURCE: Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 100-1
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