The army is still at rest. Halleck stays here in Washington,
within four hours of the army, smoking his cigar, doing as little as the army.
If he gives orders for an onward movement and is not obeyed, why does he not
remove to headquarters in the field? If this army is permitted to escape across
the Potomac, woe be to those who permit it!
The forces which were on the Pamunkey have been ordered up
and are passing through Baltimore to the great army, which is already too
large, four times as large as the Rebels, who have been driven on to the banks
of the Potomac, and are waiting for the river to fall, so that they can get
back into Virginia without being captured or molested, — and Meade is waiting
to have them. Drive them back, is Halleck's policy.
Wrote a congratulatory letter to Porter on the fall of
Vicksburg. Called on the President and advised that Porter should be made a
rear-admiral. He assented very cheerfully, though his estimate of Porter is not
so high as mine. Stanton denies him any merit; speaks of him as a gas-bag, who
makes a great fuss and claims credit that belongs to others. Chase, Seward, and
Blair agree with me that Porter has done good service. I am aware of his
infirmities. He is selfish, presuming, and wasteful, but is brave and
energetic.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 368-9
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