Late last night the President told General Scott to send
Captain Taylor back to the Confederate lines, and he was accordingly escorted
to Arlington in a carriage, and thence returned without any answer to Mr.
Davis's letter, the nature of which has not transpired.
A swarm of newspaper correspondents has settled down upon
Washington, and great are the glorifications of the high-toned paymasters,
gallant doctors, and subalterns accomplished in the art of war, who furnish
minute items to my American brethren, and provide the yeast which overflows in
many columns; but the Government experience the inconvenience of the smallest
movements being chronicled for the use of the enemy, who, by putting one thing
and another together, are no doubt enabled to collect much valuable
information. Every preparation is being made to put the army on & war
footing, to provide them with shoes, ammunition wagons, and horses.
I had the honor of dining with General Scott, who has moved
to new quarters, near the War Department, and met General Fremont, who is
designated, according to rumor, to take command of an important district in the
West, and to clear the right bank of the Mississippi and the course of the
Missouri. “The Pathfinder” is a strong Republican and Abolitionist, whom the
Germans delight to honor, — a man with a dreamy, deep blue eye, a gentlemanly
address, pleasant features, and an active frame, but without the smallest
external indication of extraordinary vigor, intelligence, or ability; if he has
military genius, it must come by intuition, for assuredly he has no
professional acquirements or experience. Two or three members of Congress, and
the General's staff, and Mr. Bigelow, completed the company. The General has
become visibly weaker since I first saw him. He walks down to his office, close
at hand, with difficulty; returns a short time before dinner, and reposes; and
when he has dismissed his guests at an early hour, or even before he does so,
stretches himself on his bed, and then before midnight rouses himself to look
at despatches or to transact any necessary business. In case of an action it is
his intention to proceed to the field in a light carriage, which is always
ready for the purpose, with horses and driver; nor is he unprepared with
precedents of great military commanders who have successfully conducted
engagements under similar circumstances.
Although the discussion of-military questions and of
politics was eschewed, incidental allusions were made to matters going on
around us, and I thought I could perceive that the General regarded the
situation with much more apprehension than the politicians, and that his
influence extended itself to the views of his staff. General Fremont's tone was
much more confident.. Nothing has become known respecting the nature of Mr.
Davis's communication to President Lincoln, but the fact of his sending it at
all is looked upon as a piece of monstrous impertinence. The General is annoyed
and distressed by the plundering propensities of the Federal troops, who have
been committing terrible depredations on the people of Virginia. It is not to
be supposed, however, that the Germans, who have entered upon this campaign as
mercenaries, will desist from so profitable and interesting a pursuit as the
detection of Secesh sentiments, chickens, watches, horses, and dollars. I mentioned
that I had seen some farm-houses completely sacked close to the aqueduct. The
General merely said, “It is deplorable!” and raised up his hands as if in
disgust. General Fremont, however, said, “I suppose you are familiar with
similar scenes in Europe. I hear the allies were not very particular with
respect to private property in Russia” —
a remark which unfortunately could not be gainsaid. As I was leaving the
General's quarters, Mr. Blair, accompanied by the President, who was looking
more anxious than I had yet seen him, drove up, and passed through a crowd of
soldiers, who had evidently been enjoying themselves. One of them called out, “Three
cheers for General Scott!” and I am apt quite sure the President did not join
him.
SOURCE: William Howard Russell, My Diary North and
South, Vol. 1, p. 397-8
