第14章

AtLouisvilletheministrationisbyblackmen，“boundtolabor。“

Thedifferenceinthecomfortisverygreat。Thewhiteservantsarenoisy，dirty，forgetful，indifferent，andsometimesimpudent。Thenegroesaretheveryreverseofallthis；youcannothurrythem；butinallotherrespects——andperhapseveninthatrespectalso——theyaregoodservants。Thisistheworkforwhichtheyseemtohavebeenintended。Butneverthelesswheretheyare，lifeandenergyseemtolanguish，andprosperitycannotmakeanytrueadvance。Theyaresymbolsoftheluxuryofthewhitemenwhoemploythem，andassucharesignsofdecayandemblemsofdecreasingpower。Theyaregoodlaborersthemselves，buttheirverypresencemakeslabordishonorable。ThatKentuckywillspeedilyridherselfoftheinstitution，Ibelievefirmly。Whenshehassodone，thecommercialcityofthatStatemayperhapsgoaheadagainlikehersisters。

AtthisverytimetheFederalarmywascommencingthatseriesofactivemovementsinKentucky，andthroughTennessee，whichledtosuchimportantresults，andgavetotheNorththefirstsolidvictorieswhichtheyhadgainedsincethecontestbegan。OnthenineteenthofJanuary，onewingofGeneralBuell\'sarmy，underGeneralThomas，haddefeatedthesecessionistsnearSomerset，inthesoutheasterndistrictofKentucky，underGeneralZollicoffer，whowastherekilled。ButinthatactiontheattackwasmadebyZollicofferandthesecessionists。WhenwewereatLouisvilleweheardofthesuccessofthatgun-boatexpeditionuptheTennesseeriverbywhichFortHenrywastaken。FortHenryhadbeenbuiltbytheConfederatesontheTennessee，exactlyontheconfinesoftheStatesofTennesseeandKentucky。Theyhadalsoanotherfort，FortDonelson，ontheCumberlandRiver，whichatthatpointrunsparalleltotheTennessee，andistheredistantfromitbutaveryfewmiles。

BoththeseriversrunintotheOhio。Nashville，whichisthecapitalofTennessee，ishigherupontheCumberland；anditwasnowintendedtosendthegun-boatsdowntheTennesseebackintotheOhio，andthenceuptheCumberland，theretoattackFortDonelson，andafterwardtoassistGeneralBuell\'sarmyinmakingitswaydowntoNashville。Thegun-boatswereattachedtoGeneralHalleck\'sarmy，andreceivedtheirdirectionsfromSt。Louis。GeneralBuell\'sheadquarterswereatLouisville，andhisadvancedpositionwasontheGreenRiver，onthelineoftherailwayfromLouisvilletoNashville。ThesecessionistshaddestroyedtherailwaybridgeovertheGreenRiver，andwerenowlyingatBowlingGreen，betweentheGreenRiverandNashville。Thisplaceitwasunderstoodthattheyhadfortified。

MatterswereinthispositionwhenwegotamilitarypasstogodownbytherailwaytothearmyontheGreenRiver，fortherailwaywasopentonoonewithoutamilitarypass；andwestarted，trustingthatProvidencewouldsupplyuswithrationsandquarters。AnofficerattachedtoGeneralBuell\'sstaff，withwhomhoweverouracquaintancewasoftheveryslightest，hadtelegrapheddowntosaythatwewerecoming。IcannotsaythatIexpectedmuchfromthemessage，seeingthatitsimplyamountedtoaverythinintroductiontoageneralofficertowhomwewerestrangersevenbyname，fromagentlemantowhomwehadbroughtanotefromanothergentlemanwhoseacquaintancewehadchancedtopickupontheroad。Wemanifestlyhadnorighttoexpectmuch；buttous，expectingverylittle，verymuchwasgiven。GeneralJohnsonwastheofficertowhosecarewewereconfided，hebeingabrigadierunderGeneralMcCook，whocommandedtheadvance。Weweremetbyanaid-de-campandsaddle-

horses，andsoonfoundourselvesinthegeneral\'stent，orratherinashantyformedofsoliduprightwoodenlogs，drivenintothegroundwiththebarkstillon，andhavingtheintersticesfilledinwithclay。Thiswasroofedwithcanvas，andaltogethermadeaveryeligiblemilitaryresidence。Thegeneralsleptinabigbox，aboutninefeetlongandfourbroad，whichoccupiedoneendoftheshanty，andheseemedinallhisfixingstobeascomfortablyputupasanygentlemanmightbewhenoutonsuchapicnicasthis。Wearrivedintimefordinner，whichwasbroughtin，tableandall，bytwonegroes。Thepartywasmadeupbyadoctor，whocarved，andtwoofthestaff，andaverynicedinnerwehad。Inhalfanhourwewereintimatewiththewholeparty，andasfamiliarwiththethingsaroundusasthoughwehadbeenlivingintentsallourlives。

Indeed，IhadbythistimebeensoofteninthetentsoftheNorthernarmy，thatIalmostfeltentitledtomakemyselfathome。

IthasseemedtomethatanEnglishmanhasalwaysbeenmadewelcomeinthesecamps。TherehasbeenandisatthismomentaterriblybitterfeelingamongAmericansagainstEngland，andIhaveheardthisexpressedquiteasloudlybymeninthearmyasbycivilians；

butIthinkImaysaythatthishasneverbeenbroughttobearuponindividualintercourse。Certainlywehavesaidsomeverysharpthingsofthem——wordswhich，whethertrueorfalse，whetherdeservedorundeserved，musthavebeenoffensivetothem。Ihaveknownthisfeelingofoffensetoamountalmosttoanagonyofanger。ButneverthelessIhaveneverseenanyfallingoffinthehospitalityandcourtesygenerallyshownbyacivilizedpeopletopassingvisitors，IhavearguedthematterofEngland\'scoursethroughoutthewar，tillIhavebeenhoarsewithasseveratingtherectitudeofherconductandhernationalunselfishness。Ihavemetverystrongopponentsonthesubject，andhavebeencoercedintoloudstrainsofvoice；butIneveryetmetoneAmericanwhowaspersonallyunciviltomeasanEnglishman，orwhoseemedtobemadepersonallyangrybymyremarks。IfoundnocoldnessinthathospitalitytowhichasastrangerIwasentitled，becauseofthenationalillfeelingwhichcircumstanceshaveengendered。AndwhileonthissubjectIwillremarkthat，whentraveling，IhavefounditexpedienttoletthosewithwhomImightchancetotalkknowatoncethatIwasanEnglishman。Infaultofsuchknowledgethingswouldbesaidwhichcouldnotbutbedisagreeabletome；butnotevenfromanyroughWesternenthusiastinarailwaycarriagehaveIeverheardawordspokeninsolentlytoEngland，afterIhadmademynationalityknown。

IhavelearnedthatWellingtonwasbeatenatWaterloo；thatLordPalmerstonwassounpopularthathecouldnotwalkaloneinthestreets；thattheHouseofCommonswasanacknowledgedfailure；thatstarvationwasthenormalconditionoftheBritishpeople，andthatthequeenwasablood-thirstytyrant。ButtheseassertionswerenotmadewiththeintentionthattheyshouldbeheardbyanEnglishman。

Tousasanationtheyareatthepresentmomentunjustalmostbeyondbelief；butIdonotthinkthatthefeelinghasevertakentheguiseofpersonaldiscourtesy。

WespenttwodaysinthecampcloseupontheGreenRiver，andIdonotknowthatIenjoyedanydaysofmytripmorethoroughlythanI

didthese。Intruth，forthelastmonthsinceIhadleftWashington，mylifehadnotbeenoneofenjoyment。Ihadbeenrollinginmudandhadbeendampwithfilth。CampWood，astheycalledthismilitarysettlementontheGreenRiver，wasalsomuddy；

butwewereexcellentlywellmounted；theweatherwasverycold，butpeculiarlyfine，andthesoldiersaroundus，asfaraswecouldjudge，seemedtobebetteroffinallrespectsthanthosewehadvisitedatSt。Louis，atRolla，oratCairo。Theywereallintents，andseemedtobelight-spiritedandhappy。Theirrationswereexcellent；butsomuchmay，Ithink，besaidofthewholeNorthernarmy，fromAlexandriaonthePotomactoSpringfieldinthewestofMissouri。TherewasverylittleillnessatthattimeinthecampinKentucky，andthereportsmadetousledustothinkthatonthewholethishadbeenthemosthealthydivisionofthearmy。Themen，moreover，werelessmuddythantheirbrethreneithereastorwestofthem——atanyratethismaybesaidofthemasregardstheinfantry。

Butperhapsthegreatestcharmoftheplacetomewasthebeautyofthescenery。TheGreenRiveratthisspotisaspicturesqueastreamasIeverremembertohaveseeninsuchacountry。Itlieslowdownbetweenhighbanks，andcurveshitherandthither，neverkeepingastraightline。Itsbanksarewooded；butnot，asissocommoninAmerica，bycontinuous，stunted，uninterestingforest，butbylargesingletreesstandingonsmallpatchesofmeadowbythewaterside，withthehighbanksrisingoverthem，withgladesthroughthemopenforthehorseman。Therideshereinsummermustbeverylovely。Eveninwintertheywereso，andmademeinlovewiththeplaceinspiteofthatbrown，dull，barrenaspectwhichthepresenceofanarmyalwayscreates。IhavesaidthattherailwaybridgewhichcrossedtheGreenRiveratthisspothadbeendestroyedbythesecessionists。Thishadbeendoneeffectuallyasregardedthepassageoftrains，butonlyinpartasregardedtheabsolutefabricofthebridge。Ithadbeen，andstillwaswhenIsawit，abeautifullylightconstruction，madeofironandsupportedoveravalley，ratherthanoverariver，ontallstonepiers。Oneofthesepiershadbeenblownup；butwhenwewerethere，thebridgehadbeenrepairedwithbeamsandwoodenshafts。Thishadjustbeencompleted，andanenginehadpassedoverit。Imustconfessthatitlookedtomemostperilouslyinsecure；buttheeyeuneducatedinsuchmysteriesisabadjudgeofengineeringwork。Ipassedwithahorsebackwardandforwardonit，anditdidnottumbledownthen；

butIconfessthatonthefirstattemptIwasgladenoughtoleadthehorsebythebridle。

Thatbridgewascertainlyabeautifulfabric，andbuiltinamostlovelyspot。Immediatelyunderittherewasalsoapontoonbridge。

ThetentsofGeneralMcCook\'sdivisionwereimmediatelyatthenorthernendofit，andthewholeplacewasalivewithsoldiers，nailingdownplanks，pullinguptemporaryrailsateachside，carryingoverstrawforthehorses，andpreparingforthegeneraladvanceofthetroops。Itwasagloriousday。Therehadbeenheavyfrostatnight；buttheairwasdry，andthesunthoughcoldwasbright。IdonotknowwhenIsawaprettierpicture。Itwouldperhapshavebeennothingwithoutthelovelinessoftheriverscenery；butthewindingofthestreamatthespot，thesharpwoodedhillsoneachside，theforestopenings，andthebusy，eager，strangelifetogetherfilledtheplacewithnocommoninterest。Theofficersofthearmyatthespotspokewithbitterestcondemnationofthevandalismoftheirenemyindestroyingthebridge。ThejusticeoftheindignationIventuredverystronglytoquestion。

“Surelyyouwouldhavedestroyedtheirbridge？“Isaid。“Buttheyarerebels，“wastheanswer。Ithasbeensothroughoutthecontest；

andthesameargumenthasbeenheldbysoldiersandbynon-soldiers——

bywomenandbymen。“Grantthattheyarerebels，“Ihaveanswered。“Butwhenrebelsfighttheycannotbeexpectedtobemorescrupulousintheirmodeofdoingsothantheirenemieswhoarenotrebels。“ThewholepopulationoftheNorthhasfromthebeginningofthiswarconsideredthemselvesentitledtoalltheprivilegesofbelligerents；buthavecalledtheirenemiesGothsandVandalsforevenclaimingthoseprivilegesforthemselves。ThesamefeelingwasatthebottomoftheiranimosityagainstEngland。BecausetheSouthwasinrebellion，EnglandshouldhaveconsentedtoallowtheNorthtoassumealltherightsofabelligerent，andshouldhavedeniedallthoserightstotheSouth！Nobodyhasseemedtounderstandthatanyprivilegewhichabelligerentcanclaimmustdependontheveryfactofhisbeinginencounterwithsomeotherpartyhavingthesameprivilege。OurpresshasanimadvertedverystronglyontheStatesgovernmentfortheapparentuntruthfulnessoftheirargumentsonthismatter；butIprofessthatIbelievethatMr。Sewardandhiscolleagues——andnottheyonlybutthewholenation——havesothoroughlydeceivedthemselvesonthissubject，havesotalkedandspeechifiedthemselvesintoamisunderstandingofthematter，thattheyhavetaughtthemselvestothinkthatthemenoftheSouthcouldbeentitledtonoconsiderationfromanyquarter。TohaverebelledagainstthestarsandstripesseemstoaNorthernmantobeacrimeputtingthecriminalaltogetheroutofallcourts——acrimewhichshouldhavearmedthehandsofallmenagainsthim，asthehandsofallmenarearmedatadogthatismad，oratigerthathasescapedfromitskeeper。Itissingularthatsuchapeople，apeoplethathasfoundeditselfonrebellion，shouldhavesuchahorrorofrebellion；but，asfarasmyobservationmayhaveenabledmetoreadtheirfeelingsrightly，Idobelievethatithasbeenassincereasitisirrational。

Wewereoutridingearlyonthemorningoftheseconddayofoursojourninthecamp，andmetthedivisionofGeneralMitchell，adetachmentofGeneralBuell\'sarmy，whichhadbeenincampbetweentheGreenRiverandLouisville，goingforwardtothebridgewhichwasthenbeingpreparedfortheirpassage。Thisdivisionconsistedofabout12，000men，andtheroadwascrowdedthroughoutthewholedaywiththemandtheirwagons。Wefirstpassedaregimentofcavalry，whichappearedtobeendless。Theircavalryregimentsare，ingeneral，morenumerousthanthoseoftheinfantry，andonthisoccasionwesaw，Ibelieve，about1200menpassbyus。Theirhorseswerestrongandserviceable，andthemenwerestoutandingoodhealth；butthegeneralappearanceofeverythingaboutthemwasroughanddirty。TheAmericancavalryhavealwayslookedtomelikebrigands。Apartyofthemwould，Ithink，makeabetterpicturethananequalnumberofourdragoons；butiftheyaretoberegardedinanyotherviewthanthatofthepicturesque，itdoesnotseemtomethattheyhavebeengotupsuccessfully。Onthisoccasiontheywereformingthemselvesintoapictureformybehoof，andasthepicturewas，asapicture，verygood，Iatleasthavenoreasontocomplain。

WeweretakentoseeoneGermanregiment，aregimentofwhichalltheprivateswereGermanandalltheofficerssaveone——Ithinkthesurgeon。Wesawthemenintheirtents，andthefoodwhichtheyeat，andweredisposedtothinkthathithertothingsweregoingwellwiththem。Intheeveningthecolonelandlieutenant-colonel，bothofwhomhadbeeninthePrussianservice，ifIrememberrightly，cameuptothegeneral\'squarters，andwespenttheeveningtogetherinsmokingcigarsanddiscussingslaveryroundthestove。Ishallneverforgetthatnight，orthevehementabolitionenthusiasmofthetwoGermancolonels。Ourhosthadtoldusthathewasaslaveowner；

andasourwantsweresuppliedbytwosableministers，Iconcludedthathehadbroughtwithhimaportionofhisdomesticinstitution。

UndersuchcircumstancesImyselfshouldhaveavoidedsuchasubject，havingbeentaughttobelievethatSoutherngentlemendidnotgenerallytakedelightinopendiscussionsonthesubject。ButhadwebeenarguingthequestionofthepopulationoftheplanetJupiter，orthefinalpossibilityofthetransmutationofmetals，themattercouldnothavebeenhandledwithlesspersonalfeeling。

TheGermans，however，spokethesentimentsofalltheGermansoftheWesternStates——thatis，ofalltheProtestantGermans，andtothemisconfinedthepoliticalinfluenceheldbytheGermanimmigrants。

Theyallregardslaveryasanevil，holdingonthematteropinionsquiteasstrongasourshaveeverbeen。Andtheyarguethatasslaveryisanevil，itshouldthereforebeabolishedatonce。Theiropinionsareasstrongasourshaveeverbeen，andtheyhavenothadourWestIndianexperience。AnyonedesiringtounderstandthepresentpoliticalpositionoftheStatesshouldrealizethefactofthepresentGermaninfluenceonpoliticalquestions。ManysaythatthepresentPresidentwasreturnedbyGermanvoters。Inonesensethisistrue，forhecertainlycouldnothavebeenreturnedwithoutthem；butforthem，orfortheirassistance，Mr。BreckinridgewouldhavebeenPresident，andthiscivilwarwouldnothavecometopass。

AsabolitioniststheyaremuchmorepowerfulthantheRepublicansofNewEngland，andalsomoreinearnest。InNewEnglandthematterisdiscussedpolitically；inthegreatWesterntowns，wheretheGermanscongregatebythousands，theyprofesstoviewitphilosophically。A

man，asaman，isentitledtofreedom。Thatistheirargument，anditisaveryoldone。Whenyouaskthemwhattheywouldproposetodowith4，000，000ofenfranchisedslavesandwiththeirruinedmasters，howtheywouldmanagetheaffairsofthose12，000，000ofpeople，allwhosewealthandworkandverylifehavehithertobeenhingedandhunguponslavery，theyagainaskyouwhetherslaveryisnotinitselfbad，andwhetheranythingacknowledgedtobebadshouldbeallowedtoremain。

ButtheAmericanGermansareinearnest，andIamstronglyofopinionthattheywillsofarhavetheirway，thatthecountrywhichforthefuturewillbetheircountrywillexistwithoutthetaintofslavery。IntheNorthernnationality，whichwillreformitselfafterthiswarisover，therewill，Ithink，benoslaveState。

Thatfinalbattleofabolitionwillhavetobefoughtamongapeopleapart，andImustfearthatwhileitlaststheirnationalprosperitywillnotbegreat。

CHAPTERVII。

THEARMYOFTHENORTH。

ItrustthatitmaynotbethoughtthatinthischapterIamgoingtotakeuponmyselfthedutiesofamilitarycritic。IamwellawarethatIhavenocapacityforsuchatask，andthatmyopiniononsuchmatterswouldbeworthnothing。ButitisimpossibletowriteoftheAmericanStatesastheywerewhenIvisitedthem，andtoleavethatsubjectoftheAmericanarmyuntouched。ItwasallbutimpossibletoremainforsomemonthsintheNorthernStateswithoutvisitingthearmy。ItwasimpossibletojoininanyconversationintheStateswithouttalkingaboutthearmy。Itwasimpossibletomakeinquiryastothepresentandfutureconditionofthepeoplewithoutbasingsuchinquiriesmoreorlessuponthedoingsofthearmy。IfastrangervisitManchesterwiththeobjectofseeingwhatsortofplaceManchesteris，hemustvisitthecottonmillsandprintingestablishments，thoughhemayhavenotasteforcottonandnoknowledgeonthesubjectofcalicoes。UnderpressureofthiskindIhavegoneaboutfromonearmytoanother，lookingatthedrillingofregiments，ofthemanoeuvresofcavalry，atthepracticeofartillery，andattheinnerlifeofthecamps。IdonotfeelthatIaminanydegreemorefittedtotakethecommandofacampaignthanIwasbeforeIbegan，orevenmorefittedtosaywhocanandwhocannotdoso。ButIhaveobtainedonmyownmind\'seyeatolerablyclearimpressionoftheoutwardappearanceoftheNorthernarmy；Ihaveendeavoredtolearnsomethingofthemannerinwhichitwasbroughttogether，andofitscostasitnowstands；andIhavelearned——asanymanintheStatesmaylearn，withoutmuchtroubleorpersonalinvestigation——howterriblehasbeenthepeculationofthecontractorsandofficersbywhomthatarmyhasbeensupplied。Ofthesethings，writingoftheStatesatthismoment，Imustsaysomething。InwhatIshallsayastothatmatterofpeculation，ItrustthatImaybebelievedtohavespokenwithoutpersonalillfeelingorindividualmalice。

WhileIwastravelingintheStatesofNewEnglandandintheNorthwest，Icameacrossvariouscampsatwhichyoungregimentswerebeingdrilledandnewregimentswerebeingformed。Theselayinourwayaswemadeourjourneys，and，therefore，wevisitedthem；buttheywerenotobjectsofanyverygreatinterest。Themenhadnotacquiredevenanypretenseofsoldier-likebearing。Theofficersforthemostparthadonlyjustbeenselected，havinghardlyasyetlefttheirciviloccupations，andanythinglikecriticismwasdisarmedbytheverynatureofthemovementwhichhadcalledthementogether。Ithenthought，asIstillthink，thatthementhemselveswereactuatedbypropermotives，andoftenbyveryhighmotives，injoiningtheregiments。Nodoubttheylookedtothepayoffered。Itisnotoftenthatmenareabletodevotethemselvestopatriotismwithoutanyreferencetotheirpersonalcircumstances。Amanhasgotbeforehimthenecessityofearninghisbread，andveryfrequentlythenecessityofearningthebreadofothersbesideshimself。Thiscomesbeforehimnotonlyashisfirstduty，butastheverylawofhisexistence。Hiswagesarehislife，andwhenheproposestohimselftoservehiscountry，thatsubjectofpaymentcomesuppermostasitdoeswhenheproposestoserveanyothermaster。Butthewagesgiven，thoughveryhighincomparisonwiththoseofanyotherarmy，havenotbeenofanaturetodrawtogetherfromtheirdistanthomes，atsoshortanotice，sovastacloudofmen，hadnootherinfluencebeenatwork。AsfarasIcanlearn，theaveragerateofwagesinthecountrysincethewarbeganhasbeenabout65centsadayoverandbeyondtheworkman\'sdiet。I

feelconvincedthatIamputtingthissomewhattoolow，takingtheaverageofallthemarketsfromwhichthelaborhasbeenwithdrawn。

Inlargecitieslaborhasbeenmuchhigherthanthis，andaconsiderableproportionofthearmyhasbeentakenfromlargecities。But，taking65centsadayastheaverage，laborhasbeenworthabout17dollarsamonthoverandabovethelaborer\'sdiet。

Inthearmythesoldierreceives13dollarsamonth，andalsoreceiveshisdietandclothes；inadditiontothis，inmanyStates，6dollarsamonthhavebeenpaidbytheStatetothewivesandfamiliesofthosesoldierswhohaveleftwivesandfamiliesintheStatesbehindthem。Thusforthemarriedmenthewagesgivenbythearmyhavebeen2dollarsamonth，orlessthan5l。ayear，morethanhisearningsathome，andfortheunmarriedmantheyhavebeen4

dollarsamonth，orlessthan10l。ayear，belowhisearningsathome。Butthearmyalsogivesclothingtotheextentof3dollarsamonth。Thiswouldplacetheunmarriedsoldier，inapecuniarypointofview，worseoffbyonedollaramonth，or2l。l0s。ayear，thanhewouldhavebeenathome；andwouldgivethemarriedman5dollarsamonth，or12l。ayear，morethanhisordinarywages，forabsentinghimselffromhisfamily。Icannotthink，therefore，thatthepecuniaryattractionshavebeenverygreat。

OursoldiersinEnglandenlistatwageswhichareaboutone-halfthatpaidintheordinarylabormarkettotheclassfromwhencetheycome。ButlaborinEnglandisuncertain，whereasintheStatesitiscertain。InEnglandthesoldierwithhisshillinggetsbetterfoodthanthelaborerwithhistwoshillings；andtheEnglishmanhasnoobjectiontotherigidityofthatdisciplinewhichissodistastefultoanAmerican。Moreover，whoinEnglandeverdreamedofraising600，000newtroopsinsixmonths，outofapopulationofthirtymillion？ButthishasbeendoneintheNorthernStatesoutofapopulationofeighteenmillion。IfEnglandwereinvaded，Englishmenwouldcomeforwardinthesameway，actuated，asI

believe，bythesamehighmotives。MyobjecthereissimplytoshowthattheAmericansoldiershavenotbeendrawntogetherbytheprospectofhighwages，ashasbeenoftensaidsincethewarbegan。

Theywhoinquirecloselyintothematterwillfindthathundredsandthousandshavejoinedthearmyasprivates，whoindoingsohaveabandonedalltheirbestworldlyprospects，andhaveconsentedtobeginthegameoflifeagain，believingthattheirdutytotheircountryhasnowrequiredtheirservices。ThefacthasbeenthatinthedifferentStatesaspiritofrivalryhasbeenexcited。IndianahasendeavoredtoshowthatshewasasforwardasIllinois；

PennsylvaniahasbeenunwillingtolagbehindNewYork；

Massachusetts，whohasalwaysstruggledtobeforemostinpeace，hasdesiredtoboastthatshewasfirstinwaralso；thesmallerStateshaveresolvedtomaketheirnamesheard，andthosewhichatfirstwerebackwardinsendingtroopshavebeenshamedintogreaterearnestnessbythepublicvoice。Therehasbeenageneralfeelingthroughoutthepeoplethatthethingshouldbedone——thattherebellionmustbeputdown，andthatitmustbeputdownbyarms。

Youngmenhavebeenashamedtoremainbehind；andtheirelders，actingunderthatglowofpatriotismwhichsooftenwarmstheheartsoffreemen，butwhich，perhaps，doesnotoftenremaintherelonginallitsheat，havelefttheirwivesandhavegonealso。Itmaybetruethatthevoiceofthemajorityhasbeencoerciveonmany——thatmenhaveenlistedpartlybecausethepublicvoicerequireditofthem，andnotentirelythroughthepromptingsofindividualspirit。

SuchpublicvoiceinAmericaisverypotent；butitisnot，Ithink，truethatthearmyhasbeengatheredtogetherbythehopeofhighwages。

SuchwasmyopinionofthemenwhenIsawthemfromStatetoStateclusteringintotheirnewregiments。Theydidnotlooklikesoldiers；butIregardedthemasmenearnestlyintentonaworkwhichtheybelievedtoberight。AfterwardwhenIsawthemintheircamps，amidallthepompsandcircumstancesofgloriouswar，positivelyconvertedintotroops，armedwithrealriflesanddoingactualmilitaryservice，Ibelievedthesameofthem——butcannotsaythatIthenlikedthemsowell。Goodmotiveshadbroughtthemthere。Theywerethesamemen，ormenofthesameclass，thatIhadseenbefore。TheyweredoingjustthatwhichIknewtheywouldhavetodo。ButstillIfoundthatthemoreIsawofthem，themoreI

lostofthatrespectforthemwhichIhadoncefelt。Ithinkitwastheirdirtthatchieflyoperateduponme。Then，too，theyhadhithertodonenothing，andtheyseemedtobesoterriblyintentupontheirrations！Thegreatboastofthisarmywasthattheyeatmeattwiceaday，andthattheirdailysupplyofbreadwasmorethantheycouldconsume。

WhenIhadbeentwoorthreeweeksinWashington，IwentovertothearmyofthePotomacandspentafewdayswithsomeoftheofficers。

Ihadonpreviousoccasionsriddenaboutthecamps，andhadseenareviewatwhichGeneralMcClellantrottedupanddownthelineswithallhisnumerousstaffathisheels。Ihavealwaysbelievedreviewstobeabsurdlyuselessasregardsthepurposeforwhichtheyareavowedlygotup——that，namely，ofmilitaryinspection。AndI

believedthisespeciallyofthisreview。Idonotbelievethatanycommander-in-chiefeverlearnsmuchastotheexcellenceordeficienciesofhistroopsbywatchingtheirmanoeuvresonavastopenspace；butIfeltsurethatGeneralMcClellanhadlearnednothingonthisoccasion。Ifbeforehisreviewhedidnotknowwhetherhismenweregoodassoldiers，hedidnotpossessanysuchknowledgeafterthereview。Ifthemattermayberegardedasareviewofthegeneral——iftheobjectwastoshowhimofftothemen，thattheymightknowhowwellherode，andhowgrandhelookedwithhisstaffoffortyorfiftyofficersathisheels，thenthisreviewmustbeconsideredassatisfactory。GeneralMcClellandoesrideverywell。SomuchIlearned，andnomore。

ItwasnecessarytohaveapassforcrossingthePotomaceitherfromonesideorfromtheother，andsuchapassIprocuredfromafriendintheWar-office，goodforthewholeperiodofmysojourninWashington。Thewordingofthepasswasmorethanordinarilylong，asitrecommendedmetothespecialcourtesyofallwhomImightencounter；butinthisrespectitwasinjurioustomeratherthanotherwise，aseverypicketbywhomIwasstoppedfounditnecessarytoreadittotheend。Thepaperwasalmostinvariablyreturnedtomewithoutaword；butthemusketwhichwasnotunfrequentlykeptextendedacrossmyhorse\'snosebythereader\'scomradewouldbewithdrawn，andthenIwouldrideontothenextbarrier。Itseemedtomethatthesepassesweresonumerousandweresignedbysomanyofficersthattherecouldhavebeennoriskinforgingthem。ThearmyofthePotomac，intowhichtheyadmittedthebearer，layinquarterswhichwereextendedoveralengthoftwentymilesupanddownontheVirginiansideoftheriver，andtherivercouldbetraversedatfivedifferentplaces。Crowdsofmenandwomenweregoingoverdaily，andnodoubtallthevisitorswhosowentwithinnocentpurposeswereprovidedwithproperpassports；butanywhosepurposeswerenotinnocent，andwhowerenotsoprovided，couldhavepassedthepicketswithcounterfeitedorders。This，Ihavelittledoubt，wasdonedaily。Washingtonwasfullofsecessionists，andeverymovementoftheFederalarmywascommunicatedtotheConfederatesatRichmond，atwhichcitywasnowestablishedtheCongressandheadquartersoftheConfederacy。ButnosuchtidingsoftheConfederatearmyreachedthoseincommandatWashington。

Thereweremanycircumstancesinthecontestwhichledtothisresult，andIdonotthinkthatGeneralMcClellanhadanypowertopreventit。Hissystemofpassescertainlydidnotdoso。

InevercouldlearnfromanyonewhatwasthetruenumberofthisarmyonthePotomac。Ihavebeeninformedbythosewhoprofessedtoknowthatitcontainedover200，000men，andbyotherswhoalsoprofessedtoknow，thatitdidnotcontain100，000。Tomethesoldiersseemedtobeinnumerable，hanginglikelocustsoverthewholecountry——aswarmdesolatingeverythingaroundthem。Thosepompsandcircumstancesarenotgloriousinmyeyes。TheyaffectmewithamelancholywhichIcannotavoid。Soldiersgatheredtogetherinacampareuncouthanduglywhentheyareidle；andwhentheyareatworktheirworkisworsethanidleness。WhenIhaveseenathousandmentogether，movingtheirfeethitheratonesoundandthitheratanother，throwingtheirmusketsaboutawkwardly，proddingattheairwiththeirbayonets，trottingtwentypaceshereandbackingtenpacesthere，wheelingroundinunevenlines，andlooking，astheydidso，miserablyconsciousoftheabsurdityoftheirownperformances，Ihavealwaysbeeninclinedtothinkhowlittletheworldcanhaveadvancedincivilization，whilegrown-upmenarestillforcedtospendtheirdaysinsuchgrotesqueperformances。Thosetowhomthe“pompsandcircumstances“aredear——

nay，thosebywhomtheyareconsideredsimplynecessary——willbeabletoconfutemebyathousandarguments。Ireadilyownmyselfconfuted。Theremustbesoldiers，andsoldiersmustbetaught。Butnotthelesspitifulisittoseemenofthirtyundergoingthegoose-step，andtorturedbyordersastothepropermodeofhandlingalonginstrumentwhichishalfgunandhalfspear。InthedaysofHectorandAjax，thethingwasdoneinamorepicturesquemanner；

andthesongsofbattleshould，Ithink，beconfinedtothoseages。

ThegroundoccupiedbythedivisionsonthefartherorsouthwesternsideofthePotomacwas，asIhavesaid，abouttwentymilesinlengthandperhapsseveninbreadth。Throughthewholeofthisdistrictthesoldierswereeverywhere。Thetentsofthevariousbrigadeswereclusteredtogetherinstreets，theregimentsbeingdivided；andthedivisionscombiningthebrigadeslayapartatsomedistancefromeachother。Buteverywhere，atallpoints，thereweresomesignsofmilitarylife。Theroadswerecontinuallythrongedwithwagons，andtrackswereopenedforhorseswhereverashorterwaymightthusbemadeavailable。Oneverysidethetreeswerefallingorhadfallen。Insomeplaceswholewoodshadbeenfelledwiththeexpresspurposeofrenderingthegroundimpracticablefortroops；andfirsandpineslayoneovertheother，stillcoveredwiththeirdark，roughfoliage，asthoughamightyforesthadgrowntherealongtheground，withoutanypowertoraiseitselftowardtheheavens。Inotherplacesthetreeshadbeenchoppedofffromtheirtrunksaboutayardfromtheground，sothatthesoldierwhocutitshouldhavenotroubleinstooping，andthetopshadbeendraggedawayforfirewoodorfortheerectionofscreensagainstthewind。

Hereandthere，insolitaryplaces，therewereoutlyingtents，lookingasthougheachbelongedtosomemilitaryrecluse；andintheneighborhoodofeverydivisionwastobefoundaphotographingestablishmentuponwheels，inorderthatthemenmightsendhometotheirsweetheartspicturesofthemselvesintheirmartialcostumes。

Iwanderedaboutthroughthesecampsbothonfootandonhorsebackdayafterday；andeverynowandthenIwouldcomeuponafarm-housethatwasstilloccupiedbyitsoldinhabitants。Manyofsuchhouseshadbeendeserted，andwerenowheldbytheseniorofficersofthearmy；butsomeoftheoldfamiliesremained，livinginthemidstofthissceneofwarinaconditionmostforlorn。Asforanytillageoftheirland，that，undersuchcircumstances，mightbepronouncedashopeless。Norcouldthereexistencouragementforfarm-workofanykind。Fenceshadbeentakendownandburned；thegroundhadbeenoverrunineverydirection。Thestockhadofcoursedisappeared；ithadnotbeenstolen，buthadbeensoldinahurryforwhatundersuchcircumstancesitmightfetch。Whatfarmercouldworkorhaveanyhopeforhislandinthemiddleofsuchacrowdofsoldiers？Butyettherewerethefamilies。Thewomenwereintheirhouses，andthechildrenplayingattheirdoors；andthemen，withwhomIsometimesspoke，wouldstandaroundwiththeirhandsintheirpockets。Theyknewthattheywereruined；theyexpectednoredress。

Inninecasesoutoftentheywereinimicalinspirittothesoldiersaroundthem。Andyetitseemedthattheirequanimitywasneverdisturbed。InaformerchapterIhavespokenofacertaingeneral——notafightinggeneralofthearmy，butalocalfarminggeneral——whospokeloudly，andwithmanycurses，oftheinjuryinflictedonhimbythesecessionists。WiththatexceptionIheardnoloudcomplaintofpersonalsuffering。TheseVirginianfarmersmusthavebeendeprivedofeverything——oftheverymeansofearningbread。Theystillholdbytheirhouses，thoughtheywereintheverythickofthewar，becausetheretheyhadshelterfortheirfamilies，andelsewheretheymightseekitinvain。Amancannotmovehiswifeandchildrenifhehavenoplacetowhichtomovethem，eventhoughhishousebeinthemidstofdisease，ofpestilence，orofbattle。Soitwaswiththemthen，butitseemedasthoughtheywerealreadyusedtoit。

ButtherewasaclassofinhabitantsinthatsamecountrytowhomfatehadbeenevenmoreunkindthantothosewhomIsaw。ThelinesoftheNorthernarmyextendedperhapssevenoreightmilesfromthePotomac；andthelinesoftheConfederatearmyweredistantsomefourmilesfromthoseoftheirenemies。Therewas，therefore，aninterveningspaceorstripofground，aboutfourmilesbroad，whichmightbesaidtobenoman\'sland。Itwasnoman\'slandastomilitarypossession，butitwasstilloccupiedbymanyofitsoldinhabitants。Thesepeoplewerenotallowedtopassthelineseitherofonearmyoroftheother；oriftheydidsopass，theywerenotallowedtoreturntotheirhomes。Tothesehomestheywereforcedtocling，andtheretheyremained。Theyhadnomarket；noshopsatwhichtomakepurchases，eveniftheyhadmoneytobuy；nocustomerswithwhomtodeal，eveniftheyhadproducetosell。Theyhadtheircows，iftheycouldkeepthemfromtheConfederatesoldiers，theirpigsandtheirpoultry；andonthemtheywereliving——amostforlornlife。Anyadvancemadebyeitherpartymustbeovertheirhomesteads。Intheeventofbattle，theywouldbeinthemidstofit；andinthemeantimetheycouldseenoone，hearofnothing，gonowhitherbeyondthelimitsofthatmiserablestripofground！

TheearthwashardwithfrostwhenIpaidmyvisittothecamp，andthegeneralappearanceofthingsaroundmyfriend\'squarterswasonthataccountcheerfulenough。Itwasthemudwhichmadethingssadandwretched。Whenthefrostcameitseemedasthoughthearmyhadovercomeoneofitsworstenemies。Unfortunatelycoldweatherdidnotlastlong。IhavebeentoldinWashingtonthattheyrarelyhavehadsoopenaseason。Soonaftermydeparturethatterribleenemythemudcamebackuponthem；butduringmystaythegroundwashardandtheweatherverysharp。Isleptinatent，andmanagedtokeepmybodywarmbyanenormousoverstructureofblanketsandcoats；butIcouldnotkeepmyheadwarm。ThroughoutthenightIhadtogodownlikeafishbeneaththewaterforprotection，andcomeupforairatintervals，halfsmothered。Ihadastoveinmytent；buttheheatofthat，whenlighted，wasmoreterriblethantheseverityofthefrost。

ThetentsofthebrigadewithwhichIwasstayinghadbeenpitchednotwithoutaneyetoappearances。Theywereplacedinstreetsasitwere，eachstreethavingitsname，andbetweenthemscreenshadbeenerectedoffirpolesandfirbranches，soastokeepoffthewind。Theoutsideboundariesofthenearestregimentwereornamentedwitharches，crosses，andcolumns，constructedinthesameway；sothatthequartersofthemenwerereached，asitwere，throughgateways。Thewholethingwasprettyenough；andwhilethegroundwashardthecampwaspicturesque，andavisittoitwasnotunpleasant。Butunfortunatelythegroundwasinitsnaturesoftanddeep，composedofredclay；andasthefrostwentandthewetweathercame，mudbecameomnipotentanddestroyedallprettiness。

AndIfoundthatthecoldweather，letitbeeversocold，wasnotsevereuponthemen。Itwaswetwhichtheyfearedandhadcausetofear，bothforthemselvesandfortheirhorses。Astothehorses，butfewofthemwereprotectedbyanyshelterorcoveringwhatsoever。Throughbothfrostandwettheyremainedout，tiedtothewheelofawagonortosometemporaryrackatwhichtheywerefed。InEnglandweshouldimaginethatanyhorsesotreatedmustperish；butheretheanimalseemedtostandit。Manyofthemweremiserableenoughinappearance，butneverthelesstheydidtheworkrequiredofthem。IhaveobservedthathorsesthroughouttheStatesaretreatedinahardiermannerthanisusuallythecasewithus。

AttheperiodofwhichIamspeaking——January，1862——thehealthofthearmyofthePotomacwasnotasgoodasithadbeen，andwasbeginningtogivewayundertheeffectsofthewinter。Measleshadbecomeveryprevalent，andalsosmall-pox，thoughnotofavirulentdescription；andmen，inmanyinstances，weresinkingunderfatigue。

IwasinformedbyvariousofficersthattheIrishregimentswereonthewholethemostsatisfactory。Notthattheymadethebestsoldiers，foritwasassertedthattheywereworse，assoldiers，thantheAmericansorGermans；notthattheybecamemoreeasilysubjecttorule，foritwasassertedthattheywereunruly；butbecausetheywererarelyill。DiseaseswhichseizedtheAmericantroopsonallsidesseemedtosparethem。Themortalitywasnotexcessive，butthemenbecamesickandailing，andfellunderthedoctor\'shands。

Mr。Olmstead，whosenameiswellknowninEnglandasawriterontheSouthernStates，wasatthistimesecretarytoasanitarycommissiononthearmy，andpublishedanabstractoftheresultsoftheinquiriesmade，onwhichIbelieveperfectreliancemaybeplaced。

Thisinquirywasextendedtotwohundredregiments，whichwerepresumedtobeincludedinthearmyofthePotomac；buttheseregimentswerenotalllocatedontheVirginiansideoftheriver，andmustnotthereforebetakenasbelongingexclusivelytothedivisionsofwhichIhavebeenspeaking。Mr。Olmsteadsays:“Thehealthofourarmiesisevidentlynotabovetheaverageofarmiesinthefield。ThemortalityofthearmyofthePotomacduringthesummermonthsaveraged31/2percent。，andforthewholearmyitisstatedat5percent。““Ofthecampsinspected，5percent。，“hesays，“wereinadmirableorder；44percent。fairlycleanandwellpoliced。Theconditionof26percent。wasnegligentandslovenly，andof24percent。decidedlybad，filthy，anddangerous。“Thus50

percent。wereeithernegligentandslovenly，orfilthyanddangerous。IwonderwhatthereportwouldhavebeenhadCampBenton，atSt。Louis，beensurveyed！“Inabout80percent。oftheregimentstheofficersclaimedtogivesystematicattentiontothecleanlinessofthemen；butitisremarkedthattheyrarelyenforcedthewashingofthefeet，andnotalwaysoftheheadandneck。“I

wishMr。Olmsteadhadaddedthattheyneverenforcedthecuttingofthehair。NosingletraithasbeensodecidedlydisadvantageoustotheappearanceoftheAmericanarmyasthelong，uncombed，roughlocksofhairwhichthemenhaveappearedsoloathtoabandon。Inreadingtheaboveonecannotbutthinkoftheconditionofthoseothertwentyregiments！

AccordingtoMr。Olmsteadtwo-thirdsofthemenwerenativeborn，andone-thirdwascomposedofforeigners。TheseforeignersareeitherIrishorGerman。HadasimilarreportbeenmadeofthearmiesintheWest，Ithinkitwouldhavebeenseenthattheproportionofforeignerswasstillgreater。Theaverageageoftheprivateswassomethingundertwenty-five，andthatoftheofficersthirty-four。Imayhereadd，frommyownobservation，thatanofficer\'srankcouldinnodegreebepredicatedfromhisage。

Generals，colonels，majors，captains，andlieutenantshadbeenallappointedatthesametime，andwithoutreferencetoageorqualification。Politicalinfluence，orthepowerofraisingrecruits，hadbeenthestandardbywhichmilitaryrankwasdistributed。TheoldWestPointofficershadgenerallybeenchosenforhighcommands，butbeyondthiseverythingwasnecessarilynew。

Youngcolonelsandancientcaptainsaboundedwithoutanyharshfeelingastothematteroneitherside。Indeed，inthisrespect，thepracticeofthecountrygenerallywassimplycarriedout。

FathersandmothersinAmericaseemtoobeytheirsonsanddaughtersnaturally，andastheygrowoldbecometheslavesoftheirgrandchildren。

Mr。Olmsteadsaysthatfoodwasfoundtobeuniversallygoodandabundant。OnthismatterMr。Olmsteadmighthavespokeninstrongerlanguagewithoutexaggeration。ThefoodsuppliedtotheAmericanarmieshasbeenextravagantlygood，andcertainlyhasbeenwastefullyabundant。VerymuchhasbeensaidofthecostoftheAmericanarmy，andithasbeenmadeamatterofboastingthatnoarmysocostlyhaseverbeenputintothefieldbyanyothernation。

Theassertionis，Ibelieve，atanyratetrue。Ihavefounditimpossibletoascertainwhathashithertobeenexpendedonthearmy。

ImuchdoubtwhetherevenMr。Chase，theSecretaryoftheTreasury，orMr。Stanton，theSecretaryofWar，knowthemselves，andIdonotsupposethatMr。Stanton\'spredecessormuchcared。Someapproach，however，maybereachedtotheamountactuallypaidinwagesandforclothesanddiet；andIgivebelowastatementwhichIhaveseenoftheactualannualsumproposedtobeexpendedontheseheads，presumingthearmytoconsistof500，000men。Thearmyisstatedtocontain660，000men，buttheformernumbersgivenwouldprobablybefoundtobenearerthemark:——

Wagesofprivates，includingsergeantsandcorporals$86，640，000

Salariesofregimentalofficers23，784，000

Extrawagesofprivates；extrapaytomountedofficers，andsalarytoofficersabovetherankofcolonell7，000，000——

$127，424，000

or25，484，000poundssterling。

Tothismustbeaddedthecostofdietandclothing。Thefoodofthemen，Iwasinformed，wassuppliedatanaveragecostofl7centsaday，which，foranarmyof500，000men，wouldamountto6，200，000

poundsperannum。TheclothingofthemenisshownbytheprintedstatementoftheirWarDepartmenttoamountto$3。00amonthforaperiodoffiveyears。That，atleast，istheamountallowedtoaprivateofinfantryorartillery。Thecostofthecavalryuniformsandofthedressofthenon-commissionedofficersissomethinghigher，butnotsufficientlysotomakeitnecessarytomakespecialprovisionforthedifferenceinastatementsoroughasthis。At$3。00amonththeclothingofthearmywouldamountto3，600，000

pounds。Theactualannualcostwouldthereforebeasfollows:

Salariesandwages25，484，400pounds。

Dietofthesoldiers6，200，000“

Clothingforthesoldiers3，600，000“——

35，280，400“

Ibelievethatthesefiguresmaybetrusted，unlessitbewithreferencetothatsumof$l7，000，000，or3，400，000pounds，whichispresumedtoincludethesalariesofallgeneralofficers，withtheirstaffs，andalsotheextrawagespaidtosoldiersincertaincases。

Thisisgivenasanestimate，andmaybeoverorunderthemark。

Thesumnamedasthecostofclothingwouldbecorrect，ornearlyso，ifthearmyremainedinitspresentforceforfiveyears。Ifitsoremainedforonlyoneyear，thecostwouldbeone-fifthhigher。

Itmustofcourseberememberedthatthesumabovenamedincludessimplythewages，clothes，andfoodofthemen。Itdoesnotcomprisethepurchaseofarms，horses，ammunition，orwagons；theforageofhorses；thetransportoftroops，oranyofthoseincidentalexpensesofwarfarewhicharealways，Ipresume，heavierthantheabsolutecostofthemen，andwhich，inthiswar，havebeenprobablyheavierthaninanywareverwagedonthefaceofGod\'searth。Nordoesitincludethatterribleitemofpeculation，astowhichIwillsayawordortwobeforeIfinishthischapter。

Theyearlytotalpaymentoftheofficersandsoldiersofthearmyisasfollows。Asregardstheofficers，itmustbeunderstoodthatthisincludesalltheallowancesmadetothem，exceptasregardsthoseonthestaff。Thesumsnamedapplyonlytotheinfantryandartillery。Thepayofthecavalryisabouttenpercent。higher:——

Lieutenant-General*1850pounds。

Major-general1150“

Brigadier-General800“

Colonel530“

Lieutenant-Colonel**475“

Major430“

Captain300“

FirstLieutenant265“

SecondLieutenant245“

FirstSergeant48“

Sergeant40“

Corporal34“

Private31“

*GeneralScottaloneholdsthatrankintheUnitedStatesArmy。

**Acolonelandlieutenant-colonelareattachedtoeachregiment。

Ineverygradenamedthepayis，Ibelieve，higherthanthatgivenbyus，or，asIimagine，byanyothernation。Itis，however，probablethattheextraallowancespaidtosomeofourhigherofficerswhenondutymaygivetotheirpositionsforatimeahigherpecuniaryremuneration。ItwillofcoursebeunderstoodthatthereisnothingintheAmericanarmyansweringtoourcolonelofaregiment。Withustheofficersodesignatedholdsanominalcommandofhighdignityandemolumentasarewardforpastservices。

Ihavealreadyspokenofmyvisitstothecampsoftheotherarmiesinthefield，thatofGeneralHalleck，whoheldhisheadquartersatSt。Louis，inMissouri，andthatofGeneralBuell，whowasatLouisville，inKentucky。TherewasalsoafourtharmyunderGeneralHunter，inKansas，butIdidnotmakemywayasfarwestasthat。I

donotpretendtoanymilitaryknowledge，andshouldbefoolishtoattemptmilitarycriticism；butasfarasIcouldjudgebyappearance，IshouldsaythatthemeninBuell\'sarmywere，ofthethree，inthebestorder。Theyseemedtometobecleanerthantheothers，and，asfarasIcouldlearn，wereinbetterhealth。Wantofdisciplineanddirthave，nodoubt，beenthegreatfaultsoftheregimentsgenerally，andthelatterdrawbackmayprobablybeincludedintheformer。Thesemenhavenotbeenaccustomedtoactundertheordersofsuperiors，andwhentheyenteredontheservicehardlyrecognizedthefactthattheywouldhavetodosoinaughtelsethanintheiractualdrillandfighting。ItisimpossibletoconceiveanyclassofmentowhomthenecessarydisciplineofasoldierwouldcomewithmoredifficultythantoanAmericancitizen。

Thewholetrainingofhislifehasbeenagainstit。Hehasneverknownrespectforamaster，orreverenceformenofahigherrankthanhimself。Hehasprobablybeenmadetoworkhardforhiswages——

harderthananEnglishmanworks——buthehasbeenhisemployer\'sequal。Thelanguagebetweenthemhasbeenthelanguageofequals，andtheirarrangementastolaborandwageshasbeenacontractbetweenequals。Ifhedidnotworkhewouldnotgethismoney——andperhapsnotifhedid。Underthesecircumstanceshehasmadehisfightwiththeworld；butthosecircumstanceshavenevertaughthimthatspecialdeferencetoasuperior，whichisthefirstessentialofasoldier\'sduty。Butprobablyinnorespectwouldthatdifficultybesoseverelyfeltasinallmattersappertainingtopersonalhabits。Hereatanyratethemanwouldexpecttobestillhisownmaster，actingforhimselfandindependentofalloutercontrol。OurEnglishHodge，whentakenfromtheplowtothecamp，would，probably，submitwithoutamurmurtosoapandwaterandabarber\'sshears；hewouldhavereceivednoneofthateducationwhichwouldprompthimtorebelagainstsuchordinances；buttheAmericancitizen，whoforawhileexpectstoshakehandswithhiscaptainwheneverheseeshim，andisastonishedwhenhelearnsthathemustnotofferhimdrinks，cannotatoncebebroughttounderstandthatheistobetreatedlikeachildinthenursery；thathemustchangehisshirtsooften，washhimselfatsuchandsuchintervals，andgothroughacertainprocessofcleansinghisoutwardgarmentsdaily。

ImetwhiletravelingasergeantofaregimentoftheAmericanregulars，andhespokeofthewantofdisciplineamongthevolunteersashopeless。Butevenheinstanceditchieflybytheirwantofcleanliness。“Theyweartheirshirtstilltheydropofftheirbacks，“saidhe；“andwhatcanyouexpectfromsuchmenasthat？“Ilikedthatsergeantforhiszealandintelligence，andalsoforhiscourtesywhenhefoundthatIwasanEnglishman；forprevioustohissofindinghehadbeguntoabusetheEnglishroundly——butIdidnotquiteagreewithhimaboutthevolunteers。

Itisverybadthatsoldiersshouldbedirty，badalsothattheyshouldtreattheircaptainswithfamiliarity，anddesiretoexchangedrinkswiththemajors。Butevendisciplineisnoteverything；anddisciplinewillcomeatlasteventotheAmericansoldiers，distastefulasitmaybe，whenthenecessityforitismadeapparent。Butthesevolunteershavegreatmilitaryvirtues。Theyareintelligent，zealousintheircause，handywitharms，willingenoughtoworkatallmilitaryduties，andpersonallybrave。Ontheotherhand，theyaresickly，andtherehasbeenaconsiderableamountofdrunkennessamongthem。Nomanwhohaslookedtothesubjectcan，Ithink，doubtthatanativeAmericanhasalowerphysicaldevelopmentthananIrishman，aGerman，oranEnglishman。

Theybecomeoldsooner，anddieatanearlierage。Astothatmatterofdrink，Idonotthinkthatmuchneedbesaidagainstthem。

Englishsoldiersgetdrunkwhentheyhavethemeansofdoingso，andAmericansoldierswouldnotgetdrunkifthemeansweretakenawayfromthem。Alittledrunkennessgoesalongwayinacamp，andtendrunkardswillgiveabadnametoacompanyofahundred。Letanymantravelwithtwentymenofwhomfouraretipsy，andonleavingthemhewilltellyouthateverymanofthemwasadrunkard。

Ihavesaidthatthesemenarebrave，andIhavenodoubtthattheyareso。Howshoulditbeotherwisewithmenofsucharace？Butitmustberememberedthattherearetwokindsofcourage，oneofwhichisverycommonandtheotherveryuncommon。Ofthelatterdescriptionofcourageitcannotbeexpectedthatmuchshouldbefoundamongtheprivatesofanyarmy，andperhapsnotverymanyexamplesamongtheofficers。Itisacourageself-sustained，basedonaknowledgeoftheright，andonalife-longcalculationthatanyresultscomingfromadherencetotherightwillbepreferabletoanythatcanbeproducedbyadeparturefromit。Thisisthecouragewhichwillenableamantostandhisground，inbattleorelsewhere，thoughbrokenworldsshouldfallaroundhim。Theothercourage，whichismainlyanaffairoftheheartorbloodandnotofthebrain，alwaysrequiressomeoutwardsupport。Themanwhofindshimselfprominentindangerbearshimselfgallantly，becausetheeyesofmanywillseehim；whetherasanoldmanheleadsanarmy，orasayoungmangoesonaforlornhope，orasaprivatecarrieshisofficeronhisbackoutofthefire，heissustainedbytheloveofpraise。Andthemenwhoarenotindividuallyprominentindanger，whostandtheirgroundshouldertoshoulder，bearthemselvesgallantlyalso，eachtrustinginthecombinedstrengthofhiscomrades。Whensuchcombinedcouragehasbeenacquired，thatusefulcourageisengenderedwhichwemayrathercallconfidence，andwhichofallcourageisthemostserviceableinthearmy。AtthebattleofBull\'sRunthearmyoftheNorthbecamepanic-stricken，andfled。

FromthisfactmanyhavebeenledtobelievethattheAmericansoldierswouldnotfightwell，andthattheycouldnotbebroughttostandtheirgroundunderfire。ThisIthinkhasbeenanunfairconclusion。Inthefirstplace，thehistoryofthebattleofBull\'sRunhasyettobewritten；asyetthehistoryoftheflightonlyhasbeengiventous。AsfarasIcanlearn，theNorthernsoldiersdidatfirstfightwell；sowell，thatthearmyoftheSouthbelieveditselftobebeaten。Butapanicwascreated——atfirst，asitseems，amongtheteamstersandwagons。Acrywasraised，andarushwasmadebyhundredsofdriverswiththeircartsandhorses；andthenmenwhohadneverseenwarbefore，whohadnotyethadthreemonths\'drillingassoldiers，towhomtheturmoilofthatdaymusthaveseemedasthoughhellwereopeninguponthem，joinedthemselvestothegeneralclamorandfledtoWashington，believingthatallwaslost。Butatthesametimetheregimentsoftheenemyweregoingthroughthesamefarceintheotherdirection！Itwasabattlebetweentroopswhoknewnothingofbattles；ofsoldierswhowerenotyetsoldiers。Thatindividualhigh-mindedcouragewhichwouldhavegiventoeachindividualrecruittheself-sustainedpoweragainstapanic，whichistobelookedforinageneral，wasnottobelookedforinthem。OftheothercourageofwhichIhavespoken，therewasasmuchasthecircumstancesofthebattlewouldallow。

Onsubsequentoccasionsthemenhavefoughtwell。Weshould，I

think，admitthattheyhavefoughtverywellwhenweconsiderhowshorthasbeentheirpracticeatsuchwork。AtSomerset，atFortHenry，atFortDonelson，atCorinth，themenbehavedwithcourage，standingwelltotheirarms，thoughateachplacetheslaughteramongthemwasgreat。Theyhavealwaysgonewellintofire，andhavegeneral]ybornethemselveswellunderfire。IamconvincedthatweinEnglandcanmakenogreatermistakethantosupposethattheAmericansassoldiersaredeficientincourage。

ButnowImustcometoamatterinwhichaterribledeficiencyhasbeenshown，notbythesoldiers，butbythosewhosedutyithasbeentoprovideforthesoldiers。ItisimpossibletospeakofthearmyoftheNorthandtoleaveuntouchedthathideoussubjectofarmycontracts。AndIthinkmyselfthemorespeciallyboundtoalludetoitbecauseIfeelthattheiniquitieswhichhaveprevailedprovewithterribleearnestnessthedemoralizingpowerofthatdishonestyamongmeninhighplaces，whichistheonegreateviloftheAmericanStates。Itistherethatthedeficiencyexists，whichmustbesuppliedbeforethepublicmenofthenationcantakeahighrankamongotherpublicmen。Thereisthegangrene，whichmustbecutoutbeforethegovernment，asagovernment，canbegreat。Tomakemoneyistheonethingneedful，andmenhavebeenanxioustomeddlewiththeaffairsofgovernment，becausetheremightmoneybemadewiththegreatestease。“Makemoney，“theRomansatiristsaid；

“makeithonestlyifyoucan，butatanyratemakemoney。“ThatfirstcounselwouldbeconsideredfutileandaltogethervainbythosewhohavelatelydealtwiththepublicwantsoftheAmericanStates。

Thisisbadinamostfataldegree，notmainlybecausemeninhighplaceshavebeendishonest，orbecausethegovernmenthasbeenbadlyservedbyitsownpaidofficers。Thatmeninhighplacesshouldbedishonest，andthatthepeopleshouldbecheatedbytheirrulers，isverybad。Butthereisworsethanthis。Thethingbecomessocommon，andsonotorious，thattheAmericanworldatlargeistaughttobelievethatdishonestyisinitselfgood。“Itbehovesamantobesmart，sir！“Tilltheoppositedoctrinetothatbelearned；tillmeninAmerica——ay，andinEurope，Asia，andAfrica——canlearnthatitspeciallybehovesamannottobesmart，theywillhavelearnedlittleoftheirdutytowardGod，andnothingoftheirdutytowardtheirneighbor。

IntheinstancesoffraudagainsttheStatesgovernmenttowhichI

amabouttoallude，IshalltakeallmyfactsfromthereportmadetotheHouseofRepresentativesatWashingtonbyacommitteeofthatHouseinDecember，1861。“Mr。Washburne，fromtheSelectCommitteetoinquireintotheContractsoftheGovernment，madethefollowingReport。“Thatistheheadingofthepamphlet。ThecommitteewasknownastheVanWyckCommittee，agentlemanofthatnamehavingactedaschairman。

ThecommitteefirstwenttoNewYork，andbegantheirinquirieswithreferencetothepurchaseofasteamboatcalledthe“Catiline。“InthiscaseacertainCaptainComstockhadbeendesignatedfromWashingtonastheagenttobetrustedinthecharterorpurchaseofthevessel。Heagreedonbehalfofthegovernmenttohirethatspecialboatfor2000l。amonthforthreemonths，havinggiveninformationtofriendsofhisonthematter，whichenabledthemtopurchaseitoutandoutforlessthan4000l。Thesefriendswerenotconnectedwithshippingmatters，butwerelawyersandhotelproprietors。Thecommitteeconclude“thatthevesselwascharteredtothegovernmentatanunconscionableprice；andthatCaptainComstock，bywhomthiswaseffected，whileenjoyingTHEPECULIAR

CONFIDENCEOFTHEGOVERNMENT，wasactingforandinconcertwiththepartieswhocharteredthevessel，andwasinfacttheiragent。“ButthereportdoesnotexplainwhyCaptainComstockwasselectedforthisworkbyauthorityfromWashington，nordoesitrecommendthathebepunished。ItdoesnotappearthatCaptainComstockhadeverbeenintheregularserviceofthegovernment，butthathehadbeenmasterofasteamer。

InthenextplaceoneStarbuckisemployedtobuyships。Asagovernmentagenthebuystwofor1300l。andsellsthemtothegovernmentfor2900l。Thevesselsthemselves，whendeliveredatthenavyyard，werefoundtobetotallyunfitfortheserviceforwhichtheyhadbeenpurchased。ButwhywasStarbuckemployed，when，asappearsoverandoveragaininthereport，NewYorkwasfullofpaidgovernmentservantsreadyandfittodothework？Starbuckwasmerelyanagent，andwhowillbelievethathewasallowedtopocketthewholedifferenceof1600l。？Thegreaterpartoftheplunderwas，however，inthiscaserefunded。

ThenwecometothecaseofMr。GeorgeD。Morgan，brother-in-lawofMr。Welles，theSecretaryoftheNavy。Ihavespokenofthisgentlemanbefore，andofhissingularprosperity。Heamassedalargefortuneinfivemonths，asagovernmentagentforthepurchaseofvessels，hehavingbeenawholesalegrocerbytrade。Thisgentlemanhadhadnoexperiencewhatsoeverwithreferencetoships。

Itisshownbytheevidencethathehadnoneoftherequisiteknowledge，andthattherewerespecialservantsofthegovernmentinNewYorkatthattime，senttherespeciallyforsuchservicesasthese，whowereineverywaytrustworthy，andwhohadtherequisiteknowledge。YetMr。Morganwasplacedinthispositionbyhisbrother-in-law，theSecretaryoftheNavy，andinthatcapacitymadeabout20，000l。infivemonths，allofwhichwaspaidbythegovernment，asiswellshowntohavebeenthefactinthereportbeforeme。Oneresultofsuchamodeofagencyisgiven；oneotherresult，Imean，besidesthe20，000l。putintothepocketofthebrotheroftheSecretaryoftheNavy。Ashipcalledthe“StarsandStripes“wasboughtbyMr。Morganfor11，000l。，whichhadbeenbuiltsomemonthsbeforefor7000l。Thisvesselwasboughtfromacompanywhichwasblessedwithapresident。Thepresidentmadethebargainwiththegovernmentagent，butinsistedonkeepingbackfromhisowncompany2000l。outofthe11，000l。forexpensesincidenttothepurchase。Thecompanydidnotlikebeingmulctedofitsprey，andgrowledheavily；buttheirpresidentdeclaredthatsuchbargainswerenotgotatWashingtonfornothing。MembersofCongresshadtobepaidtoassistinsuchthings。Atleasthecouldnotreducehislittleprivatebillforsuchassistancebelow1600l。Hehad，hesaid，positivelypaidoutsomuchtothosevenalmembersofCongress，andhadmadenothingforhimselftocompensatehimforhisownexertions。Whenthispresidentcametobeexamined，headmittedthathehadreallymadenopaymentstomembersofCongress。Hisowncapacityhadbeensogreatthatnosuchassistancehadbeenfoundnecessary。ButhejustifiedhischargeonthegroundthatthesumtakenbyhimwasnomorethanthecompanymighthaveexpectedhimtolayoutonmembersofCongress，oronex-memberswhoarespeciallymentioned，hadhenothimselfcarriedonthebusinesswithsuchconsummatediscretion！Itseemstomethatthemembersorex-

membersofCongresswereshamefullyrobbedinthismatter。

ThereportdealsmanfullywithMr。Morgan，showingthatforfivemonths\'work——whichworkhedidnotdoanddidnotknowhowtodo——

hereceivedaslargeasumasthePresident\'ssalaryforthewholePresidentialtermoffouryears。Somuchbetterisittobeanagentofgovernmentthansimplyanofficer！Andthecommitteeadds，thatthey“donotfindinthistransactionthelesstocensureinthefactthatthisarrangementbetweentheSecretaryoftheNavyandMr。Morganwasonebetweenbrothers-in-law。“AfterthatwhowillbelievethatMr。Morganhadthewholeofthat20，000l。forhimself？

AndyetMr。WellesstillremainsSecretaryoftheNavy，andhasjustifiedthewholetransactioninanexplanationadmittingeverything，andwhichisconsideredbyhisfriendstobeanableStatepaper。“Itbehovesamantobesmart，sir。“Mr。MorganandSecretaryWelleswillnodoubtbeconsideredbytheirownpartytohavedonetheirdutywellashigh-tradingpublicfunctionaries。ThefaultsofMr。MorganandofSecretaryWellesarenothingtousinEngland；butthelightinwhichsuchfaultsmayberegardedbytheAmericanpeopleismuchtous。

IwillnowgoontothecaseofaMr。Cummings。Mr。Cummings，itappears，hadbeenformanyyearstheeditorofanewspaperinPhiladelphia，andhadbeenanintimatepoliticalfriendandallyofMr。Cameron。NowatthetimeofwhichIamwriting，April，1861，Mr。CameronwasSecretaryofWar，andcouldbeveryusefultoanoldpoliticalallylivinginhisownState。TheupshotofthepresentcasewillteachustothinkwellofMr。Cameron\'sgratitude。

InApril，1861，storeswerewantedforthearmyatWashington，andMr。CamerongaveanordertohisoldfriendCummingstoexpend2，000，000dollars，prettymuchaccordingtohisfancy，inbuyingstores。GovernorMorgan，theGovernorofNewYorkState，andarelativeofourotherfriendMorgan，wasjoinedwithMr。Cummingsinthiscommission，Mr。CameronnodoubthavingfelthimselfboundtogivethefriendsofhiscolleagueattheNavyachance。GovernorMorganatoncemadeoverhisrighttohisrelative；butbetterthingssooncameinMr。Morgan\'sway，andherelinquishedhisshareinthispartnershipatanearlydate。Inthistransactionhedidnothimselfhandleabove25，000dollars。ThenthewholejobfellintothehandsofMr。Cameron\'soldpoliticalfriend。

The2，000，000dollars，or400，000l。，werepaidintothehandsofcertaingovernmenttreasurersatNewYork，buttheyhadorderstohonorthedraftofthepoliticalfriendoftheSecretaryofWar，andconsequently50，000l。wasimmediatelywithdrawnbyMr。Cummings，andwiththishewenttowork。Itisshownthatheknewnothingofthebusiness；thatheemployedaclerkfromAlbanywhomhedidnotknow，andconfidedtothisclerkthedutyofbuyingsuchstoresaswerebought；thatthisclerkwasrecommendedtohimbyMr。Weed，theeditorofanewspaperatAlbany，whoisknownintheStatesasthespecialpoliticalfriendofMr。Seward，theSecretaryofState；andthatinthiswayhespent32，000l。Heboughtlinenpantaloonsandstrawhatstotheamountof4200l。，becausehethoughtthesoldierslookedhotinthewarmweather；butheafterwardlearnedthattheywereofnouse。HeboughtgroceriesofahardwaredealernamedDavidson，atAlbany，thattownwhencecameMr。Weed\'sclerk。HedidnotknowwhatwasDavidson\'strade，nordidheknowexactlywhathewasgoingtobuy；butDavidsonproposedtosellhimsomethingwhichMr。Cummingsbelievedtobesomekindofprovisions，andheboughtit。Hedidnotknowforhowmuch——whetherover2000l。ornot。Heneversawthearticles，andhadnoknowledgeoftheirquality。Itwasoutofthequestionthatheshouldhavesuchknowledge，ashenaivelyremarks。HisclerkHumphreyssawthearticles。HepresumedtheywerebroughtfromAlbany，butdidnotknow。Heafterwardboughtaship——ortwoorthreeships。Heinspectedoneship“byamerecasualvisit:“thatistosay，hedidnotexamineherboilers；

hedidnotknowhertonnage，buthetookthewordofthesellerforeverything。Hecouldnotstatethetermsofthecharter，orgivethesubstanceofit。Hehadhadnoformerexperienceinbuyingorcharteringships。Healsobought75，000pairsofshoesatonly25

cents(oroneshilling)apairmorethantheirproperprice。HeboughtthemofaMr。Hall，whodeclaresthathepaidMr。Cummingsnothingforthejob，butregardeditasareturnforcertainpreviousfavorsconferredbyhimonMr。Cummingsintheoccasionalloansof100l。or200l。

AttheendoftheexaminationitappearsthatMr。Cummingsstillheldinhishandaslightbalanceof28，000l。，ofwhichhehadforgottentomakementioninthebodyofhisownevidence。“Thisitemseemstohavebeenoverlookedbyhiminhistestimony，“saysthereport。Andwhenthereportwasmade，nothinghadyetbeenlearnedofthedestinyofthissmallbalance。

ThenthereportgivesalistofthearmysuppliesmiscellaneouslypurchasedbyMr。Cummings:280dozenpintsofaleat9s。6d。adozen；alotofcodfishandherrings；200boxesofcheesesandalargeassortmentofbutter；sometongues；strawhatsandlinen“pants；“23barrelsofpickles；25casksofScotchale，pricenotstated；alotofLondonporter，pricenotstated；andsomeHallcarbinesofwhichImustsayawordmorefurtheron。Itshouldberememberedthatnorequisitionhadcomefromthearmyforanyofthearticlesnamed；thatthepurchaseofherringsandstrawhatswasdictatedsolelybythediscretionofCummingsandhismanHumphreys，or，asismoreprobable，bythefactthatsomeotherpersonhadsucharticlesbyhimforsale；andthatthegovernmenthaditsownestablishedofficersforthesupplyofthingsproperlyorderedbymilitaryrequisition。Theseverysamearticlesalsowereapparentlyprocured，inthefirstplace，asaprivatespeculation，andweremadeovertothegovernmentonthefailureofthatspeculation。

“Someoftheabovearticles，“saysthereport，“wereshippedbytheCatiline，whichwasprobablyloadedonprivateaccount，and，notbeingabletoobtainaclearance，was，insomeway，throughMr。

Cummings，transferredovertothegovernment——SCOTCHALE，LONDON

PORTER，SELECTEDHERRINGS，andall。“Theitalics，aswellasthewords，aretakenfromthereport。

ThiswastheconfidentialpoliticalfriendoftheSecretaryofWar，bywhomhewasintrustedwith400，000l。ofpublicmoney！Twenty-

eightthousandpoundshadnotbeenaccountedforwhenthereportwasmade，andthearmysupplieswereboughtafterthefashionabovenamed。ThatSecretaryofWar，Mr。Cameron，hassinceleftthecabinet；buthehasnotbeenturnedoutindisgrace；hehasbeennominatedasMinistertoRussia，andtheworldhasbeentoldthattherewassomedifferenceofopinionbetweenhimandhiscolleaguesrespectingslavery！Mr。Cameron，insomespeechorpaper，declaredonhisleavingthecabinetthathehadnotintendedtoremainlongasSecretaryofWar。Thisassertion，Ishouldthink，musthavebeentrue。

AndnowabouttheHallcarbines，astowhichthegentlemenonthiscommitteetelltheirtalewithanevidentdelightintherichnessofitsincidentswhichatonceputsalltheirreadersinaccordwiththem。Therewerealtogethersomefivethousandofthese，allofwhichthegovernmentsoldtoaMr。EastmaninJune，1861，for14s。

each，asperfectlyuseless，andafterwardboughtinAugustfor4l。

8s。each，about4s。acarbinehavingbeenexpendedintheirrepairinthemeantime。Butasregards790ofthesenowfamousweapons，itmustbeexplainedtheyhadbeensoldbythegovernmentasperfectlyuseless，andatanominalprice，previouslytothissecondsalemadebythegovernmenttoMr。Eastman。Theyhadbeensosold，andthen，inApril，1861，theyhadbeenboughtagainforthegovernmentbytheindefatigableCummingsfor3l。each。Thentheywereagainsoldasuselessfor14s。eachtoEastman，andinstantlyreboughtonbehalfofthegovernmentfor4l。8s。each！Uselessforwarpurposestheymayhavebeen，butasarticlesofcommerceitmustbeconfessedthattheywereveryserviceable。

ThislastpurchasewasmadebyamannamedStevensonbehalfofGeneralFremont，whoatthattimecommandedthearmyoftheUnitedStatesinMissouri。StevenshadbeenemployedbyGeneralFremontasanagentonthebehalfofgovernment，asisshownwithclearnessinthereport，andonhearingofthesemusketstelegraphedtothegeneralatonce:“Ihave5000Hall\'srifledcast-steelmuskets，breach-loading，new，at22dollars。“GeneralFremonttelegraphedbackinstantly:“Iwilltakethewhole5000carbines……Iwillpayallextracharges。“……Andsothepurchasewasmade。Themuskets，itseems，werenotabsolutelyuselessevenasweaponsofwar。“Consideringtheemergencyofthetimes？“acompetentwitnessconsideredthemtobeworth“10or12dollars。“Thegovernmenthadbeenasmuchcheatedinsellingthemasithadinbuyingthem。ButthenatureofthelattertransactionisshownbythefactsthatStevenswasemployed，thoughirresponsiblyemployed，asagovernmentagentbyGeneralFremont；thatheboughtthemusketsinthatcharacterhimself，makingonthetransaction1l。18s。oneachmusket；andthatthesamemanafterwardappearedasanaid-de-camponGeneralFremont\'sstaff。GeneralFremonthadnoauthorityhimselftomakesuchapurchase，andwhenthemoneywaspaidforthefirstinstallmentofthearms，itwassopaidbythespecialorderofGeneralFremonthimselfoutofmoneysintendedtobeappliedtootherpurposes。ThemoneywasactuallypaidtoagentlemanknownatFremont\'sheadquartersashisspecialfriend，andwasthenpaidinthatirregularwaybecausethisfrienddesiredthatthatspecialbillshouldreceiveimmediatepayment。Afterthat，whocanbelievethatStevenswashimselfallowedtopocketthewholeamountoftheplunder？

ThereisanicelittlestoryofaclergymaninNewYorkwhosold，for40l。andcertainfurthercontingencies，therighttofurnish200

cavalryhorses；butIshouldmakethistoolongifItoldallthenicelittlestories。AsthefraudsatSt。Louiswere，ifnotinfactthemostmonstrous，atanyratethemostmonstrouswhichhaveasyetbeenbroughttothelight，IcannotfinishthisaccountwithoutexplainingsomethingofwhatwasgoingonatthatWesternParadiseinthosehalcyondaysofGeneralFremont。

GeneralFremont，soonafterreachingSt。Louis，undertooktobuildtenfortsfortheprotectionofthatcity。Thesefortshavesincebeenpronouncedasuseless，andthewholemeasurehasbeentreatedwithderisionbyofficersofhisownarmy。ButthejudgmentdisplayedinthematterisamilitaryquestionwithwhichIdonotpresumetomeddle。Evenifageneralbewronginsuchamatter，hischaracterasamanisnotdisgracedbysucherror。ButthemannerofbuildingthemwastheaffairwithwhichMr。VanWyck\'sCommitteehadtodeal。Itseemsthatfiveoftheforts，thefivelargest，weremadeundertheordersofacertainMajorKappner，atacostof12，000l。，andthattheotherfivecouldhavebeenbuiltatleastforthesamesum。MajorKappnerseemstohavebeenagoodandhonestpublicservant，andthereforequiteunfitforthesuperintendenceofsuchworkatSt。Louis。Theotherfivesmallerfortswerealsoinprogress，theworksonthemhavingbeencontinuedfrom1stofSeptemberto25thofSeptember，1861；butonthe25thofSeptemberGeneralFremonthimselfgavespecialordersthatacontractshouldbemadewithamannamedBeard，aCalifornian，whohadfollowedhimfromCaliforniatoSt。Louis。Thiscontractisdatedthe25thofSeptember。Butneverthelesstheworkspecifiedinthatcontractwasdoneprevioustothatdate，andmostofthemoneypaidwaspaidprevioustothatdate。Thecontractdidnotspecifyanylumpsum，butagreedthattheworkshouldbepaidforbytheyardandbythesquarefoot。NolessasumwaspaidtoBeardforthiswork——thecormorantBeard，asthereportcallshim——than24，200l。，thelastpaymentonly，amountingto4000l。，havingbeenmadesubsequenttothedateofthecontract。TwentythousandtwohundredpoundswaspaidtoBeardbeforethedateofthecontract！Theamountswerepaidatfivetimes，andthelastfourpaymentsweremadeonthepersonalorderofGeneralFremont。ThisBeardwasundernobond，andnoneoftheofficersofthegovernmentknewanythingofthetermsunderwhichhewasworking。Onthe14thofOctoberGeneralFremontwasorderedtodiscontinuetheseworks，andtoabstainfrommakinganyfurtherpaymentsontheiraccount。But，disobeyingthisorder，hedirectedhisquartermastertopayafurthersumof4000l。

toBeardoutofthefirstsumsheshouldreceivefromWashington，hethenbeingoutofmoney。This，however，wasnotpaid。“Itmustbeunderstood，“saysthereport，“thateverydollarorderedtobepaidbyGeneralFremontonaccountoftheseworkswasdivertedfromafundspeciallyappropriatedforanotherpurpose。“Andthenagain:

“ThemoneyappropriatedbyCongresstosubsistandclotheandtransportourarmieswasthen，inuttercontemptofalllawandofthearmyregulations，aswellasindefianceofsuperiorauthority，orderedtobedivertedfromitslawfulpurposeandturnedovertothecormorantBeard。Whilehehadreceivedl70，000dollars(24，200l。)fromthegovernment，itwillbeseenfromthetestimonyofMajorKappnerthattherehadonlybeenpaidtothehonestGermanlaborers，whodidtheworkonthefirstfivefortsbuiltunderhisdirections，thesumof15，500dollars，(3100l。，)leavingfrom40，000

to50，000dollars(8000l。to10，000l。)stilldue；andwhiletheselaborers，whosefamilieswereclamoringforbread，werebesiegingthequartermaster\'sdepartmentfortheirpay，thisinfamouscontractorBeardisfoundfollowingupthearmyandintheconfidenceofthemajor-general，whogiveshimordersforlargepurchases，whichcouldonlyhavebeenlegallymadethroughthequartermaster\'sdepartment。“Afterthat，whowillbelievethatallthemoneywentintoBeard\'spocket？WhyshouldGeneralFremonthavecommittedeveryconceivablebreachoforderagainsthisgovernment，merelywiththeviewoffavoringsuchamanasBeard？

ThecollusionoftheQuartermasterM\'Instrywithfraudulentknavesinthepurchaseofhorsesisthenproved。M\'InstrywasatthistimeFremont\'squartermasteratSt。Louis。Icannotgothroughallthese。AmanofthenameofJimNeilcomesoutinbeautifulpre-

eminence。NodealerinhorsescouldgettothequartermasterexceptthroughJimNeil，orsomesuchgo-between。ThequartermastercontractedwithNeilandNeilwiththeownersofhorses；Neilatthetimebeingalsomilitaryinspectorofhorsesforthequartermaster。

Heboughthorsesascavalryhorsesfor24l。orless，andpassedthemhimselfasartilleryhorsesfor30l。Inothercasesthemilitaryinspectorswerepaidbythesellerstopasshorses。AllthiswasdoneunderQuartermasterM\'Instry，whowouldhimselfdealwithnonebutsuchasNeil。Inoneinstance，oneElliardgotacontractfromM\'instry，theprofitofwhichwas8000l。ButtherewasamannamedBrady。NowBradywasafriendofM\'Instry，who，scentingthecarrionafaroff，hadcomefromDetroit，inMichigan，toSt。Louis。

M\'instryhimselfhadalsocomefromDetroit。InthiscaseElliardwassimplydirectedbyM\'InstrytosharehisprofitswithBrady，andconsequentlypaidtoBrady4000l。，althoughBradygavetothebusinessneithercapitalnorlabor。Hesimplytookthe4000l。asthequartermaster\'sfriend。ThisElliard，itseems，alsogaveacarriageandhorsestoMrs。Fremont。Indeed，Elliardseemstohavebeenacivilandgenerousfellow。ThenthereisamannamedThompson，whosecaseisveryamusing。Ofhimthecommitteethusspeaks:“ItmustbesaidthatThompsonwasnotforgetfuloftheobligationsofgratitude，for，afterhegotthroughwiththecontract，hepresentedthesonofMajorM\'instrywitharidingpony。

Thatwastheonlymarkofrespect，“tousehisownwords，“thatheshowedtothefamilyofMajorM\'instry。“

GeneralFremonthimselfdesiredthatacontractshouldbemadewithoneAugustusSacchiforathousandCanadianhorses。ItturnedoutthatSacchiwas“nobody:amanofstrawlivinginagarretinNewYork，whomnobodyknew，amanwhowasbroughtoutthere“——toSt。

Louis——“asagoodpersonthroughwhomtowork。““Itwillhardlybebelieved，“saysthereport，“thatthenameofthissamemanSacchiappearsinthenewspapersasbeingonthestaffofGeneralFremont，atSpringfield，withtherankofcaptain。“

Idonotknowthatanygoodwouldresultfrommypursuingfurtherthedetailsofthiswonderfulreport。TheremainingportionofitreferssolelytothecommandheldbyGeneralFremontinMissouri，andaddsproofuponproofofthegrossrobberiesinflicteduponthegovernmentoftheStatesbytheverypersonssetinhighauthoritytoprotectthegovernment。Welearnhowallutensilsforthecamp，kettles，blankets，shoes，messpans，etc。，weresuppliedbyonefirm，withoutacontract，atanenormousprice，andofaqualitysobadastobealmostuseless，becausethequartermasterwasunderobligationstothepartners。Welearnthatonepartnerinthatfirmgave40l。towardaserviceofplateforthequartermaster，and60l。

towardacarriageforMrs。Fremont。Welearnhowfutileweretheeffortsofanyhonesttradesmantosupplygoodshoestosoldierswhowereshoeless，andthehistoryofonespecialpairofshoeswhichwasthrustunderthenoseofthequartermasterisveryamusing。Welearnthatacertainpaymasterproperlyrefusedtosettleanaccountformatterswithwhichhehadnoconcern，andthatGeneralFremontatoncesentdownsoldierstoarresthimunlesshemadetheillegalpayment。InOctober1000l。wasexpendedinice，allwhichicewaswasted。Regimentsweresenthitherandthitherwithnomilitarypurpose，merelybecausecertainofficers，callingthemselvesgenerals，desiredtomakeupbrigadesforthemselves。Indeed，everydescriptionoffraudwasperpetrated，andthiswasdonenotthroughthenegligenceofthoseinhighcommand，butbytheirconnivanceandoftenwiththeirexpressauthority。