SewarddisapprovedofthecompositionoftheCabinetsomuchthat，almostatthelastmoment，hewithdrewhisacceptanceoftheStateDepartment。ItwasLincoln\'sgentlenessofargumentwhichovercamehisreluctancetoserve。Wemaybesure，however，thatSewardfailedtoobservethatLincoln\'stactlessnessinsocialmattersdidnotextendtohismanagementofmeninpolitics；wemayfeelsurethatwhatremainedinhismindwasLincoln\'sunwillingnesstoenterofficewithoutWilliamHenrySewardasSecretaryofState。
ThepromptnesswithwhichSewardassumedtheroleofprimeministerbearsoutthisinference。ThesamefactalsorevealsapuzzlingdetailofSeward\'scharacterwhichamountedtoobtuseness——hisforgetfulnessthatappointmenttocabinetofficeshadnottransformedhisoldpoliticalrivalsChaseandCameron，norsoftenedthefeelingsofaninveteratepoliticalenemy，Welles，theSecretaryoftheNavy。TheimpressionwhichSewardmadeonhiscolleaguesinthefirstdaysofthenewGovernmenthasbeenthussharplyrecordedbyWelles:\"TheSecretaryofStatewas，ofcourse，apprisedofeverymeeting[ofministers]andneverfailedinhisattendance，whateverwasthesubject-matter，andthoughentirelyoutofhisofficialprovince。HewasvigilantlyattentivetoeverymeasureandmovementinotherDepartments，howevertrivial——asmuchsoastohisown——watchedandscrutinizedeveryappointmentthatwasmade，orproposedtobemade，butwasnotcommunicativeinregardtothetransactionoftheStateDepartment。\"SoeagerwasSewardtokeepallthethreadsofaffairsinhisownhandsthathetriedtopersuadeLincolnnottoholdcabinetmeetingsbutmerelytoconsultwithparticularministers，andwiththeSecretaryofState，asoccasionmightdemand。AcombinedprotestfromtheotherSecretaries，however，causedtheregularholdingofCabinetmeetings。
WithregardtotheConfederacy，Seward\'spolicywasoneofnon-resistance。Forthishehadtworeasons。ThefirstofthesewashisrooteddelusionthatthebulkoftheSouthernerswereopposedtosecessionand，ifletalone，wouldforcetheirleaderstoreconsidertheiraction。Hemighthavequotedthenurseryrhyme，\"Letthemaloneandthey\'llcomehome\"；itwouldhavebeenlikehimandintunewithafrivoloussideofhisnature。HewasquiteasirresponsiblewhenhecomplacentlyassuredtheNorththatthetroublewouldallblowoverwithinninetydays。HealsobelievedthatanydisplayofforcewouldconvertthesehypotheticalUnionistsoftheSouthfromfriendstoenemiesandwouldconsolidateopinionintheConfederacytoproducewar。InjusticetoSewarditmustberememberedthatonthispointtimejustifiedhisfears。
HisdealingswiththeConfederatecommissionersshowthathewasplayingtogaintime，notwithintenttodeceivetheSouthernersbuttoacquirethatdominationoverLincolnwhichhefeltwashisbynaturalright。Intendingtoinstituteapeacepolicythemomenthegainedthisascendency，hefeltperfectlysafeinmakingpromisestothecommissionersthroughmutualfriends。HevirtuallytoldthemthatSumterwouldeventuallybegivenupandthatalltheyneeddowastowait。
SewardbroughttobearuponthePresidenttheopinionsofvariousmilitarymenwhothoughtthetimehadpassedwhenanyexpeditionforthereliefofSumtercouldsucceed。ForsometimeLincolnseemedabouttoconsent，thoughreluctantly，toSeward\'sleadinthematteroftheforts。Hewaspulledupstanding，however，bythethreatenedresignationofthePostmaster-General，Blair。
AfteraconferencewithleadingRepublicanpoliticiansthePresidentannouncedtohisCabinetthathispolicywouldincludethereliefofSumter。\"Seward，\"saysWelles，\"……wasevidentlydispleased。\"
Sewardnowtookanewtack。FortPickens，atPensacola，wasaproblemsimilartothatofSumteratCharleston。BothweredemandedbytheConfederates，andbothwereinneedofsupplies。
ButFortPickenslaytooneside，sotospeak，ofthepublicmind，andtherewasnotconspicuouslyintheworld\'seyethesquareissueoveritthattherewasoverSumter。Sewardconceivedtheideathat，ifthePresident\'sattentionweredivertedfromSumtertoPickensandareliefexpeditionweresenttothelatterbutnonetotheformer，hisprivatenegotiationswiththeConfederatesmightstillbekeptgoing；Lincolnmightyetbehypnotized；andatlastallwouldbewell。
OnAll-Fools\'Day，1861，inthemidstofapressofbusiness，heobtainedLincoln\'ssignaturetosomedispatches，whichLincoln，itseems，discussedwithhimhurriedlyandwithoutdetailedconsideration。Therewerenowinpreparationtworeliefexpeditions，onetocarrysuppliestoPensacola，theothertoCharleston。Neitherwastofightifitwasnotmolested。Bothweretobestrongenoughtofightiftheircommandersdeemeditnecessary。AsflagshipoftheCharlestonexpedition，WelleshaddetailedthepowerfulwarshipPowhatan，whichwasrapidlybeingmadereadyattheBrooklynNavyYard。SuchwasthesituationasWellesunderstooditwhenhewasthinkingofbedlateonthenightofthe6thofApril。UntilthenhehadnotsuspectedthattherewasdoubtandbewildermentaboutthePowhatanatBrooklyn。
OneofthosedispatcheswhichLincolnhadsohastilysignedprovidedfordetachingthePowhatanfromtheCharlestonexpeditionandsendingitsafeoutofharm\'swaytoPensacola。
Thecommanderoftheshiphadbeforehimtheconflictingorders，onefromthePresident，onefromtheSecretaryoftheNavy。HewasabouttosailunderthePresident\'sordersforPensacola；butwishingtomakesureofhisauthority，hehadtelegraphedtoWashington。GideonWelleswasapugnaciousman。HisdislikeforSewardwasdeepseated。ImaginehisstateofmindwhenitwasaccidentlyrevealedtohimthatSewardhadgonebehindhisbackandhadissuedtonavalofficersorderswhichwerecontradictorytohisown!TheimmediateresultwasaninterviewthatsamenightbetweenSewardandWellesinwhich，asWellescoldlyadmittedinafterdays，theSecretaryoftheNavyshowed\"someexcitement。\"Togethertheywent，aboutmidnight，totheWhiteHouse。Lincolnhadsomedifficultyrecallingtheincidentofthedispatchonthe1stofApril；butwhenhedidremember，hetooktheresponsibilityentirelyuponhimself，sayinghehadhadnopurposebuttostrengthenthePickensexpedition，andnothoughtofweakeningtheexpeditiontoCharleston。HedirectedSewardtotelegraphimmediatelycancellingtheorderdetachingthePowhatan。Sewardmadeadesperateattempttoputhimoff，protesting，itwastoolatetosendatelegramthatnight。\"ButthePresidentwasimperative，\"writesSecretaryWelles，indescribingtheincident，andadispatchwassent。
Sewardthen，doubtlessinhisagitation，didastrangething。
InsteadoftelegraphinginthePresident\'sname，thedispatchwhichhesentreadmerely，\"GiveupthePowhatan……Seward。\"WhenthisdispatchwasreceivedatBrooklyn，thePowhatanwasalreadyunderwayandhadtobeovertakenbyafasttug。Intheeyesofhercommander，however，apersonaltelegramfromtheSecretaryofStateappearedasofnoweightagainsttheofficialordersofthePresident，andhecontinuedhisvoyagetoPensacola。
ThemercurialtemperofSewardcomesouteveninthecausticnarrativewrittenafterwardsbyWelles。EvidentlySewardwasdeeplymortifiedanddepressedbytheincident。Heremarked，saysWelles，thatoldashewashehadlearnedalesson，andthatwasthathehadbetterattendtohisownbusiness。\"Tothis，\"
commentedhisenemy，\"Icordiallyassented。\"
NeverthelessSeward\'slossoffaithinhimselfwasonlymomentary。Anight\'ssleepwassufficienttorestoreit。Hisnextcommunicationtothecommissionersshowsthathewashimselfagain，surethatdestinyowedhimthecontrolofthesituation。
Onthefollowingdaythecommissionershadgotwindofthereliefexpeditionandpressedhimforinformation，recallinghisassurancethatnothingwouldbedonetotheirdisadvantage。Inreply，stillthroughathirdperson，Sewardsentthemthefamousmessage，overtheprecisemeaningofwhichgreatdebatehasraged:\"FaithastoSumterfullykept；waitandsee。\"IfthisinfatuateddreamerstillbelievedhecoulddominateLincoln，stillhopedatthelastmomenttoarresttheexpeditiontoCharleston，hewasdoomedtobitterestdisappointment。
Onthe9thofApril，theexpeditiontoFortSumtersailed，butwithout，aswehaveseen，theassistanceofthemuchneededwarship，thePowhatan。Asalltheworldknows，theexpeditionhadbeentoolongdelayedanditaccomplishednothing。Beforeitarrived，thesurrenderofSumterhadbeendemandedandrefused——andwarhadbegun。DuringthebombardmentofSumter，thereliefexpeditionappearedbeyondthebar，butitscommanderhadnovesselsofsuchacharacterastoenablehimtocarryaidtothefortress。Furthermore，hehadnotbeeninformedthatthePowhatanhadbeendetachedfromhissquadron，andheexpectedtomeetheratthemouthoftheharbor。Therehisshipslayidleuntilthefortwassurrendered，waitingforthePowhatan——forwhosedetachmentfromthesquadronSewardwasresponsible。
ToreturntotheworldofintrigueatWashington，however，itmustnotbesupposed，asissooftendone，thatFortSumterwastheoneconcernofthenewgovernmentduringitsfirstsixweeks。
Infact，thesubjectoccupiedbutafractionofLincoln\'stime。
Scarcelysecondinimportancewasthatmattersocuriouslyboundupwiththereliefoftheforts——thegettinginhandofthestrangelyvaingloriousSecretaryofState。MentionhasalreadybeenmadeofAll-Fools\'Day，1861。Severalmarvelousthingstookplaceonthatday。StrangestofallwasthepresentationofapaperbytheSecretaryofStatetohischief，entitled\"ThoughtsforthePresident\'sConsideration\"。WhetheritberegardedasastatepaperorasabiographicaldetailinthecareerofSeward，itprovestobequitethemostastoundingthinginthewholeepisode。The\"Thoughts\"outlinedacourseofpolicybywhichthebuoyantSecretaryintendedtomakegoodhisprophecyofdomesticpeacewithinninetydays。BesidescalmlypatronizingLincoln，assuringhimthathislackof\"apolicyeitherdomesticorforeign\"was\"notculpableand……evenunavoidable，\"thepaperwarnedhimthat\"policies……bothdomesticandforeign\"mustimmediatelybeadopted，anditproceededtopointoutwhattheyoughttobe。Brieflystated，theonetruepolicywhichheadvocatedathomewastoevacuateSumter(thoughPickensforsomeunexplainedreasonmightbesafelyretained)andthen，inordertobringtheSouthernersbackintotheUnion，topickquarrelswithbothSpainandFrance；toproceedasquicklyaspossibletowarwithbothpowers；andtohavetheultimatesatisfactionofbeholdingthereunionofthecountrythroughthegeneralenthusiasmthatwasboundtocome。Finally，thepaperintimatedthattheSecretaryofStatewasthemantocarrythisprojectthroughtosuccess。
Allthisisnotoperabouffe，butserioushistory。ItmusthavetaxedLincoln\'ssenseofhumorandstrainedhissenseofthefitnessofthingstotreatsuchnonsensewiththetactfulforbearancewhichheshowedandtorelegateittothepigeonholewithoutmakingSewardangry。Yetthishecontrivedtodo；andhealsomanaged，gentlybutfirmly，tomakeitplainthatthePresidentintendedtoexercisehisauthorityasthechiefmagistrateofthenation。HisforbearancewasfurthershowninpassingoverwithoutrebukeSeward\'spartintheaffairofSumter，whichmightsoeasilyhavebeenmadetoappeartreacherous，andinshoulderinghimselfwithallresponsibilityforthefailureoftheCharlestonexpedition。Inthewaveofexcitementfollowingthesurrender，evensodebonairaministerasSewardmusthaverealizedhowfortunateitwasforhimthathischiefdidnottellallheknew。AboutthistimeSewardbegantoperceivethatLincolnhadawillofhisown，andthatitwasnotsafetotriflefurtherwiththePresident。Sewardthereuponceasedhisinterference。
ItwasinthedarkdaysprecedingthefallofSumterthatacrowdofoffice-seekersgatheredatWashington，mostofthemmenwhohadlittleinterestinanythingbutthespoils。ItisadistressingcommentaryontheAmericanpartysystemthat，duringthemostcriticalmonthofthemostcriticalperiodofAmericanhistory，muchofthePresident\'stimewasconsumedbythesepoliticalvampireswhowouldnotbeputoff，eventhougharevolutionwasinprogressandnations，perhaps，weredyingandbeingborn。\"Thescrambleforoffice，\"wroteStanton，\"isterrible。\"Sewardnotedprivately:\"SolicitantsforofficebesiegethePresident……MydutiescallmetotheWhiteHousetwoorthreetimesaday。Thegrounds，halls，stairways，closets，arefilledwithapplicantswhorenderingressandegressdifficult。\"
SecretaryWelleshasetchedtheWashingtonofthattimeinhiscoldlyscornfulway:
\"AstrangestateofthingsexistedatthattimeinWashington。
Theatmospherewasthickwithtreason。Partyspiritandoldpartydifferencesprevailed，however，amidsttheseaccumulateddangers。Secessionwasconsideredbymostpersonsasapoliticalpartyquestion，notasrebellion。DemocratstoalargeextentsympathizedwiththeRebelsmorethanwiththeAdministration，whichtheyopposed，notthattheywishedSecessiontobesuccessfulandtheUniondivided，buttheyhopedthatPresidentLincolnandtheRepublicanswould，overwhelmedbyobstaclesandembarrassments，provefailures。TheRepublicansontheotherhand，werescarcelylesspartisanandunreasonable。Patriotismwaswiththemnotest，noshieldfrompartymalevolence。TheydemandedtheproscriptionandexclusionofsuchDemocratsasopposedtheRebelmovementandclungtotheUnion，withthesamevehemencethattheydemandedtheremovaloftheworstRebelswhoadvocatedadissolutionoftheUnion。Neitherpartyappearedtobeapprehensiveof，ortorealizethegatheringstorm。\"
Seenagainstsuchabackground，thepoliticalanddiplomaticfrivolityoftheSecretaryofStateisnotsoinexplicableasitwouldotherwisebe。Thisbackground，aswellastheintrigueoftheSecretary，helpsustounderstandLincoln\'sgreattaskinsidehisCabinet。AtfirsttheCabinetwasagroupofjealouspoliticiansnewtothissortofoffice，drawnfromdifferentparties，andtotallylackinginacordialsenseofpreviousactiontogether。Noneofthem，probably，whentheyfirstassembledhadanyhighopinionoftheirtitularhead。Hewaslookeduponasapoliticalmakeshift。Thebestofthemhadtolearntoappreciatethefactthatthisstrange，ungainlyman，sprungfromplainestorigin，withoutformaleducation，wasagreatgenius。Bydegrees，however，thelargemindsintheCabinetbecamehiscordialadmirers。WhileLincolnwasquietly，graduallyexercisinghisstrongwilluponSeward，hewasdoingthesamewiththeothermembersofhiscouncil。Presentlytheyawoke——themajorityofthematleast——tothetruththathe，forallhisoddways，wastheirmaster。
MeanwhilethegradualreadjustmentofallfactionsintheNorthwassteadilygoingforward。TheRepublicanswerefallingintolinebehindtheGovernment；andbydegreesthedistinctionbetweenSewardandLincoln，inthepopularmind，fadedintoasortofcompositepicturecalled\"theAdministration。\"LincolnhadtherewardofhislongforbearancewithhisSecretary。ForSewarditmustbesaidthat，howeverhehadintriguedagainsthischiefatWashington，hedidnotintriguewiththecountry。
Admittingashehad，too，thathehadmethismaster，hetookthedefeatasagoodsportsmanandthrewallhisvastpartyinfluenceintothescaleforLincoln\'sfortunes。Thus，asAprilworeon，theRepublicanpartysettleddowntotheideathatitwastofollowtheGovernmentatWashingtonuponanycoursethatmightdevelop。
TheDemocratsintheNorthwereanti-Southerninlargerproportion，probably，thanatanyothertimeduringthestruggleofthesections。WehaveseenthatnumbersofthemhadfranklydeclaredfortheUnion。Politicshadprovedweakerthanpropinquity。Therewasamomentwhenitseemed——delusively，aseventsproved——thattheNorthwasunitedasonemantoopposetheSouth。
ThereissurelynotanotherdayinourhistorythathaswitnessedsomuchnervoustensionasSaturday，April13，1861，foronthatmorningthenewspaperselectrifiedtheNorthwiththenewsthatSumterhadbeenfiredonfromConfederatebatteriesontheshoreofCharlestonHarbor。IntheSouththeissuewasawaitedconfidently，butmanymindsatleastwereinthatstateofawedsuspensenaturaltoamomentwhichthethoughtfulseeisthestrokeoffate。IntheNorth，thedaypassedforthemostpartinaquietsobreathlessthateventhemostcarelesscouldhaveforetoldthestormwhichbrokeonthefollowingday。TheaccountofthiscrisiswhichhasbeengivenbyLincoln\'sprivatesecretaryisinteresting:
\"ThatdaytherewaslittlechangeinthebusinessroutineoftheExecutiveoffice。Mr。Lincolnwasneverliabletosuddenexcitementorsuddenactivity……SowhiletheSumtertelegramswereoneverytongue……leadingmenandofficialscalledtolearnorimpartthenews。TheCabinet，asbycommonimpulse，cametogetheranddeliberated。Alltalk，however，wasbrief，sententious，formal。Lincolnsaidbutlittlebeyondmakinginquiriesaboutthecurrentreportsandcriticizingtheprobabilityoraccuracyoftheirdetails，andwentonasusualreceivingvisitors，listeningtosuggestions，andsigningroutinepapersthroughouttheday。\"MeanwhilethecannonwereboomingatCharleston。Thepeoplecameoutonthesea-frontofthelovelyoldcityandwatchedtheduelofthecannonfardowntheharbor，andspokejoyouslyofthegreatevent。Theysawtheshellsoftheshorebatteriesigniteportionsofthefortressontheisland。Theywatchedthefireofthedefenders——drivenbytheflamesintoarestrictedarea——slackenandcease。AtlasttheflagoftheUnionfluttereddownfromaboveFortSumter。
WhenthenewsflashedovertheNorth，earlySundaymorning，April14th，thetensionbroke。Formanyobserversthenandafterward，theonlyNorthdiscerniblethatfatefulSabbathwasanenraged，defiant，impulsivenation，forgetfulforthemomentofallitsdifferences，andunitingallitsvoicesinonehoarsecryforvengeance。Thereseemedtobenootherthought。Lincolngaveitformalutterance，thatsameday，byassemblinghisCabinetanddrawingupaproclamationwhichcalledfor75，000volunteertroops。
Anincidentofthisdaywhichisassignificanthistoricallyasanyotherwasonthesurfacenomorethanafriendlytalkbetweentwomen。DouglascalledattheWhiteHouse。FornearlytwohoursheandLincolnconferredinprivate。HithertoithadbeenalittleuncertainwhatcourseDouglaswasgoingtotake。IntheSenate，thoughcondemningdisunion，hehadopposedwar。FewmatterscanhavetroubledLincolnmoredeeplythanthequestionwhichwayDouglas\'simmenseinfluencewouldbethrown。ThequestionwasansweredpubliclyinthenewspapersofMonday，April15th。Douglasannouncedthatwhilehewasstill\"unalterablyopposedtotheAdministrationonallitspoliticalissues，hewaspreparedtosustainthePresidentintheexerciseofallhisconstitutionalfunctionstopreservetheUnion，andmaintaintheGovernment，anddefendthefederalcapital。\"
ThereremainedofDouglas\'slifebutafewmonths。ThetimewasfilledwithearnestspeechmakinginsupportoftheGovernment。
HehadstartedWestdirectlyfollowinghisconferencewithLincoln。HisspeechesinOhio，Indiana，Illinois，wereperhapsthegreatestsingleforceinbreakinguphisownfollowing，puttinganendtotheprincipleofdoingnothing，andforcingeveryDemocrattocomeoutandshowhiscolors。InShakespeare\'sphrase，itwas——\"Underwhichking，Bezonian?speakordie!\"InDouglas\'sownphrase:\"Therecanbenoneutralsinthiswar；ONLY
PATRIOTS——ORTRAITORS。\"
SidebysidewithDouglas\'smanifestototheDemocratsthereappearedintheMondaypapersLincoln\'scallforvolunteers。ThemilitiaofseveralNorthernStatesatonceresponded。
OnWednesday，the17thofApril，theSixthMassachusettsRegimententrainedforWashington。TwodayslateritwasinBaltimore。
Thereitwasattackedbyamob；thesoldiersfired；andanumberofcivilianswerekilledaswellasseveralsoldiers。
TheseshotsatBaltimorearousedtheSouthernpartyinMaryland。
LedbytheMayorofthecity，theyresolvedtopreventthepassageofothertroopsacrosstheirStatetoWashington。
Railwaytracksweretornupbyorderofthemunicipalauthorities，andbridgeswereburnt。Thetelegraphwascut。Asinaflash，afterissuinghisproclamation，LincolnfoundhimselfisolatedatWashingtonwithnoforcebutahandfuloftroopsandthegovernmentclerks。AndwhileMarylandroseagainsthimononeside，Virginiajoinedhisenemiesontheother。ThedaytheSixthMassachusettsleftBoston，Virginiaseceded。TheVirginiamilitiawerecalledtotheircolors。PreparationswereatoncesetonfootfortheseizureofthegreatfederalarsenalatHarper\'sFerryandtheNavyYardatNorfolk。Thenextdayahandfuloffederaltroops，fearfulofbeingoverpoweredatHarper\'sFerry，burnedthearsenalandwithdrewtoWashington。
ForthesamereasonthebuildingsofthegreatNavyYardwereblownuporsetonfire，andtheshipsatanchorweresunk。SodesperateandunpreparedweretheWashingtonauthoritiesthattheytooktheseextrememeasurestokeeparmsandammunitionoutofthehandsoftheVirginians。Sohastilywasthedestructioncarriedout，thatitwasonlypartiallysuccessfulandatbothplaceslargestoresofammunitionwereseizedbytheVirginiatroops。WhileWashingtonwasisolated，andLincolndidnotknowwhatresponsetheNorthhadmadetohisproclamation，RobertE。
Lee，havingresignedhiscommissioninthefederalarmy，wasplacedincommandoftheVirginiatroops。
ThesecretariesofLincolnhavepreservedapictureofhisdesperateanxiety，waiting，dayafterday，forrelieffromtheNorthwhichhehopedwouldspeedilycomebysea。Outwardlyhemaintainedhisself-control。\"Butonce，ontheafternoonofthe23d，thebusinessofthedaybeingover，theExecutiveofficebeingdeserted，afterwalkingtheflooraloneinsilentthoughtfornearlyhalfanhour，hestoppedandgazedlongandwistfullyoutofthewindowdownthePotomacinthedirectionoftheexpectedships；and，unconsciousofotherpresenceintheroom，atlengthbrokeoutwithirrepressibleanguishintherepeatedexclamation，\"Whydon\'ttheycome!Whydon\'ttheycome!\"
Duringthesedaysofisolation，whenWashington，withthetelegraphinoperative，waskeptinanappallinguncertainty，theNorthrose。Therewasliterallyarushtovolunteer。\"Theheatherisonfire，\"wroteGeorgeTicknor，\"Ineverbeforeknewwhatapopularexcitementcanbe。\"AsfastaspossiblemilitiawerehurriedSouth。ThecrackNewYorkregiment，thefamous，dandifiedSeventh，startedforthefrontamidprobablythemosttempestuousovationwhichuntilthattimewasevergiventoamilitaryorganizationinAmerica。OfthemarchoftheregimentdownBroadway，oneofitsmemberswrote，\"Onlyonewhopassedaswedid，throughthetempestofcheerstwomileslong，canknowtheterribleenthusiasmoftheoccasion。\"
ToreachWashingtonbyrailwasimpossible。TheSeventhwentbyboattoAnnapolis。ThesamecoursewastakenbyaregimentofMassachusettsmechanics，theEighth。LandingatAnnapolis，thetworegiments，dandiesandlaborers，fraternizedatonceinthecommonbondofloyaltytotheUnion。AbranchrailwayledfromAnnapolistothemainlinebetweenWashingtonandBaltimore。Therailshadbeentornup。TheMassachusettsmechanicssettoworktorelaythem。TheGovernorofMarylandprotested。Hewasdisregarded。Thetworegimentstoiledtogetheralongdayandthroughthenightfollowing，betweenAnnapolisandtheWashingtonjunction，bringingontheirbaggageandcannonoverrelaidtracks。There，atrainwasfoundwhichtheSeventhappropriated。
Atnoon，onthe25thofApril，thatadvanceguardoftheNorthernhostsenteredWashington，andLincolnknewthathehadarmiesbehindhim。
CHAPTERVII。LINCOLN
ThehistoryoftheNorthhadvirtuallybecome，byApril，1861，thehistoryofLincolnhimself，andduringtheremainingfouryearsofthePresident\'slifeitisdifficulttoseparatehispersonalityfromthetrendofnationalhistory。AnyattempttounderstandtheachievementsandtheomissionsoftheNorthernpeoplewithoutundertakinganintelligentestimateoftheirleaderwouldbeonlytoduplicatethestoryof\"Hamlet\"withHamletleftout。AccordingtotheopinionofEnglishmilitaryexperts*，\"AgainstthegreatmilitarygeniusofcertainSouthernleadersfateopposedtheunbrokenresolutionandpassionatedevotiontotheUnion，whichheworshiped，ofthegreatNorthernPresident。AslongashelivedandruledthepeopleoftheNorth，therecouldbenoturningback。\"
*WoodandEdmonds。\"TheCivilWarintheUnitedStates。\"
LincolnhasbeenrankedwithSocrates；buthehasalsobeencomparedwithRabelais。Hehasbeenthetargetofabusethatknewnomercy；buthehasbeenworshipedasademigod。Thetenbigvolumesofhisofficialbiographyareasustained，intemperateeulogyinwhichtheherodoesnothingthatisnotadmirable；butaslargeabookcouldbebuiltupoutofcontemporaneousNorthernwritingsthatwouldpaintapictureofunmitigatedblackness——andthemosteloquentportionsofitwouldbesignedbyWendellPhillips。
TherealLincolnis，ofcourse，neithertheLincolnoftheofficialbiographynortheLincolnofWendellPhillips。Hewasneitherasaintnoravillain。Whatheactuallywasisnot，however，soeasilystated。Prodigiousmenarenevereasytosumup；andLincolnwasaprodigiousman。Themoreonestudieshim，themoreindividualheappearstobe。Bydegreesonecomestounderstandhowitwaspossibleforcontemporariestoholdcontradictoryviewsofhimandforeachtobelievefranticallythathisviewswereprovedbyfacts。Foranyonewhothinkshecanhitoffinafewneatgeneralitiesthiscomplex，extraordinarypersonality，asinglewarningmaysuffice。WaltWhitman，whowasperhapsthemostoriginalthinkerandthemostacuteobserverwhoeversawLincolnfacetofacehasleftushisimpression；butheaddsthattherewassomethinginLincoln\'sfacewhichdefieddescriptionandwhichnopicturehadcaught。
AfterWhitman\'sconclusionthat\"Oneofthegreatportraitpaintersoftwoorthreehundredyearsagoisneeded，\"themerehistorianshouldproceedwithcaution。
Thereishistoricsignificanceinhisveryappearance。Hishuge，loose-knitfigure，sixfeetfourincheshigh，lean，muscular，ungainly，theevidenceofhisgreatphysicalstrength，wasafitsymbolofthosehardworkers，thechildrenofthesoil，fromwhomhesprang。Hisfacewasruggedlikehisfigure，thecomplexionswarthy，cheekboneshigh，andbushyblackhaircrowningagreatforeheadbeneathwhichtheeyesweredeep-set，gray，anddreaming。Asortofshamblingpowerfulnessformedthemainsuggestionoffaceandfigure，softenedstrangelybythemysteriousexpressionoftheeyes，andbythesingulardelicacyoftheskin。Themotionsofthisawkwardgiantlackedgrace；thetophatandblackfrockcoat，sometimesrusty，whichhadservedhimonthewesterncircuitcontinuedtoservehimwhenhewasvirtuallythedictatorofhiscountry。Itwasinsuchdressthathevisitedthearmy，wherehetoweredabovehisgenerals。
Eveninabookofrestrictedscope，suchasthis，onemustinsistuponthedistinctionbetweentheprivateandpublicLincoln，forthereisasyetnoacceptedconceptionofhim。WhatcomesnearesttoanacceptedconceptioniscontainedprobablyintheversionofthelateCharlesFrancisAdams。Hetellsushowhisfather，theelderCharlesFrancisAdams，ambassadortoLondon，foundLincolnin1861anoffensivepersonality，andheinsiststhatLincolnunderstrainpassedthroughatransformationwhichmadetheLincolnof1864adifferentmanfromtheLincolnof1861。Perhaps；butwithoutbeingfrivolous，oneistemptedtoquotecertainold-fashionedAmericanpapersthatusedtolabeltheirnewsitems\"importantiftrue。\"
Whatthen，wasthepublicLincoln?Whatexplainshisvastsuccess?AsaforceinAmericanhistory，whatdoeshecountfor?
Perhapsthemostsignificantdetailinananswertothesequestionsisthefactthathehadneverheldconspicuouspublicofficeuntilattheageoffifty-twohebecamePresident。
Psychologicallyhisplaceisinthatsmallgroupofgreatgeniuseswhosewholesignificantperiodliesinwhatwecommonlythinkofasthedeclineoflife。Thereareseveralsuchinhistory:RomehadCaesar；AmericahadbothLincolnandLee。Bycontrastingtheseinstanceswiththoseoftheothertype，theegoisticgeniusessuchasAlexanderorNapoleon，webecomeawareofsomedimbutprofounddividinglineseparatingthetwogroups。
Thetheorythatgenius，atbottom，ispureenergyseemstofitNapoleon；butdoesitfittheseothermindswhoappeartomeetlifewithacertainindifference，withacarelessnessoftheirownfate，awillingnesstoleavemuchtochance?ThatirresistiblepassionforauthoritywhichNapoleonhadislackingintheseothers。Theirbasalinspirationseemstoresembletheimpulseoftheartisttoexpress，ratherthantheimpulseofthemanofactiontopossess。Haditnotbeenforsecession，LeewouldprobablyhaveendedhisdaysasanexemplarysuperintendentofWestPoint。AndwhatofLincoln?Hedabbledinpolitics，earlyandwithoutsuccess；heleftpoliticsforthelaw，andtothelawhegaveduringmanyyearshischiefdevotion。Butthefortuitousbreak-upofparties，withtherevivaloftheslaveryissue，touchedsomehiddenspring；theableprovinciallawyerfeltagainthepoliticalimpulse；hebecameafamousmakerofpoliticalphrases；andonthisliterarybasishebecametheleaderofaparty。
ToolittleattentionhasbeenpaidtothisprogressionofLincolnthroughliteratureintopolitics。Theeasewithwhichhedriftedfromonetotheotherisalsostilltobeevaluated。Diditshowacertainslackness，acertainaimlessness，atthebottomofhisnature?Hadit，inaway，somesortofanalogy——tocomparehomespunwiththingsOlympian——totheveinoffrivolityinthegreatCaesar?Oneistemptedtothinkso。Surely，herewasoneofthosenatureswhichneedcircumstancetocompelthemtogreatnessandwhicharenotforedoomed，Napoleon-like，toseizegreatness。Withoutencroachinguponthebiographicaltask，onemayborrowfrombiographythisinsistentecho:theanecdotesofLincolnsoundoverandoverthenoteofeasy-goinggoodnature；
butthereistobefoundinmanyoftheLincolnanecdotesanovertoneofmelancholywhichlingersafterone\'simpressionofhisgoodnature。Quitenaturally，insuchabiographicalatmosphere，wefindourselvesthinkingofhimatfirstasalittletoogood-humored，alittletooeasy-going，alittlepronetofallintoreverie。Wearenotsurprisedwhenwefindhisfavoritepoembeginning\"Oh，whyshouldthespiritofmortalbeproud。\"
ThisenigmaticalmanbecamePresidentinhisfifty-secondyear。
Wehavealreadyseenthathisnextperiod，thewinterof1860-61，hasitsbiographicalproblems。TheimpressionwhichhemadeonthecountryasPresident-electwasdistinctlyunfavorable。Goodhumor，oropportunism，orwhatyouwill，broughttogetherinLincoln\'sCabinetatleastthreemenmoreconspicuousintheordinarysensethanhewashimself。Weforget，today，howinsignificanthemusthaveseemedinaCabinetthatembracedSeward，Cameron，andChase——alllargenationalfigures。Whatwouldnothistorygiveforapageofself-revelationshowingushowhefeltintheearlydaysofthatcompany!Washetroubled?
Didhedoubthisabilitytoholdhisown?Washefatalistic?
Washissadsmilehisrefuge?Didhemerelyputthingsby，ignoringtomorrowuntiltomorrowshouldarrive?
Howeverwemayguessattheanswerstosuchquestions，onethingnowbecomescertain。Hisqualityofgoodhumorbegantobehissalvation。ItisdoubtfulifanyPresidentexceptWashingtonhadtomanagesodifficultaCabinet。WashingtonhadseennosolutiontotheproblembuttoletJeffersongo。LincolnfoundhisCabinetoftenonthevergeofasplit，withtwopowerfulfactionsstrugglingtocontrolitandneitherevergainingfullcontrol。Thoughtherewerenumerouswithdrawals，noresigningsecretaryreallysplitLincoln\'sCabinet。BywhatturnsandtwistsandskillfulmaneuversLincolnpreventedsuchadivisionandkeptsuchinveterateenemiesasChaseandSewardsteadilyattheirjobs——Chaseduringthreeyears，Sewardtotheend——willpartlyappearinthefollowingpages；butthewholedelicateachievementcannotbeproperlyappreciatedexceptindetailedbiography。
AllcriticismofLincolnturnseventuallyononequestion:Washeanopportunist?Notonlyhisenemiesinhisowntimebutmanypoliticiansofalaterdaywereeagertoprovethathewasthelatter——indeed，seekingtosheltertheirownopportunismbehindthemajestyofhisexample。AmoderninstancewillperhapsmakevividthislongstandingdebateuponLincolnandhismotives。
Merelyforhistoricilluminationandwithoutbecominginvidious，wemayrecalltheinstanceofPresidentWilsonandtheresignationofhisSecretaryofWarin1916becauseCongresswouldnotmeettheissueofpreparedness。ThePresidentacceptedtheresignationwithoutforcingtheissue，andCongresswentonfiddlingwhileRomeburned。Now，wasthePresidentanopportunist，merelywaitingtoseewhatcourseeventswouldtake，orwasheapoliticalstrategist，astutelybidinghistime?
SimilarincharacteristhisolddebateuponLincoln，whichisperhapsbestfocussedintheremovalofSecretaryBlairwhichweshallhavetonoteinconnectionwiththeelectionof1864。
Itisdifficultforthemostobjectivehistoriantodealwithsuchquestionswithoutobtrudinghispersonalviews，butthereisnothingmerelyindividualinrecordingthefactthatthesteadydriftofopinionhasbeenawayfromtheconceptionofLincolnasanopportunist。Whatoncecausedhimtobethusconceivedappearsnowtohavebeenafailuretocomprehendintelligentlythenatureofhisundertaking。Moreandmore，thetendencynowadaysistoconceivehiscareerasoneofthosefewinstancesinwhichtheprecisefacultiesneededtosolveaparticularproblemwerecalledintoplayatexactlythecriticalmoment。
OurconfusionswithregardtoLincolnhavegrownoutofourfailuretoappreciatethesingularityoftheAmericanpeople，andtheirultra-singularityduringtheyearsinwhichhelived。Itremainstobeseenhereafterwhatstrangeelementsofsensibility，ofwaywardness，oflackofimagination，ofundisciplinedardor，ofselfishness，ofdeceitfulness，oftreachery，combinedwithheroicideality，madeupthecharacterofthatcomplexpopulacewhichitwasLincoln\'stasktocontrol。
Buthedidmorethancontrolit:hesomehowcompoundedmuchofitintosomethinglikeaunit。TomeasureLincoln\'sachievementinthisrespect，twothingsmustberemembered:ontheonehand，histaskwasnotasarduousasitmighthavebeen，becausethemostintellectualpartoftheNorthhaddefinitelycommitteditselfeitherirretrievablyfor，orirreconcilablyagainst，hispolicy。
Lincoln，therefore，didnothavetotroublehimselfwiththisportionofthepopulation。Ontheotherhand，thatpartwhichhehadtomasterincludedsuchemotionalrhetoriciansasHoraceGreeley；suchfiercezealotsasHenryWinterDavisofMaryland，whomadehimtroubleindeed，andBenjaminWade，whomwehavemetalready；suchmilitaryegoistsasMcClellanandPope；suchcraftydouble-dealersashisownSecretaryoftheTreasury；suchastutegraftersasCameron；suchmiserablecreaturesascertainpowerfulcapitalistswhosacrificedhisarmytotheirownlustforprofitsfilchedfromarmycontracts。
ThewonderofLincoln\'sachievementisthathecontrivedatlasttoextendhisholdoverallthesediverseelements；thathepersuadedsome，outwittedothers，andovercamethemall。Thesubtletyofthistaskwouldhaveruinedanystatesmanofthedrivingsort。ExplainLincolnbyanytheoryyouwill，hispersonalitywasthekeystoneoftheNorthernarch；subtractit，andthearchfalls。Thepopularelementbeingascomplexandpowerfulasitwas，howcouldthepresidingstatesmanhavemasteredthesituationifhehadnotbeenofsopeculiarasortthathecouldinfluenceallthesediverseandpowerfulinterests，slowly，bydegrees，withoutheat，withouttheimperativenote，almostinsilence，withtheuniversal，enfoldingirresistibilityofthegradualthingsinnature，ofthesunandtherain。SuchwasthegeniusofLincoln——allbutpassionless，yetsoquietthatonecannotbutbelieveinthegreatdepthofhisnature。
Weare，eventoday，farfromadefinitiveunderstandingofLincoln\'sstatecraft，butthereisperhapsjustificationforventuringupononeprophecy。Thefartherfromhimwegetandthemoreclearlyweseehiminperspective，themoreweshallrealizehiscreativeinfluenceuponhisparty。ALincolnwhoisthemoulderofeventsandthegreatcreatorofpublicopinionwillemergeatlastintoclearview。IntheLincolnofhisultimatebiographertherewillbemoreofironthanofalessenduringmetalinthefigureoftheLincolnofpresenttradition。Thoughnoneofhisgentlenesswilldisappear，therewillbemoreemphasisplaceduponhisfirmness，anduponsuchepisodesasthatofDecember，1860，whenhissinglewillturnedthescaleagainstcompromise；uponhissteadinessinthedefeatofhispartyatthepollsin1862；orhisoverrulingofthewillofCongressinthesummerof1864onthequestionofreconstruction；orhisattitudeintheautumnofthatyearwhenhebelievedthathewaslosinghissecondelection。Behindallhisgentleness，hisslowness，behindhissadness，therewilleventuallyappearaninflexiblepurpose，strongassteel，unwaveringasfate。
TheCivilWarwasintruthLincoln\'swar。Thosemodernpacifistswhoclaimhimfortheirownarebesidethemark。TheywillnevergetovertheirillusionsaboutLincolnuntiltheysee，asalltheworldisbeginningtosee，thathiscareerhasuniversalsignificancebecauseofitsbearingontheuniversalmodernproblemofdemocracy。Itwillnotdoevertoforgetthathewasamanofthepeople，alwaysplayingthehandofthepeople，inthelimitedsocialsenseofthatword，thoughplayingitwithnoneoftheheatusuallymetwithinthestatesmenofsuccessfuldemocracyfromCleontoRobespierre，fromAndrewJacksontoLloydGeorge。HisgentlenessdoesnotremoveLincolnfromthatsterncategory。Throughouthislife，besideshispassionfortheUnion，besideshisantipathytoslavery，theredweltinhisveryheartloveofandfaithintheplainpeople。Weshallneverseehimintruehistoricperspectiveuntilweconceivehimastheinstrumentofavastsocialidea——thedeterminationtomakeagovernmentbasedontheplainpeoplesuccessfulinwar。
Hedidnotscrupletoseizepowerwhenhethoughtthecauseofthepeopledemandedit，andhisenemieswereprompttoaccusehimofholdingtothedoctrinethattheendjustifiedthemeans——ahastyconclusionwhichwillhavetobereconsidered；whatconcernsusmorecloselyisthedefiniteconvictionthathefeltnosacrificetoogreatifitadvancedthehappinessofthegeneralityofmankind。
ThefinalsignificanceofLincolnasastatesmanofdemocracyisbroughtoutmostclearlyinhisforeignrelations。FateputitintothehandsofEnglandtodeterminewhetherhisGovernmentshouldstandorfall。ThoughitisdoubtfulhowfartheturningofthescaleofEnglishpolicyinLincoln\'sfavorwasduetotheinfluenceoftherisingpowerofEnglishdemocracy，itisplainthatLincolnthoughtofhimselfashavingonepurposewiththatmovementwhichheregardedasanally。BeyondalldoubtamongthemostgratefulmessagesheeverreceivedweretheNewYeargreetingsofconfidenceandsympathywhichweresentbyEnglishworkingmenin1863。Afewsentencesinhis\"LettertotheWorkingmenofLondon\"helpustolookthroughhiseyesandseehislifeanditsstrugglesastheyappearedtohiminrelationtoworldhistory:
\"Asthesesentiments[expressedbytheEnglishworkmen]aremanifestlytheenduringsupportofthefreeinstitutionsofEngland，soamIsurethattheyconstitutetheonlyreliablebasisforfreeinstitutionsthroughouttheworld……Theresources，advantages，andpoweroftheAmericanpeopleareverygreat，andtheyhaveconsequentlysucceededtoequallygreatresponsibilities。Itseemstohavedevolveduponthemtotestwhetheragovernmentestablishedontheprinciplesofhumanfreedomcanbemaintainedagainstanefforttobuildoneupontheexclusivefoundationofhumanbondage。Theywillrejoicewithmeinthenewevidencewhichyourproceedingsfurnishthatthemagnanimitytheyareexhibitingisjustlyestimatedbythetruefriendsoffreedomandhumanityinforeigncountries。\"
Writtenattheopeningofthatterribleyear，1863，thesewordsareaforwardlinkwiththosemorecelebratedwordsspokentowarditscloseatGettysburg。Perhapsatnotimeduringthewar，exceptduringthefewdaysimmediatelyfollowinghisownreelectionayearlater，didLincolncomesonearbeingfreefromcareasthen。Perhapsthatexplainswhyhisfundamentalliterarypowerreasserteditselfsoremarkably，whythisspeechofhisatthededicationoftheNationalCemeteryatGettysburgonthe19thofNovember，1863，remainsoneofthemostmemorableorationseverdelivered:
\"Fourscoreandsevenyearsagoourfathersbroughtforthuponthiscontinentanewnation，conceivedinliberty，anddedicatedtothepropositionthatallmenarecreatedequal。
\"Nowweareengagedinagreatcivilwar，testingwhetherthatnation，oranynationsoconceivedandsodedicated，canlongendure。Wearemetonagreatbattlefieldofthatwar。Wehavecometodedicateaportionofthatfieldasafinalresting-placeforthosewhoheregavetheirlivesthatthatnationmightlive。
Itisaltogetherfittingandproperthatweshoulddothis。
\"Butinalargersensewecannotdedicate，wecannotconsecrate，wecannothallowthisground。Thebravemen，livinganddead，whostruggledhere，haveconsecrateditfaraboveourpowertoaddordetract。Theworldwilllittlenotenorlongrememberwhatwesayhere，butitcanneverforgetwhattheydidhere。Itisforus，theliving，rather，tobededicatedheretotheunfinishedworkwhichtheywhofoughtherehavethusfarsonoblyadvanced。Itisratherforustobeherededicatedtothegreattaskremainingbeforeus:thatfromthesehonoreddeadwetakeincreaseddevotiontothatcauseforwhichtheygavethelastfullmeasureofdevotion；thatweherehighlyresolvethatthesedeadshallnothavediedinvain；thatthisnation，underGod，shallhaveanewbirthoffreedom；andthatgovernmentofthepeople，bythepeople，andforthepeople，shallnotperishfromtheearth。\"
CHAPTERVIII。THERULEOFLINCOLN
ThefundamentalproblemoftheLincolnGovernmentwastheraisingofarmies，thesuddenconversionofacommunitywhichwasessentiallyindustrialintoadisciplinedmilitaryorganization。
TheaccomplishmentofsogiganticatransformationtaxedtheabilitiesoftwoSecretariesofWar。Thefirst，SimonCameron，owedhisplaceintheCabinettothedoublefactofbeingoneoftheablestofpoliticalbossesandofstandinghighamongLincoln\'scompetitorsforthePresidentialnomination。
Personallyhonest，hewasalsoapoliticalcynictowhomtraditionascribestheepigramdefininganhonestpoliticianasonewho\"whenheisbought，willstaybought。\"AsSecretaryofWarheshowednoparticularability。
In1861，whenthetideofenthusiasmwasinflood，andvolunteersinhostswererespondingtoactsofCongressfortheraisingandmaintenanceofavolunteerarmy，CameronreportedinDecemberthattheGovernmenthadonfoot660，971menandcouldhavehadamillionexceptthatCongresshadlimitedthenumberofvolunteerstobereceived。Whenthisreportwasprepared，Lincolnwas，sotospeak，inthetroughoftwoseas。ThedevotionwhichhadbeenofferedtohiminApril，1861，whentheNorthseemedtoriseasoneman，hadundergoneareaction。Eightmonthswithoutasinglestrikingmilitarysuccess，togetherwiththestartlingdefeatatBullRun，hadhadtheirinevitableeffect。Democraciesaremercurial；variabilityseemstobepartofthepriceoffreedom。
Withchildlikefaithintheircause，theNorthernpeople，inmidsummer，werecrying，\"OntoRichmond!\"Intheautumn，stungbydefeat，theywerereadytocry，\"DownwithLincoln。\"
Inasubsequentreport，theWarDepartmentconfessedthatatthebeginningofhostilities，\"nearlyallourarmsandammunition\"
camefromforeigncountries。Onegreatreasonwhynomilitarysuccessesrelievethegloomof1861wasthat，fromasoldier\'spointofview，therewerenoarmies。Soldiers，itistrue，therewereinmyriads；butarms，ammunition，andaboveall，organizationwerelacking。Thesuppliesinthegovernmentarsenalshadbeenprovidedforanarmyofbutafewthousand。
Striveastheywould，allthefactoriesinthecountrycouldnotcomeanywherenearmakingarmsforhalfamillionmen；nordidthefacilitiesofthosedaysmakeitpossibleformunitionplantstospringupovernight。HaditnotbeenthattheConfederacywasequallyhardpushed，evenharderpushed，tofindarmsandammunition，thewarwouldhaveendedinsideSeward\'sninetydays，throughsheerlackofpowder。
EvenwiththerespitegivenbytheunpreparednessoftheSouth，andwhileLincolnhurriedlycollectedarmsandammunitionfromabroad，thestartlednation，thussuddenlyforcedintoarealizationofwhatwarmeant，lostitshead。Fromitspreviousrecklesstrustinsheerenthusiasm，itreactedtoadistrustofalmosteverything。Whywerethesoldiersnotarmed?Whydidnotmillionsofroundsofcartridgesfalllikemannaoutofthesky?
Whydidnotthecrowdsofvolunteersbecomearmiesatawordofcommand?OneofthedarkestpagesinAmericanhistoryrecordsthewayinwhichthecrowd，undisciplinedtoendurestrain，turneduponLincolninitsdesiretofindintheconductoftheirleaderapretextforventinguponhimthefiercenessoftheiranxiety。SuchapretexttheyfoundinhistreatmentofFremont。
ThesingularepisodeofFremont\'sarrogancein1861ispartofthestoryoftheborderStateswhosefriendshipwaseagerlysoughtbybothsides——Maryland，Kentucky，Missouri，andthosemountainouscountieswhichintimeweretobecomeWestVirginia。
ToretainMarylandandthustokeepopentheconnectionbetweentheCapitalandtheNorthwasoneofLincoln\'sdeepestanxieties。
BydegreestheholdoftheGovernmentinMarylandwasmadesecure，andtheStateneverseceded。Kentucky，too，heldtotheUnion，though，duringmanyanxiousmonthsin1861，LincolndidnotknowwhetherthisStatewastobeforhimoragainsthim。
TheVirginiamountains，fromthefirst，seemedamorehopefulfield，forthemountaineershadopposedtheVirginiasecessionand，assoonasitwasaccomplished，hadbegunholdingmeetingsofprotest。InthemeantimeGeorgeB。McClellan，withtherankofgeneralbestoweduponhimbytheFederalGovernment，hadbeenappointedtocommandthemilitiaofOhio。Hewassenttoassisttheinsurgentmountaineers，andwithhimwenttheOhiomilitia。
FromthissituationandfromthesmallengagementswithConfederateforcesinwhichMcClellanwassuccessful，thereresultedtheseparateStateofWestVirginiaandtheextravagantpopularnotionthatMcClellanwasagreatgeneral。HissuccesseswerecontrastedintheordinarymindwiththecrushingdefeatatBullRun，whichhappenedataboutthesametime。
