President, who was no coward, was sorely troubled about the safety of Washington.  And his Secretary of War was also much troubled, as was common with him on the appearance of danger.  And the “Chief of Staff” was also in trouble, and went to issuing orders, of a memorable kind, few of which were understood, much less obeyed.  The result of all this was that there was great conflict of action.  I have no better name to call it by, my son.  Hence it was, my son, that our good President halted McDowell, and McDowell’s corps.  And both looked on from a distance while General George was fighting desperate battles with the enemy.  This was the way the War Department carried on the war at that time.  Now, my son, it is my purpose to so instruct you that you will know the whole truth concerning the way the war was carried on.

The detention of General McDowell and his corps, while it illustrated the great anxiety of the President and Secretary of War for the safety of Washington, caused the failure of the campaign on the Peninsula.  All the sophistry in the world, my son, cannot change that decision.

General George, with his army, was driven to the James River, and as the enemy, then at Richmond, was between him and General Pope, and might strike either at his pleasure, the government’s fears about Washington so increased that General George was finally recalled from the James, to save the capital.  The result was, as I have told you before, that General Pope was driven back with the wreck of his army to the very gates of the capital, and General George arrived barely in time to save it.  Yes, my son, General George, not only so saved the capital, but extricated the government and the Chief of Staff out of the difficulties they had brought on themselves.

When, then, the victorious rebel army turned aside from the fortifications of Washington, and marched triumphantly into Maryland, strong garrisons were left in the forts, and more troops were poured into the city to insure its safety.  It was, indeed, resolved by the government, which began now to profit by experience, and by the fact that the capital of the nation had twice been placed in extreme peril, that for the future, come what might, it should at least be made secure.  Experienced officers of rank were placed in command of the defenses, north as well as south of the Potomac.  The troops were drilled constantly, and soon became good artillerists.  They were also instructed in and soon became efficient in the art of defending forts.  They studied well, and became familiar with the ground in their front; and, what was more than all, they knew their guns, and how to fight them.  I have been very particular concerning these things, my son, because I desire to impress you with their future importance.

But alas for the instability of human resolutions!  Washington was to be exposed, after all.

You will remember, my son, how everybody was seized with admiration at the ease with which the great General Grant picked up the Army of the Potomac, and moved off with it against the rebels.  That was in the month of May, 1864.  It was then that the army moved against Richmond for the last time:  that is, not to return to us until it had captured that rebel stronghold.