CHAPTER 18: “MY WORD IS OUT”
Halleck ordered McClellan…Alexandria: Henry W. Halleck to EMS, August 30, 1862, in OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XII, Part III, p. 739; John J. Hennessy, Return to Bull Run: The Campaign and Battle of Second Manassas (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993), p. 10.
He argued ferociously…“disastrous in the extreme”: GBM to Henry W. Halleck, August 4, 1862, in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, pp. 383–84 (quote p. 383).
His only hope…of his command: GBM to MEM, August 8, [1862], in ibid., p. 388.
After delaying…until August 24: GBM to Henry W. Halleck, August 12, [1862], in ibid., pp. 390–93; Henry W. Halleck to EMS, August 30, 1862, in OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XII, Part III, p. 739.
General Lee moved north…the combined forces of Lee, Longstreet, and Jackson: Hennessy, Return to Bull Run, pp. 50–51, 55, 92–93, 122–23, 136.
“What is the stake?…cause also”: WHS to FAS[?], August 21, 1862, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 124.
a comet appeared in the northern sky: NR, August 27, 1862.
“When beggars die”: William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act II, sc.
2. 474 Although McClellan agreed…“leave of absence!”: Sears, George B. McClellan, pp. 252–56; GBM to MEM, August 24, [1862], in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 404 (quote).
“Pope is beaten…Washn again”: GBM to MEM, August 23, [1862], in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 400.
“the smell of the gunpowder…perceptible”: Star, August 30, 1862.
“distant thunder”: NR, September 1, 1862.
gathered on street corners…rumors flew: Leech, Reveille in Washington, p. 188; entry for September 3, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 106.
“Stonewall Jackson…about equal proportions”: NR, September 1, 1862.
“prepared to stay all night, if necessary”: Bates, Lincoln in the Telegraph Office, p. 118.
He wired various generals…news from Manassas: AL to Ambrose Burnside, August 29, 1862, in CW, V, p. 398; Lincoln to Herman Haupt, August 29, 1862, in ibid., p. 399; Lincoln to GBM, August 29, 1862 in ibid.; Bates, Lincoln in the Telegraph Office, pp. 119–21.
The president now had…“perfectly safe”: GBM to AL, August 29, 1862, Lincoln Papers.
John Hay met the president…“his own scrape”: “[1 September 1862, Monday],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 36–37.
McClellan’s delay…“my opinion, required”: EMS to Henry W. Halleck, August 28, 1862, in OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XII, Part III, p. 706; Henry W. Halleck to EMS, August 30, 1862, in ibid., p. 739 (quote).
“like throwing water…that in writing”: SPC, paraphrased in entry for September 1, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 102.
Stanton volunteered…agreement regarding McClellan: Entries for August 29–30, 1862, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 366–67.
“Never before…sink into contempt”: EB to Hamilton Gamble, September 1, 1862, Bates Papers, MoSHi.
written in Stanton’s distinctive back-sloping script: Entry for September 1, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 100.
“unwilling to be…commanded by General Pope”: Flower, Edwin McMasters Stanton, pp. 176–77.
Smith was persuaded…to Blair or anyone else: Entry for August 31, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), pp. 93–95. Howard Beale has identified some of the language included in the 1911 edition of Welles’s published diary as having been added later to the original manuscript diary. See Beale’s emendations in individual diary entries for subsequent changes made in Welles’s diary.
Stanton had invited Lincoln…“glad tidings at sunrise”: “[1 September 1862, Monday],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 37.
When Welles stopped by…“disrespectful to the President”: Entry for August 31, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), pp. 95–98 (quotes pp. 97–98).
“had called us…against him”: Entry for September 1, 1862, ibid., pp. 101–02.
“he knew of no particular”…cabal against the president: Entry for August 31, 1862, ibid., p. 98.
“about Eight oclock…‘I am afraid’”: “[1 September 1862, Monday],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 37–38.
As rumors spread…16,000 casualties: “5 September 1862, Friday,” in ibid., p. 38; FWS to WHS, September 1, 1862, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 126; McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, p. 532.
“Jeff. Davis…before the National Capital”: NYT, August 31, 1862.
put the president in an untenable…angrier he became: “1 September 1862, Monday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 37.
“There is no…now to sacrifice”: AL, quoted in “5 September 1862, Friday,” in ibid., pp. 38–39.
When Halleck recommended…Lincoln agreed: Entry for September 12, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 124; Sears, George B. McClellan, p. 260.
Bates rewrote the protest…he agreed McClellan should go: Entry for September 1, 1862, ibid., pp. 100–03 (quotes); entry for September 1, 1863, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 367–68.
gathered at noon…messy controversy over McClellan: Entry for September 2, 1862, in Lincoln Day by Day, Vol. III, p. 137; entry for September 2, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 104 (quote).
Jenny was expecting…Clara, was dying: Janet W. Seward, “Personal Experiences of the Civil War,” box 132, Seward Papers, NRU; FAS to WHS, August 24, September 7, 1862, reel 114, Seward Papers; FAS to WHS, September 10, 1862, reel 116, Seward Papers.
When he heard…cut his vacation short: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 127.
the president was called out: Entry for September 2, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 104.
“in a suppressed voice…prove a national calamity”: Ibid., pp. 104–05 (quotes); entry for September 2, 1862, in Lincoln Day by Day, Vol. III, p. 137.
Stanton, recognizing…“a drooping leaf”: Evening Post, New York, July 13, 1891 (quote); Flower, Edwin McMasters Stanton, p. 179.
“seemed wrung…to hang himself”: EB, quoted in footnote to AL, “Meditation on the Divine Will,” [September 2, 1862?], in CW, V, p. 404 n1.
“In great contests…it shall not end yet”: AL, “Meditation on the Divine Will,” [September 2, 1862?], in ibid., pp. 403–04.
Seward drove immediately…“during his absence”: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 127.
“What is the use…should have known it”: WHS, quoted in “[Mid-September 1862?],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 40.
Seward turned to history…“preserve hopefulness”: WHS to FS, c. November 1862, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 144.
Seward did not question…“sea of revolution”: WHS to FAS, September 20, 1862, quoted in ibid., p. 132.
a president had to work: “5 September 1862, Friday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 38.
McClellan smugly returned to his old headquarters: FWS to WHS, September 3, 1862, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 127.
“Again I have…‘away from us again’”: GBM to MEM, September 5, [1862], in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 435.
crossed the Potomac…three cigars: James M. McPherson, Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam. Pivotal Moments in American History Series (New York: Oxford University Press, 2002), pp. 98, 104–05, 107–08. For actual “Lost Orders,” see “Special Orders, No. 191, Hd Qrs Army of Northern Va, Sept 9th 1862,” reel 31, McClellan Papers, DLC.
the Marylanders greeted…their countryside: GBM to MEM, September 12 and 14, [1862], and GBM to AL, September 13, [1862], in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, pp. 450, 458, 453.
“We are in…battle of the age”: GBM to MEM, [September] 17, [1862], in ibid., p. 468.
casualties higher than D-Day: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, p. 544.
“Our victory was…so completely”: GBM to MEM, Sep
tember 20, [1862], in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 473.
Lincoln was thrilled…and allowed Lee to cross: AL to GBM, September 15, 1862, CW, V, p. 426; GBM to Henry W. Halleck, September 19 and 20, 1862, in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, pp. 470, 475.
“At last our Generals…National crisis”: NYT, September 18, 1862.
“Sept. 17…of its downfall”: NYT, September 20, 1862.
On September 22…“a graver tone”: Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 24; entry for September 22, 1862, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 393 (quote); EMS, quoted by Judge Hamilton Ward in interview in the Lockport Journal, May 21, 1893, reprinted in Whipple, The Story-Life of Lincoln, p. 421.
reminding his colleagues…“to my Maker”: AL, quoted in entry for September 22, 1862, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 393–94.
“there were occasions…the Supreme Will”: Welles, “History of Emancipation,” Galaxy (1872), p. 847.
not seeking “advice”…suggestions on language: AL, paraphrased in entry for September 22, 1862, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 394.
“made a very emphatic…the measure”: Welles, “History of Emancipation,” Galaxy (1872), p. 846.
Blair reiterated…the fall elections: Entry for September 22, 1862, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 395.
“maintain…present President”?: WHS, quoted in entry for September 22, 1862, in ibid., p. 394.
“it was not my way…take this ground”: AL, quoted in Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, pp. 23–24.
“I can only trust…never forget them”: AL, “Reply to Serenade in Honor of Emancipation Proclamation,” September 24, 1862, in CW, V, p. 438.
proceeded to Chase’s house…“that horrible name”: “[24 September 1862, Wednesday],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 41 (quote); entry for September 24, 1862, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 399; NYT, September 25, 1862.
“in the meanest…evoke a generous thrill”: Entry for September 23, 1862, in Gurowski, Diary from March 4, 1861 to November 12, 1862, p. 278.
“did not…of a single negro”: Fessenden, paraphrased in entry for November 28, 1862, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 587.
“We shout for joy…confide in his word”: Douglass’ Monthly (October 1862).
“My word is out…take it back”: AL, quoted in George S. Boutwell, Speeches and Papers Relating to the Rebellion and the Overthrow of Slavery (Boston: Little, Brown, 1867), p. 362.
“render eternal…the two sections”: The Times (London), quoted in NYT, September 30, 1862.
Richmond Enquirer charged…“plots their death”: Richmond Enquirer, October 1, 1862, quoted in Philadelphia Inquirer, October 6, 1862.
“said he had studied…than they did”: “[24 September 1862, Wednesday],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 41.
“be enthusiastically…great act of the age”: Hannibal Hamlin to AL, September 25, 1862, Lincoln Papers.
“while commendation…not very satisfactory”: AL to Hannibal Hamlin, September 28, 1862, in CW, V, p. 444.
“Stanton must leave…old place to me”: GBM to MEM, September 20, [1862], in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 476.
he would resign…“a servile insurrection”: GBM to MEM, September 25, [1862], in ibid., p. 481.
McClellan drafted a letter…not to send the letter: Sears, George B. McClellan, pp. 326–27.
Though Stanton and Chase…considered resigning: Entries for September 25 and October 3, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), pp. 148–49, 160–61.
Lincoln had made…relieved from duty: AL, quoted in “25 September 1863, Sunday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 232.
Lincoln journeyed…early in October: Entry for October 1, 1862, in Lincoln Day by Day, Vol. III, p. 143; John G. Nicolay and John Hay, Abraham Lincoln: A History, Vol. VI (New York: Century Co., 1917), p. 174.
Halleck, fearing…“see my soldiers”: AL, quoted in “Lincoln Visits the Army of the Potomac,” Lincoln Lore, no. 1277, September 28, 1953.
As the regiments…“greatly amused the company”: NYH, October 5, 1862.
accommodations at Antietam: “Lincoln Visits the Army of the Potomac,” Lincoln Lore, no. 1277, September 28, 1953.
his “over-cautiousness”: AL to GBM, October 13, 1862, Lincoln Papers.
“was very affable…very kind personally”: GBM to MEM, October 5, [1862], in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 490.
“real purpose…advance into Virginia”: GBM to MEM, October 2, [1862], in ibid., p. 488.
“if I were…trivial”: AL, “Speech at Frederick, Maryland,” October 4, 1862, in CW, V, p. 450.
“May our children…and his compeers”: AL, “Second Speech at Frederick, Maryland,” October 4, 1862, in ibid., p. 450.
Lincoln had Halleck telegraph…“roads are good”: Henry W. Halleck to GBM, October 6, 1862, in OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XIX, Part II, p. 10.
found all manner of excuses: GBM to Henry W. Halleck, October 7, 9, 11, and 18, 1862, and GBM to AL, October 17 and 30, 1862, in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, pp. 493, 495, 499, 502, 516.
“Will you pardon me…fatigue anything?”: AL to GBM, October [25], 1862, in CW, V, p. 474.
“Our war on rebellion…specimen after all”: Entry for October 23, 1862, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, p. 267.
an “ill wind” of discontent: WHS to FS, October 1862, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, pp. 141, 142 (quote p. 141).
the midterm November elections…“hurt to laugh”: Sears, George B. McClellan, p. 335; Hendrick, Lincoln’s War Cabinet, p. 325; AL, quoted in Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln: The War Years, Vol. I, p. 611 (quote).
“I began…I relieved him”: AL, quoted in “25 September 1863, Sunday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 232.
McClellan received…“visible on my face”: GBM to MEM, November 7, [1862], in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 520.
“More than a hundred…shed in profusion”: National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., November 14, 1862.
“In parting…an indissoluble tie”: GBM to the Army of the Potomac, November 7, 1862, in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 521.
choice of Burnside proved unfortunate: Darius N. Couch, “Sumner’s ‘Right Grand Division,’” in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. III, Pt. 1, p. 106; Schurz, Reminiscences, Vol. II, pp. 397–98.
“ten times…as he has head”: Entry for January 1, 1863, Fanny Seward diary, Seward Papers.
Fredericksburg Campaign: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, pp. 571–72; Spencer C. Tucker, “Fredericksburg, First Battle of,” in Encyclopedia of the American Civil War, ed. Heidler and Heidler, pp. 774–79.
“The courage…popular government”: AL, “Congratulations to the Army of the Potomac,” December 22, 1862, in CW, VI, p. 13.
“awful arithmetic…Confederacy gone”: AL, paraphrased in Stoddard, Inside the White House in War Times, p. 101.
“more depressed…[his] life”: Entry for December 18, 1862, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 601.
Tuesday, December 16…“cause was lost”: Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, pp. 231–32 (quote p. 232).
Chase had claimed…“of the cabinet”: Benjamin Wade, paraphrased in entry for December 16, 1862, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 597.
had repeatedly griped…“salvation of the country”: SPC to John Sherman, September 20, 1862, reel 22, Chase Papers (quote); SPC to Zachariah Chandler, September 20, 1862, reel 1, Chandler Papers, DLC.
“paralizing influence…the President”: Boston Commonwealth, December 6, 1862, quoted in David Donald, Charles Sumner and the Rights of Man (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1970), p. 87.
“President de facto…to Uncle Abe’s nose”: Chicago Tribune, quoted in Thomas, Abraham Lincoln, p. 352.
“controlling influence…of
the President”: Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, p. 232.
“should go in…dismissal of Mr Seward”: Benjamin Wade, paraphrased in entry for December 16, 1862, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 597.
“that measures should…to the war”: Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, p. 234.
“a want of confidence…from the Cabinet”: Senator Grimes, paraphrased in ibid., p. 233.
Fessenden asked…“on mere rumors”: Ibid., p. 235.
“had no evidence…our cause greatly”: Entry for December 16, 1862, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, pp. 597–98.
“without entire…productive of evil”: Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, p. 236.
“give time for reflection”: Entry for December 16, 1862, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 598.
Preston King felt…“‘I can’t get out’”: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, pp. 146–47 (quotes); entry for December 19, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 194.
“They wish to…impose upon a child”: Entry for December 18, 1862, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 600.
“disappointed…and chagrined”: Entry for December 20, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 201.
Frances had journeyed…family for Christmas: Entry for December 22, 1862, Fanny Seward diary, Seward Papers.
“Do not come…& uncomfortable night”: Entry for c. December 18 and 20, 1862, Fanny Seward diary, Seward Papers.
Charles Sumner was particularly…of the Confederates: Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, p. 242.
Republican senators convened…December 18: Ibid., pp. 236–38.
“I saw in a moment…ray of hope”: Entry for December 18, 1862, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 600.
during a three-hour session: Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, p. 242.
Jacob Collamer…“purpose and action”: Committee of Nine paper, quoted in ibid., p. 239.