John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

[202] situation much more fully than it is set forth here and agreed that Dana must be taken into complete confidence, that nothing should be withheld from him, and that everything personal as well as official, unfavorable as well as favorable, must be made known to him, without any reservation whatever. We felt that it would be better for all concerned that he should be received in this manner than left in doubt, suspicion, and concealment to learn what would doubtless be poured into his ears by Grant's enemies. We sincerely believed that Grant, whatever might be his faults and weaknesses, was a far safer man to command the army than any other general in it, or than any that might be sent to it from another field. Indeed, we felt sure that we should win with him, if his hands were loyally upheld while carrying out the plans which were surely coming to the front. At all events, we acted on this theory with Grant's full concurrence, and the magnificent results which followed more than confirmed our theory and vindicated our conduct.

After the foregoing statement it will be understood that Dana was received with every mark of respect and consideration. He was taken into one of the headquarters' messes on the footing of an officer of the highest rank. Horses were furnished him when we had them, tents and transportation were provided for him, and he became our trusted companion and friend, to whom every important fact was made known, from whom nothing was concealed. His eyes were still weak; it was almost impossible for him to write by candle or lamp light, and as mine were good he frequently asked me to act as his amanuensis. While he did not necessarily show us his despatches sent or received, he did not conceal their contents nor his views from us, but interchanged them fully for ours, and from the first to the last day of his connection with us showed himself in every way to be worthy of the respect and confidence of Grant