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While the army lay near
Westover, resting from its toils,
General Jackson called his friend, the
Honorable Mr. Boteler, to his tent, to communicate his views of the future conduct of the war, and to beg that on his next visit to
Richmond, he would impress them upon the
Government.
He said that it was manifest by every sign, that
McClellan's was a thoroughly beaten army, and was no longer capable of anything, until it was reorganized and reinforced.
There was danger, he foresaw, of repeating the error of Manassa's Junction; when the season of victory was let slip by an ill-timed inaction, and the enemy was allowed full leisure to repair his strength.
Now, since it was determined not to attempt the destruction of
McClellan where he lay, the Confederate army should at once leave the malarious district, move northward, and carry the horrors of invasion from their own borders, to those of the guilty assailants.
This, he said, was the way to bring them to their senses, and to end the war. And it was within the power of the Confederate Government to make a successful invasion, if their resources were rightly concentrated.
Sixty thousand men could march into
Maryland, and threaten
Washington City, producing most valuable results.
But, he added; while he wished these views to be laid before the
President, he would disclaim earnestly the charge of self-seeking, in advocating them.
He wished to follow, and
