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William Swinton, Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, chapter 3 (search)
usand strong, well drilled and equipped; whereas it is certain that General Johnston's entire force barely exceeded one-third that number. Several months ago General Johnston stated verbally to me that his recollection of the maximum of his strength during this period was 54,000. Since then, however, I have obtained in manuscript the consolidated monthly reports of the Confederate armies. Johnston's strength, October 31, 1861, was 44,131 present for duty (present and absent 66,243); December 31st it was 62,112 present for duty (present and absent 98,088); February 28, 1862, it was 47,617 (present and absent 84,225). It is also true that military operations in a Virginia winter and on a Virginia soil are attended with great difficulties; and no military student will, after the experience of the war, say that it would have been practicable for General McClellan at that season to undertake a grand operation, such as a campaign against Richmond. But it was quite possible to have