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a special steamer to Washington, to consult the military oracles at the Federal seat of Government.
Sunday I heard of his being closeted with President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, and General Halleck.
I suppose we shall have a new programme next week.
You had better finish all the gloves you intend making at once, and send them to the army.
Next month they will be much needed.
After that no use for this winter.
Tell Mr. Haskins I am delighted the turkey was so good.
I was that day up at United States Mine Ford, on the Rappahannock.
Did not get back till late at night.
After our nocturnal repast was over, having been on horseback from early breakfast, you can imagine how I would have enjoyed it. I was, however, thinking so much of General Burnside's playing us such a shabby trick, running off to Washington when we were waiting for him, that I did not then miss my dinner.”
General Lee was surrounded by embarrassments during the winter — the troops were scantily clothed, rations for men and animals meager.
The shelters were poor, and through them broke the sun, rains, and winds.
He could not strike his enemy, but must watch and be patient, for he remembered the favorite maxim of Marlborough, “Patience will overcome all things, and the gods smile on those who can wait.”
He was obliged to send Longstreet with two of his four divisions to the section south of James River, nearly one hundred miles away, to relieve his commissary department and to collect supplies, and was thus deprived of their support when the campaign opened.
Across the river his better sheltered, fed, and clothed opponent had his troubles too. Burnside had lost the confidence of many of his principal officers, and after a harmless attempt to reach Lee by Banks's Ford, six miles above Fredericksburg, further winter operations were suspended.
Then Burnside prepared a sweeping order, dismissing from the Army Generals Hooker, Brooks, Cochrane, and Newton, and relieving from their commands Generals Franklin, W. F. Smith, Sturgis, Ferrero, and Colonel Joseph Taylor, Sumner's adjutant general.
To approve the order, or accept his resignation, was the alternative presented to the President.
Mr. Lincoln
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