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some advantage of position, but each exhausted his own strength, . . . while for the want of a general purpose and a general commander to direct and concentrate the whole, it all amounted to nothing but heavy loss to ourselves.
Of course there are matters about which I cannot make inquiry, ... but I know that General Wright has said to a confidential friend that all of Meade's attacks have been made without brains and without generalship.
Additional light is thrown on the state of affairs treated of above by certain private notes which
Dana wrote me that week.
From one of July 2d, I quote as follows:
You can't imagine how delighted we were yesterday to hear of your safety.
Kautz's report had made us fear that most of your command might have been captured.
Still we knew that you were a hard fellow to catch, and that if any way could be found you would find it. Let us have your official report as soon as possible.
... The state of affairs here is better than when you left.
Judging by what I saw in Washington, the people are very despondent and anxious.
Twenty thousand men are on their way here from the Department of the Gulf.
Come over and see us as soon as you can.
From a note of the 7th, I quote as follows:
... I can tell you as a great secret not to be spoken of that Butler is ordered to Fort Monroe and Smith put in command of the troops in the field.
Franklin and Ord are here on a visit.
Porter has just gone out on a flag of truce.
Nothing important.
... I was out at Petersburg with a lot of senators this morning.
