Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 4.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

---

[493] themselves there. They would then be masters of the whole of Louisiana and of Arkansas, and could pursue Kirby Smith's army into Texas. The campaign thus conducted would give great results, but for this no time nor force was to be spared. It was so that Banks had conceived it, and he was careful to specify, in a despatch to Halleck, the conditions which, in his opinion, were essential to success: to wit, the co-operation of the fleet, and consequently the ability of the latter to ascend Red River; the construction of the railroad from De Soto to Shreveport; and the unity of command. To obtain this latter point he generously offered, notwithstanding his seniority, to serve under the command of Sherman or Steele. Grant, on the contrary, considering, with good reason, that all the available forces in the West should be devoted from the beginning of spring to the great campaign which the Army of the Tennessee was about to undertake, seeing in the expedition but a sort of outwork, as we have seen, had consented in order to accomplish it to lend a part of his forces only on the condition that it would be ended in one month's time. Halleck could not decide between two opinions so opposite, nor give only a single chief to the enterprise, and thus allowed a misunderstanding to exist which was to paralyze the action of his lieutenants.

None of the conditions which Banks considered as essential to the success of the expedition were fulfilled: he already had several times refused to undertake it, notwithstanding the solicitations of Halleck. This time, again, the latter had beset his orders with limitations intended doubtless to shield his responsibility, and which allowed his lieutenant not to follow them. It may be asked why Banks yielded on this occasion without making any remarks, and hastened to execute the instructions received from Washington. The motive must be sought in political and commercial considerations totally foreign to strategy, but regarding which we cannot forbear saying here a few words, notwithstanding the clouds with which they have been surrounded. The inquiry made by the Committee of Congress on the Conduct of the War after the failure of Banks' expedition has thrown some light on this delicate subject, which was the object of violent discussions. We will strive to judge of it as impartially as possible.

We have seen that the blockade of the Southern States by suddenly