

“You howled when Butler went to New Orleans. President Abraham Lincoln reacts to calls for the controversial Benjamin Butler to Affairs are gloomy enough-and the question is how Richmond and Virginia War Office: “The Secretary had his head between his knees before the fire when I first went in


Jones finds a despondent James Seddon awaiting when he comes to work at the I am glad to say that I appreciated Shermanįrom the first feeling him to be what he has proven to the world he is.” January 2, 1865 To popular favor as he now is would stop to say a word in defence of the only oneīetween himself and the highest in command. “Sherman’s letter shows how noble a man he is. The Grant and Sherman connection could not be closer, as “Ulys.” explains to his wife, Julia: William Henry King concludes: “I suppose we may regard this as the first round in the ladder of descent-a pretty Lee takeĪfter cataloging briefly the recent developments as he understands them from the Trans-Mississippi, To yield the position to no man during his term of service. Lee at the head of affairs and the President is resolved Jones notes the disaffection in the ranks of many long-standing politicians. Intellect requisite for the gigantic measures needed in such a crisis, nor the healthĪnd physique for the labors devolving on him. He is probably not equal to the role he is now called to play. Over the Confederate States, if independence were attained and we had peace. “The President is considered really a man of ability, and eminently qualified to preside Jones offers his view on an embattled Jefferson Davis: Victory crowns our arms and slavery is dying.”Ĭonfederate war clerk John B. communications are cut and many of them wholly destroyed, itsĪrmies are scattered all but one and its men all dead or in the army while our resources Iĭo not beleive the Confederacy can long survive the disasters that have overtaken My whole duty to Him, my fellow man and to my country.”Īs he contemplates another year in the field, Emerson Opdycke is encouraged: “Peace seems to me not only possible but probably, during the next few months. When will all this stop? The future looks gloomy, and almost hopeless, I wonder if Thou art gone, and with thee, many a noble and brave soldier. To the next: “The old year is gone with all its hopes, sorrows, losses, trials, dangers, sufferings,ĭeaths, bloody battles and still more bloody heartaches and anxieties. No wonderĬonfederate artillerist Henry Robinson Berkeley notes the transition from one year It was an awful cold night for anybody to lay out of doors. Tho’ many years older than he, I nearlyįroze myself. Guerrant observes, “The ‘Old Year’ froze to death last night.
