hough won at a
great sacrifice, inspired the western army with confidence, and
gave General Sherman his first opportunity to prove his ability as
a soldier. The timid handling of that army by Halleck and its
subsequent dispersion by his orders, and the general operations of
both the armies in the west and in Virginia, created a feeling of
despondency in the loyal states which was manifested in the election
in the fall of 1862. The military operations in the early part of
1863 did not tend to restore confidence.

At this period I received the following letter from Secretary
Stanton, which evidenced his appreciation of General Sherman:

"Washington, D. C., December 7, 1862.
"Hon. John Sherman.

"Dear Sir:--The general's letter is returned herewith, having been
read with much interest and great admiration of his wisdom and
patriotism. If our armies were commanded by such generals we could
not fail to have a speedy restoration of the authority of the
government, and an end of the war.

"I beg you to give him my warmest regards, and no effort of mine
will be spared to secure to the government the fullest exercise of
his abilities. With thanks for the favor, I am,

"Yours truly,
"Edwin M. Stanton."

The attack by General Sherman upon the defenses of Vicksburg had
been repulsed, but the effect of this had been counteracted by the
capture of Arkansas post with over 5,000 prisoners. General Grant
had failed in his operations in Mississippi. General Hooker had
been defeated at Chancellorsville, and Lee was preparing to make
an advance into Maryland and Pennsylvania.

On May 1, 1863, Clement L. Vallandigham, for several years a Member
of Congress from Ohio, in a speech made at Mount Vernon, denounced
the government with great violence, and, especially, an order issued
by General Ambrose E. Burnside, commanding the department of the
Ohio, announcing that "all persons, found within our lines, who
commit acts for the benefit of the enemies of our country, will be
tried as spies or traitors, and if convicted will suffer death."
Burnside enumerated among the things which came within his order,
the writing or carrying of secret letters, passing the lines for
treasonable purposes, recruiting for the Confederate service. He
said: "The habit of declaring sympathy for the enemy will not be
allowed in this department; persons committing such offenses will
be at once arrested, with a view to being tried or sent beyond