said. McClellan retained upon the left bank of the Antietam,
a body of men whose participation in the battle at the opportune moment
would have changed a qualified victory into a rout of the enemy. Lee
was saved at Antietam and at Gettysburg by the incompetency of
McClellan and Meade.

The movements by Lee in crossing the Potomac in 1862 and again in 1863
were most unfortunate for the Confederacy, and with Grant, or Sherman,
or Sheridan, or Logan in command of our forces, must have resulted
disastrously. It was the necessity of the situation that we were
compelled to go to Lee, wherever he might choose to place himself.
When he assumed the offensive, and abandoned his base, he exchanged
positions, and greatly to his disadvantage. That he escaped
destruction was due to his good fortune and to our incompetency and
not to his own merit as commander.

The Sunday morning after Pope's defeat, David Dudley Field called at
my office at the Treasury, and after some conversation upon the
condition of affairs, he said he wished to see the President. I aided
him in securing an interview. What was the object of this interview
with the President I cannot say, but his conversation led my mind to
the conclusion that he thought himself qualified for the command of
the army.

The events of that day made a lasting impression upon my mind. The
city was filled with troops, the hospitals, churches and other
buildings were crowded with the wounded; the streets were stuffed with
ambulances, baggage wagons, artillery, and material of war. The hills
were dotted with tents, and the officers and men were discontented and
almost in a state of mutiny. The demand for the restoration of
McClellan was almost universal. There can be no doubt that he was then
adored by the troops. In six months that feeling had given place to a
feeling of indifference or positive distrust as to his capacity of
integrity of purpose.

During the preceding week, I had made many attempts to secure an
interview with the President in regard to the appointment of collectors
and assessors, as they were to commence their duties under the law
September 1. Finally he gave me Sunday at 11 o'clock. He canvassed
the papers and considered the merits of the candidates with as much
coolness and care apparently, as he would have exhibited in a condition
of profound peace. When the business was ended, he asked me what I
thought about the command of the army. I said unhe