THE NEW SECRETARY OF WAR. 265 longs to me. Much has recently been tary was the welfare of the Union prissaid of military combinations and organ-oners of war in the Confederate States. izing victory. I hear such phrases with apprehension. They commenced in infidel France with the Italian campaign, and resulted in Waterloo. Who can organize victory? Who can combine the elements of success on the battle-field? We owe our recent victories to the Spirit of the Lord, that moved our soldiers to rush into battle, and filled the hearts of our enemies with terror and dismay. The inspiration that conquered in battle was in the hearts of the soldiers and from on high; and wherever there is the same inspiration there will be the same results. Patriotic spirit with resolute courage in officers and men is a military combination that never failed. We may well rejoice at the recent victories, for they teach us that battles are to be won now and by us in the same and only manner that they were ever won by any people, or in any age, since the days of Joshua, by boldly pursuing and striking the foe. What, under the blessing of Providence, I conceive to be the true organization of victory and military combination to end this war, was declared in a few words by General Grant's message to General Buckner-'I propose to move immediately on your works!'"* Among the orders issued by Secretary Stanton regulating the business of his office, appeared one in relation to the system of contracts which had recently become the subject of much animadversion. In an order dated January 29, he recalled and annulled "all outstanding orders, agencies, authorities, and licenses for the purchase of arms, clothing, or anything else in foreign countries, or of foreign manufacture." It was subsequently, however, found that a regulated supply of arms from abroad was convenient to the due prosecution of the war, as it assumed larger proportions. One of the foremost subjects which engaged the attention of the new SecreNew York Tribune, February 18th and 20th, 1862. A limited system of exchange was already in operation, under which several hundred captives, taken at Bull Run and elsewhere, had been received from Richmond at Fortress Monroe. Numbers remained, scattered through the South. In an order issued January 21st, Secretary Stanton, declaring that "this department recognizes as the first of its duties to take measures for the relief of the brave men who, having imperiled their lives in the military service of the Government, are now prisoners and captives," announced that two commissioners would be appointed "to visit the city of Richmond, in Virginia, and wherever else prisoners belonging to the army of the United States may be held, and there take such measures as may be needful to provide for the wants and contribute to the comfort of such prisoners at the expense of the United States, and to such extent as may be permitted by the authorities under whom such prisoners are held." A few days after, two persons, of elevated position, of the highest integrity, and of excellent discretionthe Rev. Bishop Ames, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Hon. Hamilton Fish, ex-governor of New Yorkwere elected for this delicate mission. In a patriotic spirit they accepted the charge, and, presenting themselves at Fortress Monroe, on their errand, opened correspondence with the Confederate authorities at Richmond. On motives of policy, doubtless with a distrust of the influence or powers of observation of two such influential supporters of the Union, they were refused admittance to the Confederate territory; but negotiations were effected for a general release of prisoners. This included even the excess of prisoners-three hundred-held by the Confederates. These were liberated on agreement that a like number were to be released in case of future captures by the Government at Washington. THE NEW SECRETARY OF WAR. 265 longs to me. Much has recently been tary was the welfare of the Union prissaid of military combinations and organ-oners of war in the Confederate States. izing victory. I hear such phrases with apprehension. They commenced in infidel France with the Italian campaign, and resulted in Waterloo. Who can organize victory? Who can combine the elements of success on the battle-field? We owe our recent victories to the Spirit of the Lord, that moved our soldiers to rush into battle, and filled the hearts of our enemies with terror and dismay. The inspiration that conquered in battle was in the hearts of the soldiers and from on high; and wherever there is the same inspiration there will be the same results. Patriotic spirit with resolute courage in officers and men is a military combination that never failed. We may well rejoice at the recent victories, for they teach us that battles are to be won now and by us in the same and only manner that they were ever won by any people, or in any age, since the days of Joshua, by boldly pursuing and striking the foe. What, under the blessing of Providence, I conceive to be the true organization of victory and military combination to end this war, was declared in a few words by General Grant's message to General Buckner I propose to move immediately on your works!'"* Among the orders issued by Secretary Stanton regulating the business of his office, appeared one in relation to the system of contracts which had recently become the subject of much animadversion. In an order dated January 29, he recalled and annulled "all outstanding orders, agencies, authorities, and licenses for the purchase of arms, clothing, or anything else in foreign countries, or of foreign manufacture." It was subsequently, however, found that a regulated supply of arms from abroad was convenient to the due prosecution of the war, as it assumed larger proportions. One of the foremost subjects which engaged the attention of the new Secre* New York Tribune, February 18th and 20th, 1862. A limited system of exchange was already in operation, under which several hundred captives, taken at Bull Run and elsewhere, had been received from Richmond at Fortress Monroe. Numbers remained, scattered through the South. In an order issued January 21st, Secretary Stanton, declaring that "this department recognizes as the first of its duties to take measures for the relief of the brave men who, having imperiled their lives in the military service of the Government, are now prisoners and captives," announced that two commissioners would be appointed "to visit the city of Richmond, in Virginia, and wherever else prisoners belonging to the army of the United States may be held, and there take such measures as may be needful to provide for the wants and contribute to the comfort of such prisoners at the expense of the United States, and to such extent as may be permitted by the authorities under whom such prisoners are held." A few days after, two persons, of elevated position, of the highest integrity, and of excellent discretionthe Rev. Bishop Ames, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Hon. Hamilton Fish, ex-governor of New Yorkwere elected for this delicate mission. In a patriotic spirit they accepted the charge, and, presenting themselves at Fortress Monroe, on their errand, opened correspondence with the Confederate authorities at Richmond. On motives of policy, doubtless with a distrust of the influence or powers of observation of two such influential supporters of the Union, they were refused admittance to the Confederate territory; but negotiations were effected for a general release of prisoners. This included even the excess of prisoners-three hundred-held by the Confederates. These were liberated on agreement that a like number were to be released in case of future captures by the Government at Washington. THE NEW SECRETARY OF WAR. 265 longs to me. Much has recently been tary was the welfare of the Union prissaid of military combinations and organ-oners of war in the Confederate States. izing victory. I hear such phrases with apprehension. They commenced in infidel France with the Italian campaign, and resulted in Waterloo. Who can organize victory? Who can combine the elements of success on the battle-field? We owe our recent victories to the Spirit of the Lord, that moved our soldiers to rush into battle, and filled the hearts of our enemies with terror and dismay. The inspiration that conquered in battle was in the hearts of the soldiers and from on high; and wherever there is the same inspiration there will be the same results. Patriotic spirit with resolute courage in officers and men is a military combination that never failed. We may well rejoice at the recent victories, for they teach us that battles are to be won now and by us in the same and only manner that they were ever won by any people, or in any age, since the days of Joshua, by boldly pursuing and striking the foe. What, under the blessing of Providence, I conceive to be the true organization of victory and military combination to end this war, was declared in a few words by General Grant's message to General Buckner I propose to move immediately on your works!'"* A limited system of exchange was already in operation, under which several hundred captives, taken at Bull Run and elsewhere, had been received from Richmond at Fortress Monroe. Numbers remained, scattered through the South. In an order issued January 21st, Secretary Stanton, declaring that "this department recognizes as the first of its duties to take measures for the relief of the brave men who, having imperiled their lives in the military service of the Government, are now prisoners and captives,' announced that two commissioners would be appointed "to visit the city of Richmond, in Virginia, and wherever else prisoners belonging to the army of the United States may be held, and there take such measures as may be needful to provide for the wants and contribute to the comfort of such prisoners at the expense of the United States, and to such extent as may be permitted by the authorities under whom such prisoners are held." A few days after, two persons, of elevated position, of the highest integrity, and of excellent discretionthe Rev. Bishop Ames, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Hon. Hamilton Fish, ex-governor of New YorkAmong the orders issued by Secretary were elected for this delicate mission. In Stanton regulating the business of his a patriotic spirit they accepted the charge, office, appeared one in relation to the and, presenting themselves at Fortress system of contracts which had recently Monroe, on their errand, opened corresbecome the subject of much animadver- pondence with the Confederate authorision. In an order dated January 29, he ties at Richmond. On motives of policy, recalled and annulled "all outstanding doubtless with a distrust of the influence orders, agencies, authorities, and licenses or powers of observation of two such for the purchase of arms, clothing, or influential supporters of the Union, they anything else in foreign countries, or of were refused admittance to the Confedforeign manufacture." It was subse-erate territory; but negotiations were quently, however, found that a regulated supply of arms from abroad was convenient to the due prosecution of the war, as it assumed larger proportions. One of the foremost subjects which engaged the attention of the new Secre *New York Tribune, February 18th and 20th, 1862. effected for a general release of prisoners. This included even the excess of prisoners-three hundred-held by the Confederates. These were liberated on agreement that a like number were to be released in case of future captures by the Government at Washington. |