Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ... has held in the front of Knoxville. We are waiting with much interest the results of General Sherman's movement in Alabama. Our earliest information concerning him is expected through insurrectionary channels. April 4, 18(54. -- We are still expecting that the ships-of-war on which the insurgents are relying will not be suffered to depart from European ports. In the confusion incident to national legislation and to the speedy 'organization of vast forces, it has happened that superior advantages have been unconsciously afforded to military enlistments over enlistments for the naval service. In consequence of this error the navy is now suffering for the want of twelve thousand seamen, while the armies of the United States are filled to the entire satisfaction of the government. Measures have, however, been taken to correct this inequality promptly, and I do not apprehend any inability to maintain our blockade and to restore the national prestige on the ocean. . You1 intimate a dissatisfaction with the military operations of the season, and you seem to apprehend a recognition of the insurgents by maritime powers if we shall not be more successful. I do not think that this country can again be alarmed by the fear of foreign recognition of the insurgents. We believe that the war has passed the crisis when recognition could guarantee success to the enemy. Recognition could, therefore, in our view, only enlarge the field of war. At the same time, I am sure that I need not say that we are no less earnestly desirous than we have been, at all times heretofore, to guard against any new complication in our foreign affairs. I think that the discontent with our military operations, which you are experiencing, is the consequence of expectations...