While at Cairo I had watched with very great interest the operations of the Army of the Potomac, looking upon that as the main field of the war.

I had no idea, myself, of ever having any large command, nor did I suppose that I was equal to one; but I had the vanity to think that as a cavalry officer I might succeed very well in the command of a brigade.

On one occasion, in talking about this to my staff officers, all of whom were civilians without any military education whatever, I said that I would give anything if I were commanding a brigade of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac and I believed I could do some good.

Captain Hillyer spoke up and suggested that I make application to be transferred there to command the cavalry.
I then told him that I would cut my right arm off first, and mentioned this superstition.
In time of war the President, being by the Constitution Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, is responsible for the selection of commanders.

He should not be embarrassed in making his selections.