The Secretary was very timid, and it was impossible for him to avoid interfering with the armies covering the capital when it was sought to defend it by an offensive movement against the army guarding the Confederate capital.

He could see our weakness, but he could not see that the enemy was in danger.

The enemy would not have been in danger if Mr.Stanton had been in the field.

These characteristics of the two officials were clearly shown shortly after Early came so near getting into the capital.
Among the army and corps commanders who served with me during the war between the States, and who attracted much public attention, but of whose ability as soldiers I have not yet given any estimate, are Meade, Hancock, Sedgwick, Burnside, Terry and Hooker.

There were others of great merit, such as Griffin, Humphreys, Wright and Mackenzie.