There was no solid foundation for this gossip.

A considerable increase of the regular army was authorized by law, and corresponding appointments were made, from major-general downward.

It was at this time that Sherman was made colonel of one of the new regiments of regulars.

It would perhaps have been wiser to treat the regular commissions as prizes to be won only by conspicuous and successful service in the field, as was done later; but this policy was not then adopted, and the newly created offices were filled in all grades.

They were, of course, given to men from whom great services could reasonably be expected; but when none had been tested in the great operations of war, every appointment was at the risk that the officer might not show the special talent for command which makes a general.