Why don't McClellan go to work and thrash the rebels ?" "You must remember that the rebels have about as many men as we have," answered his mother.

"Perhaps, if McClellan should undertake to 'thrash' the rebels, as you say, he would get whipped himself" "That makes no difference," answered Frank.

"If I was in his place, and the rebels _should_ whip me, it wouldn't do any good, for I'd renew the battle every day, as long as I had a man left." It was toward the close of the first year of the war, during the "masterly inactivity" of the Army of the Potomac.

For almost eight months McClellan had been lying idle in his encampment, holding in check that splendid army, which, with one blow, could have crushed out the rebellion, and allowing the rebels ample time to encircle their capital with fortifications, before which the blood of loyal men was to be poured out like water.

The people of the North were growing impatient; and "On to Richmond!" was the cry from every part of the land.
From the time Fort Sumter had fallen, Frank had been deeply interested in what as going on.