It was not a reflection on that officer, however, for I did not know but that he had been as efficient as any other cavalry commander.
Banks in the Department of the Gulf was ordered to assemble all the troops he had at New Orleans in time to join in the general move, Mobile to be his objective.
At this time I was not entirely decided as to whether I should move the Army of the Potomac by the right flank of the enemy, or by his left.
Each plan presented advantages.

(*25) If by his right--my left--the Potomac, Chesapeake Bay and tributaries would furnish us an easy hauling distance of every position the army could occupy from the Rapidan to the James River.

But Lee could, if he chose, detach or move his whole army north on a line rather interior to the one I would have to take in following.

A movement by his left--our right--would obviate this; but all that was done would have to be done with the supplies and ammunition we started with.

All idea of adopting this latter plan was abandoned when the limited quantity of supplies possible to take with us was considered.