This was evidently an egregious blunder.

Neither by education, temper, temperament, nor by any other trait of his character, was Mr.Stanton fitted for this duty.

He was very positively and in a high degree unfitted for it.

With three Major- Generals--McDowell, Banks, and Fremont--exercising independent commands in the Potomac Valley, with their movements exerting a direct and important influence upon the fortunes of the main army under McClellan, there was especial need of a cool-headed, experienced, able general at the Capital.

Had one of the three great soldiers who have been at the head of the army since the close of the war, then been in chief command at Washington, there is little hazard in saying that the brilliant and dashing tactics of Stonewall Jackson would not have been successful, and that if General McClellan had failed before Richmond, it would not have been for lack of timely and adequate re-enforcement.
Before these military disasters occurred, Congress had made progress in its legislation against the institution of Slavery.