This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX. Buenside's Change Of Base. As the telegraph wires flashed through the land the words of the simple, manly address in which M'Clellan took leave of his army, they told also that his successor assumed his new charge "with diffidence;" and men naturally inquired on what grounds he had been chosen for so weighty a post. A few months earlier, Burnside had only been known as one of the most fortunate of the many retired military men, whom the commission of a State Governor had suddenly elevated from obscurity into the rank of a general officer. His six years of former employ as subaltern in the regular army, would bear no comparison with the long and active service which Sumner and Hooker had seen previous to this war; even should no regard be paid to the severe trials they had passed through with honour in the late campaigns. Nor were his political principles more acceptable to the Cabinet than theirs, he being, at that time nominally a Democrat. But he had the advantage of his name being unconnected with the disasters which had befallen the armies of the Potomac and Virginia. His easy conquests of Roanoke and Newbern--small posts on the coast of North Carolina--had been magnified, by contrast with other men's defeats, into great achievements. He was young in years; reported active, bold, and careful of the comfort of his troops; and when the President named him to his high office, it was thought by the Ministry that he would be more easily controlled than either of the two veterans whom he seemed to supersede. On such grounds, therefore, the selection was made, and hailed with acclamation by the Government organs as the forerunner of success. He at once carried out the new organization of the army which had been enjoined upon...