s that
were discussed in all possible bearings around cheerful camp-fires.

Whatever the satisfaction among subordinate officers and the ranks,
Division Head-quarters was a house of mourning. To the General removed
solely it owed its existence. Connected with his choice Corps, it had
basked in the sunshine of his favor. With the removal already ordered,
"the dread of something worse"--a removal nearer home was apprehended.
As a Field Commander, the officer upon whose shoulders rested the
responsibilities of the Division, was entirely unknown previously to his
assuming command. His life hitherto had been of such a nature as not to
add to his capacity as a Commander. Years of quiet clerkly duty in the
Topographical Department may, and doubtless did in his case, make an
excellent engineer or draughtsman, but they afford few men opportunities
for improvement in generalship. During the McClellan regime this source
furnished a heavy proportion of our superior officers. Why, would be
difficult to say on any other hypothesis than that of favoritism. Their
educational influences tend to a defensive policy, which history proves
Generals of ability to have indulged in only upon the severest
necessity. To inability to rise above these strictures of the school,
may be traced the policy which has portrayed upon the historic page, to
our lasting disgrace as a nation, the humiliating spectacle of a mighty
and brave people, with resources almost unlimited, compelled for nearly
two years to defend their Capital against armies greatly inferior to
their own in men and means.

Independently of these educational defects, as they must be called,
there was nothing in either the character or person of the Division
Commander to command respect or inspire fear. Eccentric to a most
whimsical degree, his oddities were the jest of the Division, while they
were not in the least relieved by his extreme nervousness and fidgety
habits of body. That there was nothing to inspire fear is, however,
subject to exception, as his whims kept subordinates in a continual
fever. The art of being practical--adapting himself to circumstances--he
had never learned. It belongs to the department of Common Sense, in
which, unfortunately, there has never been a professor at West Point.
His after life does not seem to have been favorable to its acquirement.
Withal, the hauteur characteristic to Cadets clung to him, and on many
occasions rendered him unfortunate in his in