o made by the regulations which the general
knew, was thus appointed over him, that his soldierly spirit
rebelled. The humblest soldier of a republic could not endure
that. All this was based upon the theory that the general of the
army was not an officer of the War Department, and hence could not
be appointed acting Secretary of War. What other great department
of the government could recognize the standing army as belonging
to it, if not the Department of War? Surely the little army had
a hard time while it was thus turned out into the cold, not even
its chief recognized as belonging to any department of the government
of the country which they were all sworn to serve, but subject to
the orders of any bureau officer who happened to be the senior in
Washington in hot summer weather, when nearly all had gone to the
mountains or the sea?

That same great lawyer announced in my hearing, very soon after
his accession to power, in response to a suggestion that war service
was entitled to weight in appointments and promotions, that in his
judgment "that book was closed." Could any one of the million of
soldiers still living, and the many more millions of patriots who
are always alive in our country, be expected to support such a
policy as that? In my opinion, that one short speech cost the
national administration more than a million of votes. Soldiers
don't say much through the press, but they quietly talk things over
around their campfires. And I hope many generations will pass away
before they and their sons will cause thus to keep alive the fires
of patriotism kindled by the great struggle for American Union.

Thank God, that "law" did not last many years. There was great
rejoicing throughout the little army when it was again recognized
as belonging to the Department of War. But that cause of rejoicing
was soon beclouded. By another of those inscrutable dispensations
of Providence, another superior, under the title of Assistant
Secretary of War, was interposed between the commander-in-chief of
the army and the general appointed to assist him in the command.
It had been thought, and so stated in writing, that the major-
general commanding, and the ten heads of staff departments and
bureaus, with their many assistants, all educated men of long
experience in the several departments of military affairs, and some
of them tried in war, might give the Secretary all the assistance
he needed, if they were permitted t