Part 53 (1/2)
”See then what must happen. Now mind you, I would never have restored McClellan to command if I did not know that at this moment he can do the work of putting this disorganized and defeated army into fighting shape better than any other. McClellan thus returned to power must fight. He must win or lose. If he wins I am vindicated and his success is mine. If he loses, he loses his power over the imagination of his men and at last I am master of the situation. I shall back him with every dollar and every man the Nation can send into his next campaign. No matter whether he wins or loses, I _must_ win because the supremacy of the civil power will be restored.”
”I see,” Betty breathed softly.
She rose with a new look of reverence for a great mind.
”And the civil power was not supreme when you restored McClellan to his command?”
”Miss Betty, you'd make a good lawyer!” he laughed.
”Was it?” she persisted.
”No.”
”Thank you,” she said, rising and extending her hand. ”I learned exactly what I wished to know.”
”And you'll stop quarreling?”
”If he's reasonable----”
He lifted his long finger in solemn warning.
”Remember now! This administration is honestly and sincerely backing General McClellan for all it's worth. It has always done this. We are going to try to make even a better record in the next campaign----”
”When will it open?”
”Sooner than any of us wish it, if our scouts report the truth. Flushed with his great victory over Pope, General Lee is sure to invade Maryland. The campaign will be a dangerous and crucial one. The moment Lee crosses the Potomac, his communications with Richmond will be imperiled. If he dares to do it we can crush his army in a great battle, cut his communications with Richmond, drive his men into the Potomac and end the war. I have given McClellan the opportunity of his life. I pray G.o.d to give success----”
Edward appeared at the door.
”Well, what is it?”
”The crowd, sir--they are clamoring to get in.”
Betty hurried into the family apartments to speak to Mrs. Lincoln, her mind in a whirl of resentment against John Vaughan.
The President turned to the crowd which had already poured into the room.
As usual, the cranks and inventors led the way. The inventors found the President an easy man to talk to. His mind was quick to see a good point and always open to conviction. He had once patented a device for getting flat boats over shoals himself. His immediate approval of the first model of Ericsson's famous _Monitor_ had led to its adoption in time to meet and destroy the _Merrimac_ in Hampton Roads on the very day the iron terror had sent his big s.h.i.+ps to the bottom. He allowed no inventor to be turned from the door of the White House no matter how ridiculous his hobby might appear. The inventions relating to the science of war he would test himself on the big open field between the White House grounds and the river.
The first inventor in line carried the model of a new rifle which would shoot sixteen times. The army officers believed in the idea of a single sh.e.l.l breech loader on account of the simplicity of its mechanism. Our muskets were still muzzle loaders and the men were compelled to use ramrods to load.
The President examined the new gun with keen interest, pulled his black, s.h.a.ggy beard thoughtfully, looked at the breathless inventor, and slowly mused:
”Well, now as the fat girl said when she pulled on her stocking, it strikes me there's something in it!”
The inventor laughed with nervous joy, and watched him write a card of endors.e.m.e.nt:
”Take that to the War Department, and tell them I like your idea--I want them to look into it.”
His face wreathed in smiles, the man pushed his way through the crowd, and hurried to the War Department.