James Ford Rhodes (18481927). History of the Civil War, 18611865
1917. moreover, the failure to capture this stronghold was not
at this time regarded as so serious a mishap as later it came to
be. Kindness of heart and humanity rather than disappointment in
his general were shown in his words when contemplated battles
were spoken of. I cannot pretend to advise, he said, but I do
sincerely hope that all may be accomplished with as little
bloodshed as possible.1 Horace Porter has given an interesting
account of this visit, which one loves to dwell upon for a
moment in the midst of the gloom which had settled down on the
Army of the Potomac and was soon to spread over the country. The
President on horseback, wearing a high silk hat, a frock coat
and black trousers, rode with Grant along the line. A civilian
mounted was always an odd sight amid the crowd of uniformed and
epauletted officers; and Lincoln, although a good horseman, was
always awkward and, being now covered with dust, presented the
appearance of a c