Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/329

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 265 ston was killed and the Confederate invasion of Kentucky baffled. Farragut, on April 24, had won a brilliant naval victory, over the twin forts above the mouths of the Mississippi, which resulted in the capture of New Orleans and the control of the lower Mississippi. After Gen. McClellan s retreat to the James, the president visited the army at Harrison s Landing (July 8), and, after careful consultations with the corps commanders, became convinced that in the actual disposition of the officers and the troops there was no reasonable ex pectation of a successful movement upon Richmond by McClellan. An order was therefore issued for the withdrawal of the army from the James, and, Gen. Halleck having been appointed general-in- chief, Gen. Pope was sent forward from Washing ton with a small force to delay the Confederate army under Gen. Lee until the Army of the Potomac could arrive and be concentrated to sup port him. McClellan s movements, however, were so deliberate, and there was such a want of con fidence and co-operation on the part of his officers toward Gen. Pope, that the National army met with decisive defeat on the same battle-field of Bull Run that saw their first disaster. Gen. Pope, dis heartened by the lack of sympathy and support that he discerned among the most eminent officers of the Army of the Potomac, retreated upon Washington, and Gen. McClellan, who seemed to