s THE ARMY OF THE I’OTOMAC. South was encamped Avitliin sight of Washington. Works of defence were hastily thrown up around that Capital. The roar of the cannon was heard from time to time along the front of the line. Amid these commotions the army of the 1’otomac came into being. Up to this time, the Federal Government, taken by surprise, had only hit in haste upon certain provisional measures which aggravated instead of dissipating the danger. All the advantages, at the outset of the insurrection, were with the insurgents. They were ready for an armed conflict, the Forth whs not. In truth the work of secession had been long preparing. I'nder the pretext of a military organization to repress slave insurrections, the States of the South had created a permanent militia, ready to march at the first signal. Special schools had been founded in which the sons ot the Slaveholders imbibed the inspiration of those good and bad qualities which combine to form a race of soldiers. .Meanwhile, the northern man, reposing with confidence upon the regular operation of the Constitution, remained absorbed in his own affairs behind his counter. The national army of the Union belonged almost entirely to the men of the South. For many years the Federal power had been in their hands, and they had not failed to fill, with creatures of their own, al] the departments of its administration, and especially the war oflice and the army. 'Mr. Jefferson Davis, long Secretary at War, had done more to accomplish this than any other single man. The disposition of the northern people facilitated his task. Among the laborious and till somewhat puritanical populations of New Fnglaml, the career of arms was looked upon as that of an idler. The Wot Point Academy enjoyvd no great consideration in that part of the i^jimtry, and the heads of families wen; by no means anxious to send their sons to it. Finally,
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