Lincoln, nor
Secretary Stanton, nor General Halleck, whom it has been even more the
fashion to abuse, lacked coolness or energy in the emergency. Indeed,
the President's personal unconcern was such as to give his associates
much uneasiness. On the tenth, he rode out as was his usual custom
during the summer months, to spend the night at the Soldiers' Home, in
the suburbs; but Secretary Stanton, learning that Early was advancing in
heavy force, sent after him to compel his return to the city; and twice
afterward, intent on watching the fighting which took place near Fort
Stevens, he exposed his tall form to the gaze and bullets of the enemy
in a manner to call forth earnest remonstrance from those near him.
The succeeding military events in the Shenandoah valley must here be
summed up in the brief statement that General Sheridan, being placed in
command of the Middle Military Division and given an army of thirty or
forty thousand men, finally drove back the Confederate detachments upon
Richmond, in a series of brilliant victories, and so devastated the
southern end of the valley as to render it untenable for either army;
and by the destruction of the James River Canal and the Virginia Central
Railroad, succeeded in practically carrying out Grant's intention of
effectually closing the avenue of supplies to Richmond from the
northwest.
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