so near Washington. And the poor animals got sick, and began dying,
for there was nothing for them to eat. There was no following Mr.
Beauregard to Richmond over such a muddy road, which looked very
long then, and very dangerous. George was put to his wits to know
what to do next. There was no persuading Mr. Beauregard to stop long
enough to let us strike him square in the stomach, so George hit
upon a great plan, whereby wonders were to be worked in the art of
strategy. He conceived the grand idea of taking his army to sea,
avoiding the mud, and after enjoying a pleasant voyage, finding a
shorter and better road to Richmond. We all know at what a
disadvantage you can take a man when you get in his rear. George
felt that if he could take advantage of this on an enlarged plan he
could have Mr. Beauregard just where he wanted him. That is, if he
could get in his rear before he got to Richmond, he would have him
and his men hived, and could give them a good thrashing, and then
step quietly in and take the city. But it is not so easy a matter to
get in the rear of a gentleman who keeps his eyes open. Nor, my son,
have I ever before heard that it was wise in a great general to
perform a feat in grand circle sailing to gain an advantage over an
adversary who occupied the same roads with him. But George made up
his mind that he knew better than all of us, so he took his army to
sea, became a great navigator as well as a general, and sailed for
the Peninsula, where some good friend had told him there were finer
weather and harder roads.

The greatest of generals, my son, are liable to disappointment. They
may drive the enemy, and win victories; but they cannot control the
elements. That was what bothered George. It was all very pleasant to
give his army an airing at sea, but when he was safely landed on the
Peninsula, he found himself further from Richmond than when he