I have no doubt, my son, that it will seem strange to you, as it
will to all intelligent readers hereafter, that raw troops should
have been called to defend the capital in the fourth year of a great
war. But the War Department carried on the war according to this
method then. The result is not just now very pleasant to
contemplate; but it was what ordinary foresight might have
predicted. Our error was the enemy's opportunity, and he quickly
proceeded to take advantage of it. Washington was in danger, and
Washington might have been captured with but little trouble had the
enemy sent the right man to command his troops. How near it came
being lost, and how accidentally it was saved, I shall record
hereafter, for the benefit of the future historian.






CHAPTER XI.

ALARMING SYMPTOMS OF THE ENEMY'S APPROACH.





I KNOW you will be anxious to see a portrait of the distinguished
general who was first assigned to the defense of Washington during
the siege. And here I have presented you with a very clever one.