Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The military events which seem to require a notice, when the mail is departing, are, first, the escape of the insurgents from Kentucky back into the mountains of Tennessee. General Buell’s proceedings are, in some military quarters, thought to have been unnecessary dilatory; he has been relieved, and General Rosecrans, a very vigorous and accomplished officer, assumes the vacated command. Second, General Scholefield has defeated the insurgents in Arkansas, in which State they were attempting to make a stand after their second expulsion from Missouri. Third, General McClellan is on the eve of crossing the Potomac to challenge the insurgents as a beginning of the new campaign in Virginia. Fourth, re-enforcements are going to our forces in North Carolina, South Carolina, and New Orleans. These re-enforcements will have all needful naval co-operation. There are various political manifestations in North Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana, which are not destitute of significancy, but it would be premature perhaps to specify them. It must suffice to say that it is a mistake to assume, as seems to be so freely assumed in Europe, that the President’s proclamation of warning to the insurgent States will be either unfruitful or even unheeded. After there shall have been time to collect and ascertain the true effect of the extraordinary speeches and publications concerning our national affairs, which the last mail has brought us from Europe, I shall give you the impressions they shall have made on the mind of the President.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.