Democracy at War, Part I

Modern democratic war was the warfare of mass armies; the logical end, writes John Terraine, was a weapon of mass destruction.

On April 30th, 1864, President Lincoln addressed a letter to General Ulysses S. Grant, the general-in-chief of the armies of the United States.

Grant was about to commit the Army of the Potomac, the following day, to a crossing of the Rapidan River which would, as it turned out (and as he intended), be the beginning of the last campaign of the Civil War.

Lincoln wrote:

‘Not expecting to see you again before the spring campaign opens, I wish to express to you in this way my entire satisfaction with what you have done, so far as I understand it.

The particulars of your plans I neither know nor seek to know. You are vigilant and self-reliant, and pleased with this, I wish not to obtrude any constraints or restraints upon you.

While I am very anxious that any great disaster or capture of our men in great numbers shall be avoided, I know these points are less likely to escape your attention than they would be mine.

To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.

Buy Online Access  Buy Print & Archive Subscription

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.