The battle of Ball’s Bluff--the first under the direction of the new commander on the Potomac--fought October 21st was but Bull Run repeated; happily, however, on a somewhat smaller scale. A convenient scapegoat upon whom to throw the responsibility--General Stone--was found, and the indignation of the country was measurably, and for the time, appeased. Directly after this affair, the veteran Scott having asked to be relieved from active service, his request was granted in the following highly complimentary order: “_Executive Mansion, Washington_, Nov. 1, 1861. “On the 1st day of November, A. D., 1861, upon his own application to the President of the United States, Brevet Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott is ordered to be placed, and hereby is placed, upon the list of retired officers of the Army of the United States, without reduction in his current pay, subsistence, or allowances. “The American people will hear with sadness and deep emotion that General Scott has withdrawn from the active control of the army, while the President and the unanimous Cabinet express their own and the nation’s sympathy in his personal affliction, and their profound sense of the important public services rendered by him to his country during his long and brilliant career, among which will ever be gratefully distinguished his faithful devotion to the Constitution, the Union, and the flag, when assailed by a parricidal rebellion. “ABRAHAM LINCOLN.” To General McClellan, now the ranking officer of the army, the duties of General-in-chief were assigned by the President. The autumnal months passed away--gorgeous and golden--men thought them made for fighting, if fighting must be; but no fighting for the Army of the Potomac--an occasional skirmish only--mainly reviews. The winter months came--the dry season had passed. The Grand Army being now thoroughly organized, disciplined, and equipped went--to fight?--no--into winter quarters. And the people, patient ever and forgiving, when inclination impels, forgot Ball’s Bluff--forgot what they had hoped for--trusted in the prudent caution of the general in command, and waited for the springtide. CHAPTER X. THE CONGRESS OF 1861-2. The Military Situation--Seizure of Mason and Slidell--Opposition to the Administration--President’s Message--Financial Legislation--Committee on the Conduct of the War--Confiscation Bill.