It was unfortunate for him that the precedents were so numerous in American history for making a successful military man President. This must have embarrassed him no little, and tempted him into much of that correspondence which otherwise he would have avoided. Had it not been for these fatal precedents, he, assuredly, would not have leisurely seated himself at Harrison’s Landing to write to the President a lengthy homily on affairs of State at a moment when it was doubtful whether he would long have an army of which he could be General in command. Finally, it was unfortunate for him that he had not, when learning to command, learned also to obey. This would have spared himself and the country and the cause several entirely superfluous inflictions. Whoever would form a correct estimate of President Lincoln’s connection with the Peninsular campaign and its commander, must bear these facts in mind. Aside from all considerations of a purely military nature, they are indispensable in reaching an unbiassed decision. What dogged the heels of the unfortunate campaign must be briefly told. Vigorous orders from Pope, “headquarters in the saddle,” turned into most melancholy bombast by his failure, occasioned either by want of brains or willful lack of coöperation; a rebel invasion of Maryland; the battle of South Mountain gained under McClellan; Antietam, not the victory it might have been, for which a ream of reasons were given; the withdrawal of the rebels; Government hard at work urging McClellan to follow; supersedure of the latter by the President, who survived his cabinet in clinging to him; appointment of Burnside, much against his wishes; another defeat at Fredericksburg; and the Army of the Potomac in winter-quarters again. Such is the summary in the East for A. D. 1862. In the West, the year closed with the opening of the battle of Murfreesboro and Vicksburg still held out against all our attempts to take it. CHAPTER XIII. FREEDOM TO MILLIONS. Tribune Editorial--Letter to Mr. Greeley--Announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation--Suspension of the _Habeas Corpus_ in certain cases--Order for Observance of the Sabbath--The Emancipation Proclamation. An editorial article having appeared in the _New York Tribune_, in the month of August, 1862, in the form of a letter addressed to the President, severely criticising his action relative to the question of slavery--a letter written in ignorance of the fact that a definite policy had already been matured, which would be announced at a suitable moment--Mr. Lincoln responded as follows: “_Executive Mansion_, Washington, Aug. 22, 1862.