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SUMNER’S “RIGHT GRAND DIVISION.”

He read it aloud very carefully, and when it was finished I told him I thoughtthere was no ill-feeling in the tone of it. He thought there was, andquickly added, “ Yes, Couch , I expect to be relieved from the Army of thePotomac, and to have a command in the West; and I am going to take threeor four with me,” calling off by their names four prominent officers. Iqueried if “ so and so ” would be taken along, naming one who was generallythought to be a great favorite with McClellan . His curt reply was, “No, Islia’n’t have him.”

This brief conversation opened a new world for me. I had never beforebeen to any extent his confidant, and I pondered whether on a change of thecommanders of the Army of the Potomac the War Department would allowhim to choose the generals whose names had been mentioned. I wonderedwhat would be the future of himself and those who followed his fortunes inthat untried field. These and a crowd of other kindred thoughts quiteoppressed me for several days. But as the time wore on, and preparationsfor the invasion of Virginia were allowed to go on without let or hindrancefrom Washington, I naturally and gladly inferred that McClellan ’s fears ofhostile working against him were groundless. However, the blow came, andsoon enough.

On the 8th of November, just at dark, I had dismounted, and, standingin the snow, was superintending the camp arrangements of my troops?when McClellan came up with his staff, accompanied by General Burnside.McClellan drew in his horse, and the first thing he said was:

“ Couch , I am relieved from the command of the army, and Burnside is mysuccessor.”

I stepped up to him and took hold of his hand, and said, “ General McClel-lan , I am sorry for it.” Then, going around the head of his horse to Burnside,I said, “ General Burnside, I congratulate you.”

Burnside heard what I said to General McClellan ; ho turned away his head,and made a broad gesture as he exclaimed:

“ Couch , don’t say a word about it.”

His manner indicated that he did not wish to talk about the change; thathe thought it was not good policy to do so, nor the place to do it. He told meafterward that he did not like to take the command, but that he did so tokeep it from going to somebody manifestly unfit for it. I assumed that hemeant Hooker. Those of us who were well acquainted with Burnside knewthat he was a brave, loyal man, but we did not think that he had the militaryability to command the Army of the Potomac.

McClellan took leave on the 10th. Fitz John Porter sent notes to thecorps commanders, informing them that McClellan was going away, andsuggesting that we ride about with him. Such a scene as that leave-taking

now nearer Richmond than the enemy is, hy the sen, McClurg & Company) Isaac N. Arnold make*route that you can and lie must take.” And in President Lincoln say: “ With all his failings » sconclusion: “It is all easy if our troops march as soldier, McClellan is a pleasant and scholarly g en 'well as the enemy, and it is unmanly to say they tleman. Ho is an artmirahlo ongineor, hut b®cannot do it. This letter is in no sense an order.” seems to have a special talent for a stationaryIn his “Life of Abraham Lincoln” (Chicago : Jan- engine .”— Editobs.