[521] ungracious task of comparison, but with the simple desire of stating a matter of fact essential to the correct appreciation of the action and its result, it is due to say that that corps could not be considered the élite corps of the army. The old Ninth, than which there never was better, had been reduced by long and varied service to a mere nucleus, with which had been agglomerated (not fused) a mass of new, heterogeneous, and inferior material. The first division was largely made up of foot-artillerists and dismounted cavalry, and the fourth division was composed exclusively of Blacks. To such an extent had the morale of the Ninth Corps become impaired, that its inspecting officer a short time before the assault declared the three White divisions to be in so bad a condition that the division of Blacks was to be preferred for the duty.
If, in view of this circumstance, it be asked why another selection was not made, an answer does not readily present itself. There is, however, in Carnot's work, De la Defence des Places Fortes, a remarkable passage that closely touches this matter. ‘The reasons why our assaults occasionally fail,’ says he, ‘are, in my opinion, various. In the first place, it is a rule that the troops immediately on duty, or near the spot, generally storm or do whatever service may be required. These troops may be most unfit for it, and by this mode the good old custom is done away of employing grenadiers or chosen men for occasions of difficulty. There are no troops in the world that can be taken indiscriminately for brilliant services, and undoubtedly none more so than for storming works. Besides, the officer to whom the command falls may be very unfit for the particular service.’
But, what is even more extraordinary than the selection itself, is the mode in which the selection was made. General Grant refused to permit the black division to be chosen for the assaulting column, and it remained to appoint one of the three divisions of white troops. General Burnside then resolved to determine the choice by casting lots—or, as General Grant has expressed it, by ‘pulling straws or tossing coppers.’ The lot fell to the first division, under command of
