Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to his father
Boston, January 19, 1865
How was the capture of Fort Fisher received in England? That was a blow and a surprise which will, indeed, be very sweet to you. It was meant for the English market. Your friends in Liverpool cannot well but squirm under that blow and the ship building interest of the Clyde will languish. As to the rebel loan, it is well that it is not largely held by very exemplary men. As bearing on your position I suppose this is the most important success of the war, after the capture of New Orleans. It strikes a staggering blow at the weak point of all English sympathy with the rebellion and must go far to close to them the purse-strings of Europe. I am most curious to receive your reflections and feelings on the announcement of our success. How many more such vital blows as Thomas’ victory, Sherman’s march and the sealing up of Wilmington, can the Confederacy sustain and survive? Is there no end to the endurance of those people? I hope you will keep me informed of the state of English opinion, for I look all along to see the coming extinction of the rebellion first foreshadowed in European discussions.
As to General Butler, what a sad fiasco he has made! Ben Butler, of all men alive, to be extinguished in ridicule! His mistake was worse than a crime, it was a blunder, and by his published orders and unmilitary language he has accumulated upon ill luck every possible form of aggravation. It is hard to imagine how even his audacious vitality can survive such an ingenious muddle. He seems first to have cut his own throat, and then blown out his brains. . . .
