Ayres & Wade

“ He was obliged to create all—army, artillery, small arms, horses, the means of feeding the men, every thing in fact—for we were utterlu destitute of every thing, and we had neither money to buy, nor access to the proper markets, if we had had it. To the amazement of the whole world, and to the amazement of no portion of it so profoundly as to the Yankees, a powerful army was created, was led to the field, and has been constantly victorious ever since. It is one of the miracles of history, and the credit of having wrought it is due more to General Cooper than to all other persons combined. ”

“ To originate armies out of the mass of a population unused to the stern discipline of the camp—to create the munitions of war out of literally nothing—to form soldiers out of a population brave indeed, but undisciplined and impatient of restraint—this is a task quite as difficult as to lead them to victory after they have been once organized. ”

“ GENERAL SAMUEL COOPER.
The world has seen but one Cæsar and one Napoleon, nor is it probable that it will see another of either for ten centuries to come. Yet, when armies are already organized, and provided with all the weapons and munitions of war, there will always be found generals to lead them with, at least, tolerable ability. ”