had they have been - organized & free from the Government one year longer - or even had they have had Buchanon & his cabinet one year longer to have used so that they could have had a government revenue - systematized so that their curency would have been acknowledged - There are several iffs in the way - & they came pretty near it too.  Well what I want to get at is that they would have been hard to handle  I don't want you to think that even with this advantage I doubt the ability of the Government to finaly triumph - but at a more fearful cost - The resources of the south are not understood or appreciated at the north - you will be surprised when I tell you that away down here nearly at the mouth of the Mississippi there are great fields of corn in tassle, heavy, fine looking corn, as fine potatoes as I ever saw the last of May - new potatoes as large as your fist, yes larger.  Beens, Peas, Lettuce, Onions, & every thing else & more than you ever seen in a garden, fruits of all kinds - except apples.  We underestimated their strength & resources.  We have handled them with gloves on & lightly too when we take a proper view of their wickedness - We should have rolled up our sleeves & went at them in earnest - But Unconditional Grant is at them in earnest & "proposes to take the sumer if necessary - Last night I read the Chicago Tribune of the 11th, There was "much valuable information" in it.  The unanimous nomination of Lincoln for the presidency & Johnson of Tenn for Vice P, Gen Oglesby for gov of Ill. the position of Grants and Shermans armies - new soldiers rushing to the rescue
