The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-24 00:00:00

stitution of our country and the nationality of
its
people.

B. G. IVPCLELLAN, Major General,
U.S. Army."
General M'Clellan arrived at Baltimore on the
evening of the 11th, on his way to Philadelphia,
whence he was to proceed to Trenton, New Jersey.
At the last-named town great preparations were
being made to receive him.

The following letters describe the excitement in
the army and in Washington caused by the event :
" Headquarters, Army of the Potomac,
Warrenton, Nov. 9.

"The removal of General M'Clellan from the
command of the army has occasioned the wildest
excitement. Officers and men unite in denouncing
the order as an outrage upon the army, and, while
they express no objection to General Burnside as an
officer, they protest against the measure most ear-
nestly. Many have prepared their resignations, and
distinguished officers of rank assert that they will
no longer serve in the army if the order be not re-
scinded. General M'Clellan received the announce-
ment of his removal with perfect equanimity. He
has not been heard to utter a word of complaint,
nor has he made any allusion to the sub-
ject in the presence of his Staff, other than to
mention the surprise occasioned by the reception
of the despatch. It was equally unexpected by
General Burnside, who at first positively declined
to accept the position."

" Washington, Nov. 9.
"The removal of Gen. M'Clellan has produced
the most intense excitement in this city. It is al-
most the sole topic of conversation everywhere. The
Radicals assert that this removal is based upon a
report made by Gen. Halleck representing that
Gen. M'Clellan had persisted in disobeying orders
and misrepresenting the condition of his army in
regard to supplies of clothing and subsistence. The
friends of Gen. M'Clellan declare that his removal
was agreed upon before the recent elections and is
a part of the programme of the Radicals to obtain
the control of the armies in the field. It is unfor-
tunate for the Administration that this removal has
been made at this time without a promulgation to
the country of sufficient reasons for it. It is asserted
that upon every occasion when Gen. M'Clellan was
upon the eve of a decisive battle—one which would
b a great extent settle the whole question now in
issue between the Government and the rebels—he
has been prevented from striking the blow by the
interference of the Government. In this instance he
was certainly pushing forward with unwonted ra-
padity, and actually astonishing the country by
the promptness of the movements of his army and
the celerity of its progress. It is believed that a ge-
neral and decisive engagement, must occur very
soon, and may take place at any moment, and the
removal of the General in command under these
circumstances, without any apparent reason there-
fore, except political manceuvres, has aroused a
feeling in the community which is portentous. The
intensity of the excitement here cannot well be de-
scribed. It extends to all classes of people, and
manifests itself in a sternness of determination
which forebodes a terrible expression of public
indignation. It is said by those who are presumed
to have opportunities of knowing, that this bold
act of the Administration is but the beginuing
of the end, and that what is to follow will be
still more startling. Many express the opinion that
a disruption of the Cabinet will immediately en-
sue. There is reason to believe that the removal
of General M'Clellan was without the sanction of
either Mr. Seward or Mr. Blair, and that it has
inaugurated a conflict between the Conservative and
Radical portions of the Cabinet which must termi-
nate in the withdrawal or expulsion of one or the
other pdrty. This result is anxiously looked for,
and the expectation of greater events is perhaps all
that serves at present to prevent some open ex-
pression of popular dissatisfaction."
In reference to the statement that General
M'Clellan was to be put forward as the Democratic
candidate at the next Presidential election, the
Boston Post of the 12th observes :

" The Radicals say that General M'Clellan is
considered the Democratic candidate for the next
Presidency. Nobody but the Radicals affirm this,
however, and they lie so easily and generally their
testimony is good f r nothing. Ho has held all
his official positions since the rebellion broke out at
the solicitation of the Republicans. He was ap-
pointed from Ohio by Republicans—called to
Washington by the President, without desire on
his part or recommendation from any political party
—was placed at the head of the army by Mr. Lin-
coln and a Republican Senate without political
recommendation or personal solicitation—took the
field for the advance on Richmond at the President's
order—returned by the same authority—was de-
prived of his army and again urged to resume com-
mand by the Constitutional Commander-in-Chief,
and again relieved from service by the same high
functionary. Democrats have had nothing to do
with all this ; they have only asked for fair play,
and if the treatment he has received, like the abuse
the same set of men heaped upon General Jackson,
should so excite the indignation of the honest citi-
zens of the nation as to induce them to elect him
their next President, it would not be the most
remarkable thing that ever happened. But Demo-
crats have nominated no candidate, or determined
whom they will nominate, yet whoever they do
select as their candidate will be chosen, and a ma-
jority of the Republicans will be glad of it, however
much the Radicals may gnash their teeth."
The following are the despatches relative to the
military operations of the army of the Potomac :
I. "Washington, Nov. 11_
" Accounts f, om Manassas Junction to-day say
the railroad is in good order from Catlett's station
to Warrenton Junction, including the Cedar Run-
bridge, and all the way up to the RappahannocK
station. Contrabands coming into our lines at
Rappahannock station report Longstreet in com-
mand. The rebel forces are at Culpepper, and Gen.
Lee, who commands the whole rebel army, also has
his head-quarters there. They say General A. P.
Hill's force continues with Jackson somewhere in
the valley, and Longstreet's force and the others at
Culpepper were thrown there to prevent the Union
army from getting between the main body of the
rebel army and Richmond. They say that on Sa-
turday last Jackson's army was not moving to-
wards Culpepper. Scouts from Ashby's Gap and
Snicker's Gap yesterday reported the enemy's
pickets at both, and a Union lady sent to our lines
under a flag of truce says General Hill's were two
days before on the other side of the Gap."
"Washington, Nov. 11.
"A correspondent of the Associated Press at head-
criarters of the Army of the Potomac reports that
a small force of the enemy's cavalry made their ap-
pearance yesterday morning at Salem, which is 13
miles from Warrenton. They were hovering on the
rear of our army, evidently watching our move-
ments, and to cut of the transportation of supplies.
The information received respecting the rebel army
shows that A. P. and D. P. Hill's commands were

•---
encamped in and around Culpepper Court-house
yesterday ; that Longstreet's command lies be-
tween Culpepper and Gcrdonsville, while Jackson
holds Chester and Manassas Gap. There was heavy
firing in the front yesterday between Pleasanton
and Stuart, but the result was of no importance.
General Bayard still remains at Rappahannock
Station, with the enemy in force on the opposite
side of the river. The troops are in a comfortable
and healthful condition, being well clothed, and
having ample supplies of food."
The following Southern news is given in a
Washington letter of the 9th
have news from Richmond up to the 6th.
Gen. Leo arrived in Richmond about two weeks ago,
and has been there ever since. He has resumed his
position as:General Commanding-in-Chief, and acts
as military adviser to the War,Department. Gen.
Joe Johnston succeeds General Lee in the active