The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-08-06
Who Is Responsible for the Manassas Failure.


Gen. Scott organized the forces AM fixed the
time for tho attack on Manassas, and yindi
Gates that veteran in the following manner:
SO far as the preparation of tho army for
the special service assigned il is concerned, il
is undoubtedly true that Gen. Scott did have
full control. He probably did "organze the
columns and appoint tho officers; and he may
have selected the times and points of attack
at Bulls Run, after that attack hal been
peremptorily ordered 10y his superiors, tho
we are inclined to believe that these details
were confined to Brig. Gen. Mcdowell, who
was on the spot, and who could form, from a
personal examination Of the approaches, a
much better opinion as to the points Of a.
tack than Gen. Scott. The fact hat both the
time and point of attack was changed by
Gen. Mcdowell proves, indeed, that in this
respect he was left to the exercise Cf his own
iudrment. The original purpose was to at.
tack the encmy's position on Thursday after
noon or Friday morning, by turning it on the
south sile--and Gen. Mcdowell went person.
ally with Gen. lIcintzelmen's column, to su.
perintcud the attack. But he found the roads
on that sids impracticabe for heavy artillery
and on that account abandoned the plan.
Friday was devoted TO a survey on the other
flank, and there he found the roads in such n
condition as 10 justify the attempt to turn the
cnemy's position on that side. The fact that
Gen. Mcdowell changed the time Of attack
from Friday to Sunday, and the point OF at
tack from the Southern 10 the Northeir flank,
shows that the control of these details was
confded wholly to him by Gen. Scott, and
we presume that every one will c0nccde that
Il is discretion was wisely exercised, and the
change judicious.
But al this leaves the main point untouch-
ed. The question is WAo dec;ded that tie
ottoch shouid be made2 Who determined
that the road should be by Manassas Junction
Who is responsible for the plan of operations
10y which battle at this point, selected by
the rebels themselves, admirably adapted for
defense, fortified through three long months
Of inccs>ant labor accessible to their reinforce
mcnts from both directions and in all respects
precisely such position as they might wish
to make il, became a matter Of necessity p
The paragraph quoted above, for the purpose
Of relieving tho President and Cabinet,
throws the responsibility upon Gen. Scott.
We have not the slightest desire t, involve
the President in any responsibility that does
ot belong to him; but, on the other hand ;,
we do not intend tha. Gen. Scott shall be
loaded with blame f.? acts which were done
by others. We kHoW that Gen. Scott was
opposed to this plan'of the campaign from the
beginning; he deemed it unwise to make
Richmond the main point Of the movement,
but after that had been decided against him,
he was opposed to marching against it 10y the
longest anl most difficult route, through a
country every foot of which would be obsti
nately defended, and which must be hell by
a strong force after il had once been taken
This we know to be true-anl in spite Of the
delicacy Of such disclosures, we shall not hcsi.
tate 10 state the authority for it, 1t is that
Of Gen. Scott himself
On the Tuesday preceding the battle, Gen.
Scott, at his own table, in presence Of his
aids, and a single guest, discussed the whole
subject Of this war in all its parts, and with
the utmost clcarress and accuracy. He had
distinct, and well defined opinion on every
/ point connected with it; and stated what his
| plan would be for bringing it to a close, if the
management of it had been left in hi. hands
Tho main object of the war, be said, WIS to
/ bring the PEOPLE of the rebellous States to
feel the pressure OF the Government. to com.
pei TO return to their obedience and loyalty.
And this must be done with the least possible
expenditure Of life, compatible with the at.
tainment of the Object No Christian ia
tion can be justified, he said, in waginc war
in such way as shall destroy five hund ed
aad one lives, when the object cf the war can
be attained at a cost Of 500. Every man
killed beyond the number absolutely required
is murdered. Hence, he looked upon all
shooting of pickots, all scouting forays no,
required to advance the general Object Of the
war, all destruction of life, ON either side,
which did not contribute 10 tie general result
as SO many acts Of uniustitiable homicide.
If the mater had been left to ne, he said,
he would have commenced by perfect block
aie of every Southern port on the Atlantic
aud tie Gulf. Then he would have collected
a large forcc At the Capitol for defensive pur
poscs-another large one on the Mississippi
for offensive operations The summer months,
during which it is maluess TO take troops
south of st. Louis, should have been devoted
10 tactical instruction and with the first
fros,s Of AUTUMN he would have taken a
column Of $4,000 well disciplined troops
down the Missis'ippi-and taken every i'm.
portant point on that river, New Orleans in
cluded. 1t could have been done, he said,
with greater ease, with less loss of life, n d
with far more important results thar would
attend the marching of an Army TO Rich
mond.
At eight points the river would probably
have been defended, and eight battles wouli
have been necessary; but in every ono of
them success would have been made certain
for us. Tho Mississippi and the Atlantic once
ours, the Southern States would have been
compelled by .Lc natural and inevitable press.
ure of events, to Seek by return to the Tn.
! ion, escape from the ruin that would over
whelm them out Of it. "This," said Re,
twas my plan. But | am only subordinate.
1t is my business TO give advice when asked.
and to obey orders when they are given. |
shall do it, There are geutlcnen in the Cab.
/ met who know much more about war than
DO, and who ave far greater influence than
hayc in determining the plan of the campaign.
There never was a more ust and upright
man than the President never one who de.
sired more sincerely to promote the bost in
/ torc,ls Of the country. Bat there are men