Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-12-19
MlIifary Criticism.

A very sharp pamphlet written by Chas
Elicit, i, Civil Engineer, and criticising
Gen. McClellan's management Of the var
is in circnlaton at Washington produc-
ing mseh excitement and comment. NJ.
Ellest The Author, is an engineer by pro-
fession, and residh at Georgetown, DC.
The correspondent Of the Nsao Fork
World say of him.
Mr.. Elicit holds, without doubt, a So
cial and professional position emitting bis
opinions, even in these anomalous times,
to a certain amount of repect. His pri-
vate character is above that ofa man who
would attack greatness from malicious or
sensational motives. As an engineer be
has enjoyed a deserved eminence for many
years: has been in charge Of various i'm
portance public enterprises; has received
Difference in opinions as to such matters;
until lately has continued in the exercise
of his professionals las. active service
being those of chief constructive engineer
of the Orange and Alexander Railroad its
southern extension, but since the commence
ment of hostilities he has lived at his home
in Georgetown, D. c. studying and crit
icising the progress of the campaign over
ground so familiar to him. To his knowl-
edge of the region between the capital and
Richmond must be added that of the up
per Potomac, since in early life he surveyed
the river from Washington to Harper's
Ferry. His loyalty and patriotism are 1
belive unquestioned. III
Mr.. ElIett's pamphlet reviews the whole
conduct of the war since Gen. Mcclellan
assumed command. 1t also contains
letter written Oct. 9th, directed to the
President. This letter was sent 10 New
York papers and put in type, but publica-
tion delayed at the instance of the Editor
of said paper, who believed that the wis
dom of Gen. McClellan's plans would be
manifest in few days. This October let
ter is now published-says Mr.. Elicit
because in the last eight weeks the plans
of the general have been fully developed
and the results have served only to illus
trate, most sadly and painfully, the sound
ness of the writer's early opinions of the
incapacity of that officer, These results
are the blockade of the Potomac: : the at
tempt to cross the upper Potomac, after
three months of costly preparations, in an
old scow, DC; the national shame due to
the undisturbed presence of the rebel army
in our front. 4es ae s s
The letter contains the following state
ments: 9.
That the rebel army is wholly depend
ent for its existence, as organized body, on
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad which
supplies it with food, and reinforcements
that this road was very deficient in loco
motives, and rolling stock; that, as of engi-
neer of this end of the read, he Mr.. Ellett)
knew how to instantly cripple, reduce and
disable its already deficient supply; that
he endeavored to submit his idea to Nc
Clellan, but conld get. no hearing though
backed by the President and Gen. Scott;
that while vainly endeavoring to get access
TO the General, and passing through an
ordeal which nothing but patriotism ena-
bled him (ElletD to bear, the enemy was
allowed to seize the Baltimore q Ohio
Railroad without opposition, and bear
away sufficient locomotives and railroad
iron for all their necessities; that each loco
motive so procured is worth to them
thousand horses. Again that lately our
army was encamped within fortified lines
close to the river-the enemy pressing up
against us-it then being easy for US to
get behind him and force him to fight on
our own ground, that instead, we have ad-
vanced against bis entrenchmeut until the
position is nearly reversed. 7aa
That the immense number of forts built |
across the river are not, and never have
been decently garrisoned; not one tenth
'f their adequate complement Of men be-
ng stationed therein, and these ignorant
If artillery practice. Further: that despite
he months elapsing, no proper communi-
,ations has been constructed between
and the trans Potomac army.
The Long Bridge is indeed repairing, but
,ne or two other bridges should have been
built. That we have here
nough men and means, need no more from
he North, but want these properly led
hat General Mcclellan, sparing the thou
and men for the purpose might twice
ave captured the whole rebel army
lloyd, Lee, Wise, & Coin Western,
Tirginia, &C., De, si s-1o.7 s7s
The friends of Gen. Mcclellan say the
amphlet is written in revenge for the fail
ire by the writer to get access to Gen. Nc
jlellan, and ehagrin because his advice
'as not sought.
We give the whole as the news of the day
aving no knowledge as 10 the merit of
be case, and no settled opinion on the
lbject. fs o5I