Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-25
GENERAL M'CLELLAN's DREAM.

GENERAL MCLELLAN's DREAM
The following is from the pen of Wesley Brad
shaw, Esq and makes fitting companion to
'.Eashington's Vision" which sketch, written
by the same author, at the commencement of
our National dificultles, was widely copied by
tho press and commended by Hon. Edward Ey-
srctt, as teaching highly important lesson to
every true lover Of his country:''
Two O'Clock of the third light after General
NcClcllan's arrival in Washington to take com
mand Of the United States army, found that
justly celebrated soldier pouring over several
maps and reports of scouts. AS the hour came
toihng through the night, together with the
duli rumOlinS OF army wagons and artillery
wheels, the wearied hero, pushing from him
his maps and reports, leaned his forehead on
his folded arms upon the table before him,
and fell into sleep, so deep that even the
occasional booming of the heavy guns, being
placed in position on the intronchmcnts, was
Insufficient to disturb it.
81 could not have been slum mbering thus
more than ten minutes,'' said the General to
an intimate friend, to whom he related the
strange narrative, sswhen thought the door
OF my room, which had carefully locked was
thrown suddenly open, and some strobe to
me, and laying hand upon my shoulder said, 4,
in slow, solemn voice:
General Mcclellan do you sleep at your
post Rouse you, or ere it can bs prevented,
the foe will be on Washington
''Never before in my life have l heard a
voice possessing the commanding and even
terrible tone of that one that addressed to me
these words. And the sensation that passed
through me, as it fell upon my ears, and |
coweringly shrunk into myself at the thought
of my own negligence, can on ly compare it
10 the whistling, shrisking sweep of storm
of grape-shot, discharged directly through my
brain. / could not move however, although
tried hard TO raise nay head from the table.
Asa seAse Of my Willingness, and yet helpless
TO make an snswer to the unknown intruder,
oppressed me, once more heard the same
slow, solemn voice repeat:
General NsC lellan, do you sleep at your
post7'
There was peculiarly about it this time !;
il seemed as though Ia mere atom. of water
sas suspended in the oentre of an infinite space,
and ttat the voice came from a hollow distance
all stsuDd me. AS the Z, Ist word was utter ed
Iregducd by some felt and yet unknown pow
er, my yOlitien, and with the change, the
grape shot discharge sensation in my brain
cessed, and a strange but new seized my
heart, one as If hugA, rough icicie was being
sawed back and forth through and through me.
al stated up, or rather should say tho't
started mp, Tor whether was awake or asleep
lam utterly unable to decide. Ny first thought
Was a5oat my maps, and, before my eyelids
had half opened my hand was grasping them.
But this was oil. The table was still before
land the maps all crumpled in my tightening
clutch, were still before me, but every thing
gone, the walls OF the apartment were gone,
the selling was not to be seen. All | saw was
the taOleau am about to describe to you.
"Ay gaze was turned Southwark, and there,
spread out before me, was living map, yes, a
living map, that is the only expression l can
think OF as betttiRg the scene. In one grand
cOsp dali, my eye took in the whole expanse
OF country, as far south as tho Gulf Of Mexico,
and from the Atlantic ocean on the east TO the
Mississippi river westwardly.
"Bcfore fully fixing my attention upon the
immense scene, however, l thought of the
mysterious visitant, whose voice l had heard
but moment previous, and looked toward
MIN. An apparitiOn stood on my left, some
hhat IN front, at a distance of about six feet
IRON me. sought for his features, hoping to
recognize him. Bot was disappointed, for
The statue-like figure was naught but a vapor,
cloud, having only the general outlines OF
man. This troubled me, and was turning
the matter over in my mind when the shadowy
visitors, in the same slow, solemn tone as be-
lore, said:
"'General Mcclellan, your time is short
Look to the Southwark ~
al felt unable to resist this command, even
IL, e.
my eyes were cast on the living map.
''Out on tho Atlantic saw the various ves-
sels OF the biockading squadron looming up
win the most perfect distnctness in the bright
moonshine, that Illuminated everything with
strong, but mellow light. l saw Charleston
harbor and its forts, with their pacing senti-
neis, and their sullen looking barbctte guns.
NY eyes followed the ocean line all the way
roand into the Gulf, to New Orleans, and
ihence up the Mississippi. Fort Pickc ems ,and,
" TACT, every fortifcation along this water
fspoundary, bebeld with as much distinctness
as yon, sir, see that Corporal's guard passing
there.
This sight filled me with delightful sur
PRISE but 1t would be utterly impossible for
Inc 10 describe the ecstatic amazemeDt that
followed, as, within the limits mention, my
eyes took in, in minute, but lightning-li like de-
'aii, every mountain range, every hill, every
'aiey, every forest, every meadow, every
!ifsr, every city every camp, p,every tent, every
every cannon, and, may say, dispensing with
further detail, every living and every dead
'hing, no matter what its bulk or height.
"Ay blood seemed to stop in its channels,
win Joy, as 1 thought that the knowledge,
shd thereby advantage thus given TO me, would
insure speedy and happy termination Of the
war. And this one idea was engrossing my
mind, when, once more, that slow, solemn
voice said:
General Mcclellan, take your map, and
noIe what You behold. Tarry not; your time
Is short.
l started, and glancing at the unsarthly
speaker, saw hiN extend his arm and point