The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-11-19
The Change Of Commander.

General Mcclellan has been owed from the
General Burnside appointed in his place. Tais
oct Of the President has long been looked tor
BY the people I, had become apparent. that
under the command of General Mcclellan, the
Army Was never to accomplish any signal sue
Cess He has been the commander OF that ar
period Of nearly sixteen months and yet moth.
ing. Of any advantage to the cause Of the UUion
has he accomplished, except the organizing and
c'rlning of the army, for which work he is
undoubtedly eminenrly qualified.
He remained, during the whole of last fall and
" '"-'""y =" ,"~ ": >. 90. - e s"s wv
sehs, and almost within sight of the Capitol OF
the nation, and when in the spring that enemy
evacuated their position, and took up their line
Of retreat towards Richmond. instesi of falling
upon thsir rear, and pursuing them with vigor,
driving them before him. and reaching and seiz.
ing their Capitol before they should have time
- forsify it, he incon'ineDtly turned about, en-
harked for Hampton Rords. and set down for
regular siege upon Yorktown, then held by only
ssvsn thousand rebel troops. The history OF
that siege and the remainder of that disastrous
campaign upon the Peninsula, is familiar to the
world. After fighting useless battles, and en-
counsering the deadly miasma Of the Chicka-
Aominy Swamps for four long, weary, fatal
months, the remnant Of that army retreated in
disgracs, abandoned the campaign, and reem-
barksd for the old camping ground on the Po-
tomac.
Then he failed from some cause, to reinforce
General Pope, At . critical time in the war,
When . series Of battles at Bull Run and Cen
trsville we're being taught, and when the requir.
Cd reinforcements might, and probably would
have changed the whole course Of events, and
given victory to our arms.
When the rebels had with nearly their whole
force invaded Ma yla, d, instead Of getting in
their rear and cutting of their retreat, and then
pressing upon them With all his force and COM
pelling them to surrender or crushing them with
overwhelming numbers, he feels bis way eau
tiously towards them and gets beyond them,
that they NAY retreat again into Virginia if de.
fsated in battle. A great battle was taught at
Antistam, in which our troops we're victorious!
bat is Vas bootless victory. Time was given
the rebel army to re cro.s the Potomac, and to
make iss way leisurely aud safely down the val
10y Of the Shenandoah and nov il occupies its
cid ground in the neighborhood of Gordonsvle
and Rehuond.
We IL no, time that Commanding General,
who has thus thrown away his opportunities,
and wasted the energies Of the people, should
BE- removed. to give place to one sho viii bet
tss employ the blood and treasure of the Ma.
ton?
The immediate cause Of the removal of Gen. |
Mcclellan has been his refusal to advance against
the enemy, even under the most peremp,ory
esders q General Hall-ck. The letter of Gen
srsl Haileck to the Secretary Of War. which We
publish in another column, sets forth the facts.
- TO the orders given, and the disobedience to
them.
We prsssne that this particular instance Of
disobsdseees 81 orders. 10 no, the sole cause of
General MeClel'sns removal, although it mus,
be eeoceded BY all, whether friend or foe, that
IL = . s.Nsiess cause for that act From the
very 6rs. he has seemed 70 consider himself
krsspeosibls 70 higher authority, and ha. sys.
ssossically and Perssseatly insisted upon having
NJ osn vsy.
He has been obstinately tsrdy in al bis move
1sass. and csald not be driven, even by the
Trsadene TO usvs against the enemy, until he
bod. amer As sso melton, got everything ready.
and the great trouble With him has been. that
b hes ever oees getting ready. yet never has
been ready, to march upon the enemy and fight
then V any good purpose.
We make no charges against General McClel.
80 ndshsy 70 the cause Of the Union. We
eeanss believe that be i tainted 9Th Treason
Wos osvRnnsaa Yss sas Of three thine,