The Lansing state Republican., 1862-12-10
General Aaileck's Report.

The report Of General Halleck to the Presi
dent. giving the history of military operations,
tor the last three of four months, is a document
Of great importance to the country, as it puts
the public in possession of the key to the great
question, Why have our armies not been more
successful against the rebellion.
We would be glad to publish this report in
full. that our readers might read and judge for
themselves, but our want of sufficient space for
bids. We must content ourselves with an ab
stract Of the facts and arguments contained in
the report and that only. go far as the same re
lates TO operations in Virginia and Maryland.
The report establishes the following facts:
lst That the policy of dividing the army Of
the Potomac. one portion to cover and protec
Washington, while the other marched upon Rich
mond BY way of the Peninsula was a bl1nder
and a failure, and it became necessary to with
draw the army from the pennsulsr and unite il
again With the other portion in some position
where it could cover Washington at the same
lime that il operated against the enemy.
I'd. This union was attempted to be made al
Fredericksburg, but owing to General McClel
lens protests and delays the union was not effec
ted, until General Pope's army had been driven
back, step by step. aid day by day, into the de
fences in and around ashin gtOn, where it found
thst Of Gen. Mcclellan snugy ensconced. The
same order, which Burnside promptly obeyed or
.he day after receiving it, Mcclellan did no,
commence to obey, till eleven days afterwards.
Sd. That at the battle of South Mountain and
Antietam. the Union troops we're victorious. and
it ~as owing to McClellsn's inexcusable in ,criv
;ty, that these victories we're not followed up,
and the entire rebel army captured or cut to
pieces.
Alb. That this delay was in dsobedience oi
positive orders, and continued from the 18th ol
september until the 26th Of October, a pc, iod
Of 80 days, and when he did move, il to- K him
seven days 10 cross the Potomac, arriving Oh the
South bank on the Sd day Of November. For
all this delay ard disobedcnce Of order, he Vas
vember, aud General Burnside placed in com
mand.
The following are the conclusions of Genera
Haleck from the facts stated, Showing that our
failures have not been in consequence of acci
dents or untoward circumstances, but Of the in.
competency or the obs,insncy Of the comman
ding general.
1t il seen from this brief summary Of mill.
tary operations during the last three or tour
months, that while our soldiers have general '
fought With bravery. and gained many impor.
raut battles, these victories have not produced
the usual results. In many instar ces the Ge.
feated foe vas not followed from the battle
h-ld, and even when a pursuit was attempted
1t almost invariably failed 10 effect toe Capture
or destruction Of any part OF the retreating
army. This is a matter which requires serious
AID careful consideration. A victorious army
is supposed to be in condition to pursue its
defeated Toe siih advantage, and. during such
pursuit, to do him serious Il not fatal tjury.
This result hs. usually been attained 10 other
countries. 1s there any reason why it should
rot be expected in this: 1t is easily under
stood that in q country like that between York
town and Richmond, or the thickly wooded
swamps Of Mississippi and Louisiana that q re
treating force, BY telling trees across the roads
and destroying bridges over deep and ma shy
s,reams, can eventually prevent any rapid pur
suit The one. in atew minutes blocks up or de
stroys roads. which the other cannot repair for
hours, or even days. The pursuer has very
little hope Of overtaking his flying foe But
this reasoniug is not applicable to Maryland
and the greater part OF Virginia. Kentucky and
Middle Tennessee. II must be admitted that in
these theatres Of var the rebel armies have ex
hibited much more mobility and activity than
our oSn. Not only do they out march US, botn
in advance and retreat, but on tao memorable
occasions their cavalry have made With impunity
the entire circuit OF the Army of the Potomac
If it be true that the success of the army de-
pends upon its "arms and its legs" ours has
shosu i,self de6ciens in the latter Of these &C.
ssntial requisites.