The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-21
GENERAL MCCLELLAN.
His Farewell to his Army
A Hundred Thousand Soldiers
in Great Grief.
AFFECTING INTERVIEW WITH BURNSIDE.
The General Departs amid the Acelaims
and Tears of his Men.
Special Dispatch to the New York Herald.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToNAC
WARRENTON. Nov 10 1862

WARRENroN, Nov. 10, 1862.
Modern history has not furnished more
thrilling and affecting scene than that of
McClellan's farewell to his army, which we
have witnessed here to-day The circum-
stances under which he leaves his gallant
soldiers, and their love for him, have
served to render the occasion one of sur
passing interest More than a hundred
thousand soldiers are in great grief to-
night. Their accomplished, patriotic and
beloved General, under whom they have
fought so many successful battles, has been
superseded in command of the Army of the
Potomac. Shall they no longer be allowed
to fight under the guidance of their ever
victorious leader? The order of the Presi-
dent deprives them of the privilege, and,
with Mcclellan himself, they acknowledge
the Chief Magistrates supreme authority.
TIE NEWS OF MCLELLAN's REMOVAL AT
HEADQUARTERS.
1t was nearly midnight on Friday, the
18th inst, when Gen. Buckingham handed
the order of the President to Gen. Nc
Clelan, relieving him from the command
OF the Army of the Potomac, and direct
ing him to report at Trenton, New Jersey.
1t was entirely unexpected by everybody
here.
Had he remained in command, Gen.
Mcclellan would undoubtedly soon have
won 4 glorious victory over the rebel army
Our troops were never in better condition
than they are now, never more devoted to
Mcclellan, and never more anxious to fight
under his leadership. and determined to
crush the rebellion with one grand, decisive
blow. Il felt SO confident, he said, in a
touching tone, THAT we would have been
Victorious" And we all deeply sympa-
thized with the General in this expression
Of regret.
The Presidents order appointed Major
General Burnside to McClellan's late COM
manl Mcclellan had an immediate in
terview with Burnside, when the sorrowful
intelligence was disclosed. It is difficult
to decide which was the most affected
Mcclellan to leave the noble men who had
grown up to be intrepid soldiers, under
him, or Burnside to assume the fearful re-
sponsibiities which were thus unexpected
y placed upon him. Tears coursed down
McClellan's classic features, and Burnside,
with his stout and heavy frame, greved
like a sorrowing child There they sat
and wept Both have always been warm
personal friends. They have lived and
lab0red IN the walks OF civil life together,
in the same establishment, and, with pa
triOtic feelings in common with each other
and as all, have fought for the Union be-
meath the silken folds of the same beloved
banner Burnside was at first disposed to
decline assuming the command but, in
view Of the position of affairs, with the ar
my confronting the enemy in the field, he
was induced to relinguish his personal con-
siderations with the hope OF promoting the
public good. Mcclellan is well pleased
with his successor. Burnside is splendid
fellow. ''He will do BETTER" said McClel-
Ian, Ethan nine out Of ten may suppose.
He has sound sense and integrity of pur-
pose, and where these qualities are COM
bined success is certain" Mcclellan has
requested his officers to give Burnside
their cordial cooperation and support.
After receiving the order relieving him
from command, Gen. Mcclellan sat down
to write few farewell words to his SOL
diers. How difficult a task. He dictated
the first few lines to Major Webb, and then
wrote the last few lines in his own hand.
They are beautiful, appropriate, and af-
fectionate words: f
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
CAMP NEAR RECToHTowN, Va, Nov. Z, 1922
Officers and Soldiers Of the Army of the Po-
tOmac:
An order of the President devolves upon
Major General Burnside the command of
this army.
In parting from you l cannot express
the love and gratitude bear to you as an
army. You have grown up under my
care. In you l have never found doubt
Or GOODNESS
The battles you have fought under my
command will proudly live in our nations
history. The glory you have achieved,
our mutual perils and fatigues, the graves
OF our comrades fallen in battle and by
disease, the broken forms of those whom
wounds and sickness have disabled, the
strongest associations which can exist
among men, unite us still by an indissol-
uble tie.
We shall ever be comrades in support
ing the constitution of our country and the
nationality of its people.
(Signed GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major General, U. S. A.
This farewell address was not read to
the troops until yesterday morning.
So at midnight on Friday Mcclellan had
gracefully sheathed his sword, and Burn
side assumed command.
THE EFFECT ON HIS OFFICERS.
On Saturday the mournful news was
known throughout headquarters. His
staff officers were not less amazed than
Mcclellan was himself There was not
single officer who could comprehend the
meaning, or rather the justice of the mat
ter. In answer to inquiries propounded to
himself, Mcclellan simply said, "All l
know about it is that received the order,
dated on the 7th, Immediately after the
results of the State elections were an
nounced.
Saturday was gloomy day about these
headquarters. Mcclellan was closeted all