Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-10-14
A Mystery Revealed.

II HAS ioHS been mystery 70 the loyal
men of the north, why there has been so
much delay among our leading Generals
IN leading the brave seliiers on to victory,
when, 10 all appearances, the rebellion
might have long since been put down
and the war ended, with less loss Of life
and suffering than is occasioned by sick
ness In camp, If more active warfare had
been waged on the part OF the Federal
commanders. 1t has been observable, and
a subject of remark, that after nearly eve
ry engagement where the northern troops
obtained an advantage, there has been
suspension of aggressive movements until
the enemy had entirely escaped or become
so strongly reinforced that further pursuit
was lmpractieable. Reports have often
come from the General Commanding
that the enemy was thoroughly whipped
and hemmed in so there was no possible
chance for his escaping humiliation or
capture, and yet in almost every instance
he has been permitted to escape or become
largely reinforced, so that further pursuit
was abandoned At Manassas and at
Corinth, the enemy after months OF ditch
ing, toll and suffering on the part of the
federal troops, was permitted to escape
without fight, when it is evident in both
cases they could easily have been beaten
if our Generals had pursued a more active
course, and given them battle. We have
been told that both in Missouri and Ken
lucky rebel leaders have passed within
sight of our lines with small bands into
the inferior of the country and been per
mitted to return with largely increased
forces and,supplies of provisions &c, when
a small effort on the part of the comman-
ders would have captured the whole of
them. All these things have been noted
and often remarked upon by those who
have been anxious to see the rebellion put
down in the shortest possible time, but the
reason why they are SO has been mystic
~.
Below we copy from the New York
Times, revelation, which if true, explains
the mystery, and goes to show that the in
tentions OF our Generals is not to put down
the rebellion at once, nor until it can be
done by compromise in such a way as to
save the sacred institution Of slavery.
We give the article as we find it, and leave
our readers to Judge for themselves wheth-
er the programme there indicated has, or
hoe fins e., Eaar, oato1 Nv,
Of our army officers:
a Significant Revelation-Why our vic
tories are FIuitlsss.
Mai. Key, who is brother to Col Key,
of Gen McClellan's Staff, was attached to
Gen Halleck' s Staff on Gen. Mcclellan s
recommendation
Some few days after the battle of Ante
tam, an officer asked Maj Key, as one
likely to be well informed, what was 'the
reason of our army 5 negle ing the mil
itary axiom which says that u beaten, Grip
pied or retreating enemy is always to be
pursued p
TO this Maj. Key responded, that, 'the
immediate destruction OF the rebel army
was not the programme" Ii would be
better, he said, to let the war linger ON
indecisively and with advantages TO both
sides, until the end of Mr.. Lincoln's term
when it 'could be settled on q compromise
,ohich acou1d SAFE s5acery"
The officer to whom these remarks were
made paid no particular attention to them
such uttcrances being unfortunately too
familiar in certain circles Of the army;
but in the course Of a casual conversation
with a member Of the enthusiastically
Chase, it is said-he mentioned 1.-The pro-
gramme" as one of interest, considering
the authority on which it had been put
forth.
The matter, with commendable prompt
ness, was Immediately laid by the Cabinet
officer, before the President, who instantly
caused the officer who had repeated Major
Key S conversation, to be sent for.
Astonshed at the serious turn things
were taking, the officer appeared; and, on
being crosse xamined, though reluctant TO
injure Maj. Key, was obliged to give the
whole conversation, the substance of which
was then reduced to writing by Mr.. Hay,
the Presidents private Secretary.
Major Key was then sent for, and ap-
peared before the President in company
with the officer to whom he had first spo-
ken. The minutes of the alleged CONVEX
sation were then read to him, and he was
asked had he been guilty of imputing any
such motives to Gen. McClellan.
To this Major Key responded, stating
that he had undoubtedly used the language
alleged = after which he commenced
launching out into a general vindication
of the sacredness of the institution of sla-
very, and the iustiiability of the policy Of
lnactlon, or any other policy, which had
for It's object 10 preserve il.
Stop, Sir, interrupted Mr.. Lincoln, II
have not sent for you to discuss with you
the abstract question of slavery-its sa-
credness or the reverse. But | am clearly
Of the opinion that no officer can tcear
shoulder straps ttTder my commission acho
does not 5eliere az the policy Of ginning
decisipe rictorfes ,chererer they can be had
you may go. Sit; you shall hear from
me
Thus terminated this extraordinary in
teryiew Notification of the case was inn
mediately sent to Gen Halleck, and the