The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-22

known and too discreditable to be dwelt
upon. The raid Itself would never have
taken place if McOlellans demands had
been complied with; the Confederates
would not have dared to detach him, nor
could there have been any object to gain
by doing go. The true position for the de-
fence of Washington and of Northern Vir.
ginia was in the immediate front of Rich
mond, and this raid was another of the con.
sequences of weakening McClellan's army.
The fright it 0ccasiOned caused levy en-
mosse 10 some of the Northern States, and
troops began to pour into Washington.
Now, at least, large reinforcements could
have been promptly sent. jackson on the
retreat, all the force on the Potomac might
be relieved and their places filled by the
new levies. But, alas the panic over, the
orders for new troops were countermanded
and McDowell-who we are credibly in
formed had been at last promised, instead of
being sent toward Richmond, which would
have enabled him surely and certainly to in
tercept Jackson, form junction with Mcs
Clellan and destroy the enemy's army in
detail-was sent off in the opposite drec-
ton to unite with the four other Major
Generals, who, at the heads of their respec>
tive armies, were engaged in writing &C
counts OF their latest victories, or dreaming
OF future ones, while jackson was hurrying
down to join the already superior forces of
Lee in combined and overpowering attack
on Mcclellan.
Then followed the events of which Nc.
Clellan and his army may justly be proud.
The enemy had rendered the approaches to
Richmond from the north and east by our
small force almost impossible. There res
manned no chances for attacking him on any
terms that could give hope OF success ex.
cept by the northeast. The road passed
through country which the confederates
considered impossible for cannon, and upon
which but few works had been erected. The
result would depend in great degree upon
the rapidity with which the enemy could
mass bis forces in that direction. General
McClellan's attention had been earnestly d.
rected to this route, private letters told US
that the ground had been reconnoitered,
and dispatches to the press said that the
recent dry weather had done much toward
making the country passable, Measures
had been taken for sudden moving of our
base to the James river, should it become
necessary /; but the lingering hope of being
reinforced probobly detained General Nc
Ciellan till the last moment on the Chicka-
hominy. On the Goth of June the confede-
rates made an unsuccessful attack on Me-
gainesville. After repulsing them at this
point, the known approach of jackson
caused all our disposable force to be Assem-.
bled at Gaines Mill to give him battle.
For five long hours twenty-five thousand
men, all that could be spared from the lines,
resisted the onset of fifty thousand conied-
crates with success but toward night a
great accession of force swelled their nuns
bers to seventy thousand, and it required all
the reinforcements that could possibly be
spared from other points to hold our ground.
During the night the whole army was qui.
city withdrawn, crossed the river, and de.
stroyed the bridges behind them. The ene-
my, thrown off the trail, moved down the
river, and until afternoon dense masses could
be seen crossing the river above to join in
the pursuit to the White House.
The enemy was out.generaled, and that
night our troops were withdrawn from their
works, and took the road to James river
turning fiercely on their foes (.who en-
deavored to hold them ia cheeky at every
favorable position, and so covered the move.
ment of our enormous trains and stores.
Battles succeeded battles, and in the inters
walls OF conflict our troops, successful in
eoery engagement, pursued their march, un.
til the "week of battles' was crowned by
the victory of Malvern Hills, and the army
saved. The whole series of operations was
conducted with mastery SKILL and nothing
could be more admirable than the behavior
of the troops. In the steadness, accuracy,
and promptitude with which great masses
were handled and maneuvred, could be
traced the direct effects of the idle reviews"
to which, day by day, the different corps
had been accustomed in Washington,
Notwithstanding the bitter disappoint
ment of the cOnfederates, who, in view of
their enormous superiority of numbers and
freedom of action, reasonably anticipated
the whole destruction OF our army, they
knew how to dojustice to their enemy, and
while an American Senator, ignorant of
war, was employed in villifying and traduc.
ing Mcclellan on the floor of the Senate,
the head of the rebel government, himself
a soldier, 10 open admiration declared that
with the exception of the retreat of Moreau
through the Black Forest--a retreat upon
which, more than upon any of his victories,
rests his great tame as general-the ope~
lions of Mcclellan furnished the most mag
nificent example which modern history pres
sents of the rescue of great army from ap-
parently irretrievable ruin.
After reaching Harrison's Landing, and
three days after the battle of Malvern Hills
was fought, Shields's division was, sent to
the peninsula, too late again for any earthly
use except to supply the places of those
whom their presence in proper time would
have saved. These troops, and all the rein
forcements previously received, formed part
of the $4,000 men whom Mr.. Chandler
would have US believe were always under
Gen. McClellan's control, and for the mis-
application OF which be is SO violently as
sailed.
MIR. Chandler further says that Mellow.
ellis troops, also, were to have been sent
him." Why were they not sent and in
time to save the campaign, and the blood
hat q