The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-08-05

that ample provision had been made; where
upon, shat night was hxed upon ~ the time
TO embark the troops. Again the boats were
in readiness, steam up, and the gallant sailor
and marines esger for the fray, but again were
they disappointed. The troops did not ar
rive; whereupou the Navy Department iu
formed the War Department that il consider.
cd the refusal to furnish troops virtual sban.
donment Of the Potomac TO- the rebel block.
ade, that the vessels were required for the
southern expedition, and would ut once be
sent to their destination !; and thus for months
was the nation disgraced by the blockade ol
it's capital, and many millions Of dollars vast.
ed in expensive transportation, which small
force, judiciously posted, might have prevent.
cd. Mr.. Fox, in answer to the question wbath-
or this small force would be safe on Matthias
Point, replied, "certainIy our vessels cau she II
the Point upon both sides for q long de
tauce." Why was this disgrace 80 long sub
mitted tot No man knows or attempts to
explain. Month after month one Of the most
splendid armies the world had ever seen, oi
two hundred thousand men. permitting itself
and the national capital to be besieged by q
force newer exceeding oue.half iis own num-
Der. rr .,laa.
During the month of December, the nat ion
became impatient. The time had arrived and
passed when We were promised forward
movement. The roads were good, the weath
er splendid, tho army in high cond tion aad
eager for the fray. How long The roads and
weather would permit the movement, no man
could predict; still there was no movement
The generals, with great uuanimity, declared
that the army had reached its maximum Of
proficiency as volunteers, but still there was
no movement. Under these circumstances,
the committee on the conduct of the war ask
ed an interview with the President aud Cabi.
net, and urged that the winter should not b
permitted to pass without action, as it would
lead 10 an incalculable loss of life and treas
ure by forcing our brave troops into a summer
campaign, in hot and to them inhospiable
climate. The President and Cabinet were
united in the desire that an immediate sd.
vance should be made, but il was not made,
although we were assured by Gencrsl McClel
Ian that il would be mado very soon, that he
had no intention Of going into winter quar-
ters, and he did not. While the enemy erec-
ted comfortable huls at Centreville and Ma
nassas for their winter quarters, our brave and
eager ,roops spent the most uncomfortable
winter ever known in this climate, under can.
vas, as thousands and tens OF thousaCds o. iu-
valid soldiers throughout the length aud
breadth Of The land will attest. Why did no,
tho army move in all December, or why did
it not 60 into wiuter qusrtersi No man
81
On the lst day of January, 1869, and for
months previous to that date, the armies Of
the Republic we've occupying purely defens.
i've position upon tho whole line from Missou-
Vi to the Atlantic, until on or about the eth
of January the President and Secretary OF
War issued the order .forward. Then the
brave Foote took the initiative, soliciting two
thousand men from Halleck to hold Fl. Hen
ry after be had captured it with bis gunboats.
They were promptly furnished, and Henry
fill; then Donelson, with its fifteen thousand
prisoners; then Newbern, and tho country
was electrified. Credit was given where cred
it was due. Do-notbing strategy gave way
TO an "immediate advance upon the enemy's
works. and the days Of spades and pickaxes
seemed to be ended. On the 92d of Februa-
~ a forward movement upon our whole line
was ordered, but did not take placa. The ar
my of the Potomac was not ready; but on
the 10th Of March il moved, against the pro
test Of the commanding general and eight out
OF twelve Of the commanders Of divisions, but
the President was inexorable, anil the move
ment must be made. It proceeded to Cen
treville, an there found deserted huts. wood
en- artil ry, and intrenchments which could
and can be successfully charged By cavalry
1t proceeded TO Manassas, aud found no forti-
fications worthy Of the name, deserted, aban.
doned camp, and dead horses for trophies. -
The enemy, less than f,rty thousand men,
had leisurely escaped, carrying away all his
artillery, baggage, arms and stores. Our ar
my Of the Potomac, on that 10Th day of
March, showed by its muster roll a force Of
two hundred and thirty thousand mon. Com.
ment is needless. The grand army Of the
Potomac proceeded towards Gordonsville,
found no enemy, repaired the railroad, and
then marched back again.
Why this grand army Of the Potomac did
not march upon Richmond has never been sat-
explained, and probably never will
be-. One reason assigned was lack Of trans
By way of Aqua Greek aud fredericksburg,
he other via Manassas and Gordonsville,
which could have been repaired at the rate Of
Ten miles per day, and our army was ample
% guard It Had this overwhelming force
proceeded directly TO Richmond by these
ines, it would have spent the lst day Of May
n Richmond, and ere this the rebellion would
nave been ended. This grand army, ably
vas superior TO any army tho
world has seen for fvo hundred years. Ma
,oleon never fought one hundred and thir
y thousand men upon one battle field. Yet
his noble army was divided and virtually sac.
ificed by some one. Who is the culpritl
Before the advance upon Manassas, Gener.
J! Mcclellan changed his plane, and demau
led TO be permitted TO leave the enemy in.
renched at Cen,reville and Manassas. TO leave
he Potomac blockaded, and to take his army
o Annapolis by land, and there embark them
or the rear Of the enemy TO surprise him. In
he council Of war called upon this proposi
ion, the commanding general and eight out
4 twelve Of the commanders Of divisions land
,ere permit me to say that / ana Informed
hal seven Of the eight Generals were appoint
II upon the recommendation Of General Nc