The Goodhue volunteer., 1862-07-23

would be benefited by reducing some Of them
to tho command of regiments and brigades.
I have been surprised at the confidence placed
in Mcclellan by his seniors in service. 1t
may be that this arises from the army habit
of subordination, and from social influence.
General Mcclellan is personally an extreme
ly agreeable. gentleman: I will take the
liberty to say, however, that with my COM
parative1y limited opportunities to form a
Of his character should say that
in any but military point Of view he is not
by any means an extraordinary man. !
certainly believe that he has no distinct and
decided convictions whatever upon political
questions. don't mean partizan politics.
1.-The had possessed particle Of partizan tact
he never would have become involved with
Washington politicians. On the question o +
slavery. which is insep.rable from this war
I ain free to say that Go not believe that
General Mcclellan has any convictions. -
I think his opinions on that question are
nothing more than social and ad captain dam
principles. Rardon me. but believe that
eight out Of every ten who were educated at
West Point have but little clearer. percep-
tons Of tho relations Of slavery with the
Government than pagan has Of the rela.
tiens between tho science Of geology and the
creation Of the human race. While ad.
mire the splendid gallantry and military and
social accomplishments Of West Pointers,
am sorry to say that the almost only great po.
litical fact established in their minds clearly
and definitely, is that it is their duty to fight
'or the government and its fas. 1don't be.
lieve many Of them reason on tho slavery
or any other political questions, except in it's
social or army bearings. Nobody will dis.
pute, I presume, that tho commander Of the
army Of the Potomac ought to be familiar
with the political philosophy Of slavery. l
certainly believe that he would be more
successful General il he was.
But As said, General Mcclellan enjoys
the confidence Of thorough military men,
That tho troops have confidence in him is
true. Upon this latter point lay but little
stress, because commanders are generally
popular with their soldiers. l have seldom
read Of General commanding large army
who was not cheered enthusiastically, and
praised by his men. But I sincerely be
lieve that Mcclellan is really popular with
the army. 1express these sentiments very
freely, partly because I have no hvors to ask
partly because never worship any man.
I endeavor to state my convictions. In these
premises cannot say that have any def.
Eite convictions respecting Gen. Mcclellan.
military genius. In the midst Of his recen,
trials. although he was evidently troubled
he was constantly calm aud elfpossessed
I watched him closely. and 1 could not dis
cover that he lost his presence Of mind a
any period. Those most intimately acqu.int
ed with him assured me that his mind VA.
constantly serene. or course cannot de.
termine how much he relies upon tho opin
ions Of others. I only know that he fro
queut'y oonsults these who are regarded 4.
among the best military minds Of the armv
No man could devote himself more inces.
sanity to his duties than he. He is an in,
cessant slesp'ess and rapid worker. Thee
ane nv oninions franklv
In the above criticism the writer invoIun.
tarily gives uttsranee to the following word.
with the intention that they b taken .. .
rbuke against The eminent soldier:
While admire the splendid gall.ntry and
military and soci.l accomplishments Of Wss,
Pointers, IN seery 70 nay tha. the almos.
only great political aet established in thei.
minds clearly and dehaiteiy, is tha, it IS the;,
duty to hght for ths Govsrpnens ard il
Gag. s #*s#.ss&s@@ 5
This IS : great eomp'imsst to NcCLE1zAz
AMI the West Poinses. 1t i just what ~
want Of that Military School. We va,
soldiers Of -spldd sa,lantry" and sot pol
IIticians 10 sur ArDy. Half or tsuubass md
|hicke6nss ~ oeenionsd y sss-berss po,i.
Isie;ans u snifssa We vast soldisu vbe
regard e = thsiT Int duty q feAt fsr III
Igovesnment as1 II 1aE, lsavinK . tks nv
iefaneat IL poiiteL has Of ~ dry. ss