The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-18
The Character OF General Mcclellan,


General MCCLELLAN, is by the talented cor
respondent of the Cincinnati Commercial
whose graphic letters from the Peninsula,
we have often commended. The extract
appears in the Commercial of the 9TH, and
was written after the return of the CORES.
pondent to Cincinnati. The extract may
look like "damning with faint praise" but
it will be remembered that the writer is an
abolitionist, and before he went to the Pc
ninsula, was prejudiced against General
MCCLELLAN. He says:
People are anxious to know whether Gen.
Mcclellan is the man for the place be occu-
pies. Candidly, there is yet no sufficient
data upon which to base opinions. There
is no disputiDg the fact that bis retreat from
Fair Oaks to Malvern Hill was skillfully
executed. True, it was only seventeen
miles; but mark the conditions. l am not
competent to decide whether he is or is not
military genius. There seems to be no
doubt that the regular army officers rely up.
on him implicitly. A few criticise him
sharply, but [ do not hesitate to say that
they are officers who have given no proofs
of qualities emitting their opinions to re~
spectful consideration. In fact, think the
service would be benefited by reducing some
of them to the command of regiments and
brigades. l have been surprised at the
confidence placed in Mcclellan by his SEM
iors in service. 1t may be that this arises
from the army habit of subordination, and
from social influence. General Mcclellan
is personally an extremely agreeable gentle-
man. l will take the liberty to say, how.
ever, that with my comparatively limited
opportunities to form a diagnosis OF his
character should say that in any but q
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 ques,
tiOns. | don't mean partizan politics. If
be had possessed a particle of partizan tact
be never would have become involved with
Washington politicians. On the question
of slavery, which is inseparable from this
war, am free to say that | do not believe
that General Mcclellan has any convictions.
| think bis opinions On that question are
nothing more than social and 0d captd0.
dam principles. Pardon me, but believe
that eight out of every ten who were educa.
ted at West Point have but little clearer
perceptions of the relations of slavery with
the Government than pagan has of the
relations between the science of geology and
the creation of the human race. While |
admire the splendid gailantry and military
and social accomplishments OF West Point.
ers, am sorry to say that the almost only
great political fact established in their minds
clearly and definitely, is that it is their duty
to fight for the government and its flag. l
don't believe many of them reason On the
slavery or any other political questions, exc
cept in its social or army bearings. Nobody
will dispute, l presume, that the commando
er of the army of the Potomac ought to be
familiar with the political philosophy of
slavery. l certainly believe that be would
be more successful General if he was.
But as said, General Mcclellan enjoys
the confidence of thorough military men.
That the troops have confidence in him is
true. Upon this latter point lay but little
stress, because commanders are generally
popular with their soldiers. have seldom
read of a General commanding large army
who was not cheered enthusiastically, and
praised by bis men. But sincerely believe
that Mcclellan is really popular with the
army. l express these sentiments very
freely, partly because have no favors to
ask, partly because l never worship any
man. l endeavOr to state my convictions.
In these premises l cannot say that have
any definite convictions respecting General
McClellen's military genius. In the midst
of his recent trials, although he was evil
IDENTIFY troubled, be was constantly calm and
self-possessed. l watched him closely, and
1 could not discover that he lost his pres,
ence Of mind at any period. Those most
intimately acquainted with him assured me
that his mind was constantly serene. OF
course cannot determine how much he re-
lies upon the opinions of others. l only
know that he frequently consults those who
are regarded as among the best military
minds of the army. No man could devote
himself more inct SANITY to bis duties than
he. He is an incessant, sleepless and rapid
worker. These are my opinions frankly.
10 the above criticism the writer involuu
tariIy gives utterance to the following words
with the intention that they be taken as
rebuke against the eminent soldier:
While admire the splendid gallantry and
military and social accomplishments of West
Pointers, ON sorry to say that the almost
only great political fact established in their
minds clearly and definitely, is that it is
their duty to fight for the Government and
its flag.
This is great compliment 10 McCLEL-
Lam and the West Pointers. 1t is just what
we want of that Military School, We
want soldiers of" splendid galantry " and
not politicians in our army. Half our troub-
les and chickering's are occasioned by one
horse politicians in uniforms. We wait
soldiers who regard it as their first duty to
fight for the government and its flag, leav~
ing to the government the political bias of
the day.
| "A letter from Huntsville, Alabama,
under date of June 29th, says there is re-
port circulating that Colonel Turchin, in