The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-03-21
MARCH 81, 1862.
What Of Mcclellan :

20 losd its Grand Army, and that man vas
!. found in tho porson Of George B. Mcclellan.
His brief campaign in Western Virginia
had resulted 10 tho only decisive victories
Of tho Fedcrsl arms. and, in tho enthusiasm
sbey had inspired. Il was natural that his
promotion should be hailed with Joy. Al.
though young and untriod man, no ono
doubted bis courage. his energy, his skill.
or his determination to wage an active aud
telling var against the traitorous enemy
With q reticence that was thought to argue
much for his wisdom, he at once set himself
about re-organiziug and thoroughly disci.
pliniug the Army, which soou not only ro.
covered from tho demoralizing effects Of its
disaster, but became greatly superior in
numbers and appointments to that Of tho
RebOls, aud moro than ever the hope and
glory Of tho country. Washington was
again impregnablc, and tho month Of Sep
tember, with Its favorable weather, was to
be signsiized (so We wore told) by grand
advance Of tho Army. September came
and went, bu. the Army did not movO.
Whom tho veteran Con. Scott retired. the
chief command Of all the Union Armies
was given to Con. Mcclellan, and. with il,
full discretionary power to mature and OK.
eoure bis plans for the suppr ossion
of the Rebellion. His position, in dignity
and responsibility, was one that fow men in
the history of the world had over occupied,
and which the bravost aud bes. might envy.
Mover had man q more favorable oppor-
unity to ronder his name immortal. All
eyes were turned upon him; his every word
was noted; and whatever be asked was
freely granted. in tho expectation that.
whom tho opportune moment, which could
not be far distant, should arrive, no would
. lead the Grand Army to certain victory
And thus the Autumn passed away, the
qaiet OF the Potomac being broken only by
occasional Grand Reviews, small and uu.
decisive successes aud serious and needless
dis1stsrs.
When winter had fairly set in, many pco-
pie began to wonder ut tho long continued
inactivity Of the Army Of the Potomac, and
wish that u might advance upon tho foo
But all murmurs of discomfort wore speed.
lily silenocd by q revival of the momory Of
Bull Ron, and OF the unfortu nate cry, "On
10 Richmond y II was said that Gen. Nc.
Clollan, having made tho art Of war his
study, must know far better than tho people
whom TO order forward movement; that
popular impatienco could only be produc.
sive Of mischief; that, if all would be con.
sens to wait little while longer, tho end
would amply repay for thoir long suspense
Tho people, caring moro for tho cause
shan for time. or mon. or money. woro very
willing TO await the Development Of Gen
Meolellans vsuotod strategy, provided his
peculiar fondness therefor should not unfit
him for fight when fighting should promise
more immediate and important results
While :hey do not dospise strategy, they
believe II to be chiefly servicoab,e, In dos
perate war, like that In which the Govern.
ment 10 engaged with tho Rebels, whom il
procedes and accompanies effective fighting.
As tho popular wonder and anxiety in
creased. conflicting rumors as to the Gen.
erals intentions, came from the SEQ, of
War. II was stated, on tho ono hand, that
she roads In Esstern Virginia wero ut.
terly impassibio by a great army in tho
winter, and. on the other, that he had no in
tention of waiting until spring before order.
ing m advance; whilo. as II to sustain tho
appearance of something very important
about to be dono, the soldiers wero not per-
mitted to 60 into comfortable quarters, but
vere kept shivoring In their tents through
NIL the cold winter, cheerod only by the
hope long deferred that thcy wero soon to
moot tho foo In battle. s-.
Spring came. and found tho Grand Army
stiil quiet on the Potomac. and its General
apparently as little inclined to oIdor q for.
ward movement as ever. Millions of dollars
had been expended to perfect II. yet, while
Other armies. inferior In numbers, discipline
and length Of service, we're winning briliiant
victories. II alone remained inactive.
But at longth the Grand Army has
moved, and found, to the modification and
grief Of tho bravo soldiers who compose
IL, VINO havc patiently waitod aud suffered
30 long, and been promised so much, that
she enemy they have hoped to conquer,
and whose strength proves TO have boon
much exaggerated, has flown.
And to whom is the country Indebted for
this interruption Of the quiet Of the Poto.
mae Why arc the soldiers of the Union
nov encamped on the plains of Manassas
Lot the President's--not Con. McClolians
War Orders answer. II 10 significant
fact that with tho order for general ad.
vance OF the Union Armies, came another,
relieving Gen. Mcclellan of the command Of
oil save the Army Of the Potomac Would
such m order have been issued, had the
Administration undiminishod confidence
In the "mAsterly strategy" which, after
eight mon,hs OF listlcas inactivity on tho
Potomac. has finally resulted in tho sue
eesstul evacuation Of Manassas?
The course of Gen. Mcclellan IL onyel-
oped 10 mystery. May he, by somo great
achievement, dispol It, and provo himself
indeed. % he has hitherto beeD in mama