Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-18
The Mcdowell Court OF Inquiry.


Lam before this court, on the llth Of Decem.
Der the fact was disclosed that by express
order OF the President, MoDowELL's force was
Withdrawn abruptly. in May last, from oo.ops.
ration With MCCLELLAN, and thus Richmond
was lost, tho opinion Of the commanding Gen.
eral and other high military men being that
but for this Interference aud change of plan,
the rebel Capital would within ono week have
been 10 our possession. Ignorant civilIans at
washington thus defeated the plans of the
General In command, and they are therefore
responsible for the dlsasters Of the campaign.
The telegraph gave us some days ago the sub.
stance Of the dispatches that passed at the
time, but In view Of the importance and grav-
iay OF the subject, we now insert them entire:
sroRETARY STANTON TO GEN. m'DoWELL.
WAR DEPARTMENT. April IL, 1862.
MAJ Gen. MeDOwsl, Commanding:
Sin: For the present. and until further orders.
you will consider the National CAPITAL A espe.
ciaiiJ under your protection, and make no move
ment throwing your force out Of position for the
discharge Of this primary duty.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary Of War.
WAsHlNsros, April 80, 1862.
Maj. Gen. MeDOlOsll, Aesma Greek;
The President directs that you should not
throw your force across the Rappahannock al
present, but that you should gel your bridges
and transportation ell ready, and wait further
orders, EDWIN M aTA NT0N
Secretary of War.
IHaPEoroR GENERAL VAN RENSSELAER, TO aEEKRAL
M'DowELI.
WARRINGTON, April 30, 1862.
Moi Gen. MeDoDsli, COMMANDING Depaytnsat
Of RappahannOek;
GENERAL: The Secretary Of War has given
mo authority to inform you that you can occupy
Fredericksburg with such force 90 In your judg-
ment may be necessary to hold u for defensive
purposes, but not with view TO make for
ward movement.
II. VAN RENSSELAER,,
Inspector. General United States Army.
eEcRErARY STANTON To GEH. n GILLIAN.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WARRINGTON, d Gu
May IL, 1862.
MAJOR Gen. George B. Mcclellan. Commanding
Army Of The Potomac, before Richmond:
Your dispatch to the President, asking for
Ieinfofcementa, has been received and careful.
ly considered. The President Ia not willing
to uncover the Capital entirely, and Il 10 be,
lieved that even if this were prudent 1t would
require more Time 10 effect junction between
your army and that of the Rappahannock, BY
the way Of the Potomac and York rivers, than
by land march.
In order, therefore, to increase the strength
OF the attack upon Richmond at the earliest
possible moment, Gen. Mcdowell has been or.
dered to march upon that city BY the shortest
route. He Is oFdered-keeping himself always
IN position to cover the capital from all posi-
pie attaok-so to operate as TO put his left wing
In communication with your right, and you are
instfucted to cooperate 30 as to establish this
communication 90 soon as possible. By extend.
Ing your right wing to the north OF Richmond
1t is believed that this communication can be
safely established, either north or south Of the
Pamunkey river, In any event, you will be able
TO prevent the main body of the enemy @ forces
from leaving Richmond and falling In over.
Whelming force upon Gen. Mcdowell. He will
move with between thirty-Hve and forty thousand
men.
"A copy OF the instructions 10 Major General
Mcdowell are with this. The specific task as-
signed to hls command has been to provide
against any danger to the capital of the Nation
At your earnest call for reinforcements, he is
sent forward to cooperate In the reduction Of
Richmond, but charged In attempting this mol
to uncover the City Of Washington, and you
will give no orders, either before or after your
junction, which can keep him out Of position e
cover this CITY. You and he win oommunicat,
with each other by telegraph or otherwise al
frequently as may be necessary for efficient 90
operation.
When Gen. Mcdowell is In position on yeul
right, his supplies must be drawn from Wes
Point, and you will instruct your staff officers &
be prepared to supply him by that route.
The President directs that Gen. Mcdowell
retain the command Of the Department of th
Rsppahsnnock, and Of the forces with whlcl
he moves forward
By order Of the President
f EDWIN NJ, STANTON,
SecrataPv of War