Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-07-14
Special Correspondence Of the Chicago Times
From Washington.
Exposure Of The Plot Against MeClsl0n-An
Ans,oer TO Chambers ResolufioR-HOD fhe
Secretary of War sesks 70 Defend Himself at
McCIeuan's Ernense.

Exposure Of The Plot Against MeCleLI6n-An
Ans,oer to Chambers ResolufioR-Hop tke
Secretary of War sesks 10 Defend Himselfo at
McCIeHan's Expense.
WASHINGTON, July &, 1862.
The history Of nations has shown that the
worst of men find advocates and defenders, and
that of ours will prove no exception. Even that
wretched compound of obStinacy and conceit who
presides at the War Department has foand men
TO defend him. The measures, however, to
which his advocates resort in their vain attempts
10 shield him from the storm of Indignation
which is justly poured upon him show TO what a
depth of shame they have descended. / have
been at some pains to collect the facts in regard
to the conduct of the War Department in rela
ton to the recent defeat of the Army of the Po-
tomac, and they are as follows:
The Secretary Of War had long ago deter mined
that Mcclellan should never take Richmond. |
placed that fact before the country supported by
the proof, months ago. Over and over again
during the progress OF the Peninsula campaign
Gen. Mcclellan sent to the War Depart m snt, by
special messengers, candid OF his nu-
merical strength. accompanied BY earnest and
pressing calls for endorsements. One of these
messengers was sent after the battle of Williams
burg, about the 9th of Nav; one while headouar-
tiers were at Roper's Church. near West Point;
one when White House was first reached. about
the 18th of May; one when headquarters were at
the plantation of Dr.. Curtis and the bulk of the
army was still on the left bank of the Chicka
hominy, about the 9th of May, and one finally
when that Rubicon had been crossed by the ar.
my, about the 10Th of June, and headquarters had
been fixed near Mr.. Mickey's plantation, north
of Savage Station. During all this time, a space
of twelve weeks. the losses of the army from
sickness alone amounted to 500 men per day.
This would amount to 81, 1000 men, but as 5000
of these after a few weeks absence succeeded in
recruiting their health aud returned to their regi-
ments before the late movement, the army was
weakened from this cause 10000 men. We lost
in killed, wounded and prisoners in the battles of
Williamsburg, West Point, the Chickahominy
and in several minor actions, 5000 troops. Es-
timating the several corps which Mcclellan
brought to Fortress Monroe by the LIST of April
at l25,OO0 strong, it would give him on the 25.h
of June a force of IS 900 troops to contend
against the rebels 2O0, 900. These figures, when
the truth comes to be known, will be found 10 be
very nearly correct. Indeed some authorities
whose means of information are second TO none,
estimate our force on the 25th at only IS 600.
The only enforcement sent to Mcclellan during
all this time were Gen. McCall's division of Penn
sylvania reserves, - ,0UO strong. and five other
regiments, amounting to 5000 more. making the
aggregate endorsements Il, 900. These are in
Guided in the above, thus:
McClellan's force at Fortress Monroe,
April l20,OOO
Losses from sickness, II days....3S 500
Losses in battle before June 25.. is 900
Total losses before that date. ....... 81. 500
Leaving. 1880
Add McCall's and other re;nforcements IL ono