The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-03
Prof Mahan ON nIcC,elIan.

Prof Mahan ON Mcclellan
An article appears in the New York
Eveming Post dated West Point and signed
"M," which could have been written by no
no other than Dennis H. Mahan, IL. D.,
Professor of Mathematics and Engineering
in the Military Academy for the past thirty
years and under whom all the officers grad
uated within that time received their in.
structions. This article is reply to the
plamphet of Charles Ellet recently issued
condemning Dir. McClellan's generalship,
and it shows the utter nonsence and fallacy
of Ellet's writing and reasoning. 1t is to
Prot. Mahan's opinions of Mcclellan, how-
ever, rather than to what he thinks of Ell.
let, that interest attaches. His ability to
speak and knowledge of all the prominent
officers now in the field on both sides, should
lend much weight to his words. We quote
from bis article:
With some acquaintance of military bis.
tory, and such elementry knowledge OF the
elements of the military art as any inteiii-
gent reader may acquire from Jomini,
Theirs, and other writers on the subject,
nothing seems more simple than to make
war on paper. A base of operations is
chQsepS lines of operations marked out,
movements proje cted, battles planned, and,
divested of all the impediments of real ope.
rationa, the parlor gentleman triumphs
to his hearts content and with the less
misgiving as to his result as bis actual ex.
perience of war is the less.
In General McClellan's whole career thus
far, be has been invariably successful in
what he has undertaken; and his success he
has owed to untiriDg perseverance in the
prosecution of bis plans. Admitted into the
Military Academy at an age considerably
below the average mot being sixteen), and
having for competitorsVouths over nineteen,
be maintained among them the highest
Standing in scientific attainments, and was
regarded by his instructors as pupil of very
superior abilities.
Prof. Mahan then gives sketch of
M'CIellan's career, with which every reader
is familiar, and continues:
1t is not now quite five months since Gen
eral Mcclellan took command of the troops
around Washington, and only little over
six weeks that, having been invested with
the chief command. he has had exclusive
control over them. Called to his new duties
Immediately after the Bull Run disaster, he
found the three months volunteers being
rapidly disbanded and their places being
supplied by raw troops, hurried rapidly from
their homes, in many cases incompletely
equipped, and Differed by men few of whom
were at all conversant with their duties.
Everything in the way of the organization
of these men had to be done. They had to
be taught their duties to become acquain,
ted with their officers, and their officers with
them. For the commanding general to
have attempted anything beyond strictly
defensive attitude whilst this state of things
continued, would have been sheer reckless
ness and have argued an utter incompeten.
cy for position.
1t is we'll known to the writer of this that
there is no officer in our service ior whose
military capacity and professional acquire
ments Jefferson Davis and the chief militia.
ry leaders under him have so high respect
as for those of General Mcclellan. There
is no General in Our service in the face of
whom these men would act with more cir
cumspection than before him. 1t is also
known throughout the army that General
Mcclellan enjoys, on the same grounds. the
entire confidence OF the best educated and
ablest officers in our service. That he has
inspired the President and the members of
bis Cabinet with equal confidence was
shown by the unanimous voice with which
he was called to the chief command on the
retirement of General Scott.
General Mcclellan does not waste words
either in talking or writing. Whatever be
says is to the point. His written orders
thus far are models of such papers. He
does nothing for mere effect.
Judgments pronounced on the mental Cav
pacific OF others depend as much, perhaps,
On the standpoint of the individual who
pronounces them as on bis qualifications
ior such task. Madame de Stael, after
an interview with the Duke of Wellington,
expressed herself as greatly disappointed in
him, and rather wondered at his fame as q
soldier. Wellington was, nevertheless,
great captain.
When General McClelans own plans
have palpably failed, and when it can be
shown that this has happened through his
incompetency for his work, then every voice
should be raised for bis displacement. But
without knowing bis own plans, to denounce
him for virtually not adopting these OF an
other in preference to his own, is ruthlessly
shaking public confidence in him, without
offering any remedy when the mischief has
been effected. He himself has asked for
patience and for confidence in him on the
part of the public. When we look at the
work before him, consider the tools with
which 1t has to be performed, and the care