The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-04-11
The Army Of the Potomac Gen. Nc.
Clellan.

Whatever successes Mai. Gen. Mcclellan
may hereafter achieve, will never satisfy this
generation that tho prodigious expense Of
tho army under his command, from the 9th
of December to this period, was justiiable.
For, according to testimony which have
no right to dispute, tho Army Of the Poto.
mac was in better plight to advance early
in Dec. than to. day; and, according to the
evidence now before US, wo have right TO
infer that tho enemy were as ready TO re-.
tiro had VIC advanced at that time, as at the
period when they did ovacuate their "strong-
hold"
The cost Of the Army of the Potomac, in
the meantime, was abundant to hayo paid
for the construction and equipment of two
first class iron clad ships of war per day till
now. which would have constituted navy
sufficient in numbers ard power to have
sealed up tho ports of the civilized world
This is no idle speculation. 1t is an cx-
pressed conviction by high authority, with
whom figures represent facts. Some may
question tho assertion that tho army is not
in as good condition for aggressive opera.
.ions as it was four months ago. II we &C
copt tho testimony Of military mcn,Eo room
for doubt remains. Besides, plain logic as.
sists the argument, since troops confined in
camp during any long period, without drill
and active discipline in the school Of soldiers
must needs lose the skill and oppiomb which
is the result of constant, active duty. Oh,
servation teaches US that when there are
rain and muddy fields, soldiers are not APT
| to drill.
That there were not satisfactory reason
for OBTAINING tho army in camp during the
entire winter, is sufficiently demonstrated
| By tho fact that the evacuation of Manassas
was moi anticipated, but was a surprise, and
that very soon after that event, it became
necessary to dovise an entirely new plan OF
operations. That the sudden Disappearance
Of the onemy ,0ds a surprise who can doubt
after witnessing the hurried advance of tho
whole army the day after tho evacuation
was known? Some time ago remarked
tho incomprehensib!ity of that movement
distinguished parsonage who ought to un
derstand it, has deigned to illustrate. Per
haps you will understand it. When yot
and ! were urchns we sometimes caugh
terrapins. The instinct of the creature or
being caught caused it to retire its extrem
tiles within its shell. When in this torpiC
condition, il was a problom how to restor,
animation. Tho customary and effectiv,
method was to lodge glowing coal o. firt
upon the terrapins back. Should appl,
tho illustration they would call me "Abo
IiIionis~-a dreadful appollaton.
Perhaps, however, it is unwiso to insinu
ate an honest opinion on military men o
measures. Should one presume to state
disparaging fact, or TO indulge fair criticism
at Washington, of conspicuous military lead
ers, they stigmatizo him as an "AboIitionist,
a Radical Fanatic" a "Howler;" and
don't know but they will get to denouncinl
such 10 that confounding way which so over
whelmed the lady OF Billingsgate. But it i
the fashion at Washington. So should on
presume to question the capacity Of on
particular general to manage successful
100000 or more volunteers, he is suppose
TO have received sufficient answer to an
argument by epithets of such frightful in
port as l have dared to quote. 1t is yer
dangerous, indeed, to criticize great CON
mander aud his acts, in the presence of
Washington hotel keeper, or n property
holder, or n contractor, or certain classes q
military gentlemen. or even CoDgrossme
who have distinguished themselves princ
pally by obstruc.Ing the promotion of tn
war for the protection of the Government
i Cor. Gin Com.