The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-18
Hawthorne Sees Mcclellan.

Hawthorne Sees MCClcllans
Hawthorne has an article "ChieAy alb out
War Matters" in the July Atlantic, in which
he says of Gen Mcclellan:
"The general was dressed in simple
dark-blue uniform, without epaulets, booted
to the knee, and with cloth cap upon his
head; and at first sight, you might have ta-
ken him for corporal of dragons, of partic-
u!arly neat and soldieslike aspect, and in the
prime of his age and strength. He is only
of middling stature, but his build is We
ry compact and sturdy, with broad shoulders
and look of great physical vigor, which, in
fact, he is said to possess,-he and Beaure
gard having been rivals in that particular,
and both distinguished above other men,
His complexion is dark and sanguine, with
dark hair. He has strong, bold, soldierly
face, full of decision; Roman nose, by no
means thin prominence, but very thick and
firm and if he follows it, (Which l should
think likely0 it may be pretty confidently
trusted to guide him Alright. His profile
would make more effective likeness than
the full face, which, however, is much better
in the real man than in any photograph that
have seen. His forehead is not remarka-
bly, large, but comes forward at the eyebrows;
it IS not the brow nor countenance Of prom
inently intelligent man, (not natural STU
dent mean, or abstract thinker,) but Of one
whose office it is to handle thing practically
and to bring about tangible results. His face
looked capable of being very stern, but wore,
in its repose, when saw it, an aspect pleas
ant and dignifed; it is not, in its character,
an American face, nor an English one. The
man on whom he fixes his eye is conscious
of him. In his natural disposition he seems
calm and self-possessed, sustaining his great
responsibilities cheerfully, without shrinking
or WEAKNESS, orspasmodic effort, or damage
to his health, but all with quiet, deep-drawn
breaths; just as his broad shoulders would
bear up heavy burden without aching be-
meath it.
q }tter We had had sufficient time to Pc
ruse the man $50 far as it could be done with
one pair of very attentive eyes,) the general
rode off, followed by his cavalcade, and was
lost to sight among the troops. They re-
ceived him with loud shouts,by the eager up
roar of which-now near, now in the center,
now sweeping back towards US in great
volume of sound-we could trace his pro-
gress through the ranks. If he is a coward,
or traitor, or humbug, Or anything less
than a brave. true and able man, that mass
of intelligent soldiers, whose lives and honor
lie had in charge, were utterly deceived, and
so was this present writer; for they believed
! i'll him, and 50 did l and had stood in the
ranks, should have shouted with the lusti-
est of them. OF course | may be mistaken
my opinion on such point is worth nothing
although my impression may be worth lit
tie mole; neither do consider the generals
antecedents as bearing very decided testimo-
ny to his practical soldiership. A thorough
knowledge of the science of war seems to bt
conceded to him: he is allowed to be goot
military critic. but all this is possible without
his possessing any positive qualities of ;
great general, just as literary critic ma.
show the profoundest acquaintance with th'
principles of epic poetry without being abl
to produce single stanza Of an epic poem,
Nevertheless, shall not give up my faith il
Gen McClellan's soldiership until he is de
feated, nor in his courage and integrity eve
them"