New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-11
THE MCDOWELL COURT OF IN
QUlRY.


WAsHIsGToN w ednesday, Dec. TO- 1907.
TIE Court met at III o'clock. The examination
of Gen. Mcclellan was resumed. Questions were
asked bv Gen. Mcdowell.
Q. What communication from the President
through Gen. Franklin or otherwise, did you re-
ceiye to the separation Of Gen. Mcdowell corps
from your army Please state fully what you
know concerning thst separation, far IL relates
TO Gen. Mcdowell, and what communication, ifany,
you had made to the President concerning bin IN
that action.
A. The substance of the communication through
Gen. Franklin from the President was, that the
President assumed the responsibility of the change
Of destination Of Gen. McDowel's corps, regarding
that cOrls necessary for the defense Of Washing
ten; although the troops actually left in Washington
and in front Of disposable Tor is Defense were
rather more than double The garrison Fixed By the
engineer and artillery officers, ana considerably
more than the largest number recommended by any
OF the corps command 10, 10 be left IN the vicinity u
Washington. l do not az present recall any CON-
municauon made to the President in regard to the
separation Of Gen. MCDOWELL coIis. II would be
necessary for me 10 consult my papers before could
answer the question definitely.
q. Do You recolcct having received any telegram
from Gen. Franklin pIior to h. Joining YOU on the
Peninsula concerning Gen. Mcdowell and in con-
necion with the separation OF the latters corps from
yOr army
A. Yes, remember merely the general tenor Of
the dispatches, which was, that III Gen. Hawkins
opinion, from his knowledge Of the Gaze. Gen. Me-
DoNe had nothing 10 do with the separation OF bis
corps from the Army OF the Potomac.
Q. What was Gen. Franklin's o.ical position
win respect to Gen. Mcdowell Of the time be wrote
that dispatch
A. lie commanded division in the corps of Gen.
Mcdowell.
Q. Please examine the copy Of the Nev. York
Herald Of Oct 81, containing spesch Of the Hon,
j. b. Haskins at TalytowD, y. Y, anu slate II the
remarks attributed TO you, 70 wit, al
have been unfortunate in moi taking Richmond, III
of my plan not being carried out, be-
cause Gen Mcdowell did not Te-enforec me, ~ he
could have done. and rs II was agreed upon he
should have done" true In their et'e. spIrt,
so far Us relates to Gen. Mcdowell, ana If not true
in this, wherein are they not 20
A. Snilingly.) The incident related in the speech
is entirely new 10 me; / never received any dIs-
patch informing me that Gen. U..l!eek W..s made
uGudeI-in-C Chief and very sure that | never
made the remark attributed 10 me in the connection
as stated.
| have 10 doubt, said, for it has ever been NY
opinion, thai the Army Of The Potomac would nave
ell been separated from IL. II is also Iay opinion IT,.
bad the command Of Gen. Mellow eli jOlncd tie
Army Of the Potomac IN Toe month Of may, by WAY
OF Hanover Court House from rredeIichsburg, that
we would have Richmond within @ we \ after tie
Junction 1 do not hold Gen. AcDoWe responsible
10y mind for Tue failure TO JON on either
occasions.
Q. Did or did not Gen. Franklin, npon his joining
on on Inc leuiusUla, give you 4 verbal message
from Gen. Mcdowell, that nc would endeavor %
make demonstration or diyeTsion III your favor by
going To fredericksburg.
A. l think lie did.
q. Alter The change Of base to Fort Monroe, York
TOW ~ and toe Peninsula, was u any part OF y0ur
plan tit any Of your forces should 70 10 fFetoIcks'
burg