The New York herald., 1862-05-17
Senator Wilson On Mcclellan and the
other Generals.
SENATE CHAMBrR. wAsaIscros. May 0. 1862

SENATE CaAMmR WAsnrScrox. May 0, 1862
DEAR SIR have this day received your note, IN
which you say that II is reported by some persons tha
the Secretary OF War, Mr.. Sumner, myself and others
interfering with General McCellan's military plans
am sure Mr.. Sumner in way, directly or indirectly
has inte.ered or attempted interfere with any OF
General McCleans military plans or with the pas of
any other general in tho held MT stanton entered tne
War Office time anxiety and gloom, when the most
thoughtful men Of the country were oppressed win So
hcude concerning the condition OF the country foreign
and domestic. Mr. Stanton carried into the War ONCE
industry zeal and iron WILL acuated by an intense
and vehement desire to promptly crush out this rebel
don He pressed upon all in both the military and civil
service the Importance OF prompt and decisive action
He may have committed some errors; but am aure he
has done Intentional injustice to none i DO NJ know
that he has inteercd with any OF the plans OF Gen.
Mcclellan; tbut do know that he has labored with
unaaggng to place all the OF tho govern
the disposal Of General Mcclellan and other mill
stary commanders. believe that Edwin NJ Stanton de-
serves the but the gratitude Of all mon who
would promptly suppress this unhalowed rebellion. !
have intereIed either directly indirectly, with
tho plans Of General Mcclellan any other Of our mill
tary commanders; has tho Military Committee, or
any OF the members OF that committee, SO ntorfered
The Military Committee, composed OF four republicans
end three democrats, Is now and has besn unit IN ro-
gard TO military affairs The members Of the committee
may have their opinions regard 70 and operations
In the eld and individuals they may have canvassed
the acts Of military men with that freedom with which
American citizens and legislators may canvass the acts
of public in civil aud military life; but they have
mot In COMMITTEES, In the Senate, or elsewhere, at
tempted in any way to interfere with tho plans OF mill
tary commanders or advise Congress or tho govern
sment to interfere with those plans The membcrs OF
tho committee have never been actuatsd by partisan
feelings in regard to military appointments or operations
Since the commenced nearly 500 names have been
before the committee to be cnvassed and passed upon
of this number nearly $50 generals Ihaye never
been acuated by political any Of these
nominations and am sure can say the same Tor each
OF the other members OF the committee have aided IN
securing the appointment in the army OF nearly one hun
dred citizens OF Massachusetts. am sure that at least
half Of them who politically opposed TO me,
and of them, their relatives and friends have
been the active of my political enemies. In raising
my regiment last fall did not inquire into the political
sentiments Of the officers appointed and when left the
regiment placed in the hands Of Colonel Cove, OF tho
regular army most accomplished officer, and demo-
scrat trained at Concord in the schoo Of Franklin Pierce
In August last, before went home to raise my regi
sment received invitation from General Mcclellan
to 60 upon his staff The Secretary Of War; Mr. Chase,
and Mr.. Blair earnestly urged accept that position
After my return that invitation renewed, and by
the pressing advice OF the Secretary Of War and others
left my regiment against my personal wishes, from
sense CT public duty and accepted that place the last OF
October From that time for nearly three months,
q member Of General MctIelan's staff and daily at his
headquarters. Up TO the time he left Fortress Mon
roe. was almost daily at his headquarters, and am
that General Mcclellan himself, General Williams,
his Aduant General General Marcy his Inspector Gene
ra and all the other members Of his STAFF will bsarroady
testimony that was ever prompt to second his wishes.
have In all cases, in regard to officers and measures,
%endeavored promptly to comply with their requests
have believed, aud nave acted upon the belief that It
was my duty, member Of the Senate and Chairman
OF the Military Committee, to support General
and other military commanders and to place at the dis
posal or the War Department tho OF the
try, and to leave the responsibility OF action with
mandsrs. The other members OF the committee
and think may say that nearly all, IL not all, the
members OF the Senate in this opinion. Generals
Scott, Mcclellan, Fremont Mcdowell, Banks, Butler,
Burnside and other leading generals bear ample tes
tony TO this statement In regard TO the operations
in tho Gold, In civil affairs, form my opinions from
4he facts that within my knowledge and, Ia my
habit, have expressed these opinions freely perhaps too
freely but am not the partkan the enemy Of any Of
our military commanders. 20 far as he who goes
tho farthes In appaudng the successful efforts Of any
aud all of military men. regret 10 see that we
have Of who swift TO and arrngn
Others both in tho civil and military service, who
striving to impress the country with the conviction that
there Is in Congress party disposed to interfere with
tho plans o. General Mcclellan. To accomplish their
objects Of these people do not scrupe misquots
misropresent the feelings, words and Of the
they desirous Of placing in false position; but
such conduct only harm themselves Very truly
yours, HENRY WILSON.
To General JOHN s. Tyler Boston Mass