The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-07-12

Chief in taking the course he did, which
would remain unexplained to the world, and
which they could not possibly understand
if explained. They did not seem to con-
slider that General Mcclellan was recon-
mended for the position he occupies by one
of the best Generals, and one of the best
Judges of military talent, that ever lived.
They did not seem 10 consider that he had
been kept in the position of Commander
in Chief by the Administration from month
to month, which must of necessity have
known whether or not he was competent to
the task and that that Administration
loved the Union and the lives of Union sol
diers as well as they do themselves, and
could not keep Mcclellan in this high and
important position unless he did possess
some little degree of military talent. That
General has been denounced at Wholesale by
the New York Tribune, than whom no pa
per in the country that processes to lead the
people takes more false positions or is more
unscrupulous. All the blame of our re-
verses before Richmond are laid at his
door.
Now the truth of the whole affair is, as
near as we can judge by the Geographic re-
ports, that Little Mac. concluded it would be
advantageous to his army to change its posi-
ton. The new field offered many advan-
tages as base of operations against Rich
mond that the old one did not possess.
He had immense supplies and army stores
stretched along his whole line, aud he sue
ceeded in saving it all except one wagon.
He only lost one siege gun, while he took
thirty pieces of artillery from the enemy.
He captured whole brigade at one time,
and at another took 700 more prisoners.
He fought seven days, during four of which
he held the enemy in check, and the other
three were downright repulse and terrible
slaughter to the enemy. The highest
estimate Of our loss. is twenty thousand,
while the Rebels admit loss of $4,000.
He says himself. that he whipped them ev-
cry day. He reached his new position,
which it is said cannot be fanked by any
force. It is more healthy, and is within
reach of his gunboats, and any reinforce
ments which may come to his aid. In fact,
he accomplished all he undertook, and sa-
we'd his army from being taken prisoners,
as they would have been by the Rebels,
in the old position, from the fact that they
had three men to his one. The only ten
able argument which the enemies of
Mcclellan can bring against him is ''Why
did he not take this position in the first
place ?" We would as lief trust his judg-
ment in the matter as that of the thousands
who are denouncing him as failure. It is
all very well for US to talk; but every good
and true Union man ought to give his whole
support to our officers, especially where they
do as we'll as Nc Clellan has donein this last
affair. Merely because he is not our favor
lite for the position he holds, we ought not
to denounce him. Every mans good opin-
ion will strengthen him, and it ought to be
given regardless of prejudices. If he had
had the reinforcements which he had been be-
seecbing the Secretary of War to send to
him, ever since he started to Richmond, that
city would now be in our hands. According
to the best information, he had only $4,000
men, while the rebel force was 100000.
Strange as this may seem, it is undoubtedly
true, and is admitted by the New York
7Ti6Wne-one of his bitterest enemies.
Altogether we think Mcclellan has done
we'll, and we have more faith in him to-day
than ever before. We cannot look upon the
seven days. fight before Richmond as a Sc
rious defeat. Of course, the loss of 49,
900 or go. 700 of our brave boys is a sad
thing without greater results than were
achieved on the, ''great retreat" but taken
all in all, we, for our part, feel thankful that
it was not worse.
Several members of the Society of Friends