The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-12-17


Washington D. c., Nov. Sd '62.
Dear Sir:-The sanitary condition
of myself and Regiment is very good, and
| think on the mend at that The wealth.
er here is rather cold. We have had
fall of three inches of snow, which laid
one day. There is a popularity in this
climate. The nights are disproportion-
ately cold.
The great obstacle in the way of rapid
advances-forward movements aud reso-
lutte continuance in we'll dong-has been
removed. The career of this title Napo-
pcleon has been marked by one continued
series of delays. The administration has
tolerated him much longer than the best
interests of the country would warrant.
[ will not attempt to throw any light up
on his conduct in the peninsula campaign;
for during that time | was in another SER
vice; but will only say that lost faith
in him when he SO long delayed moving
upon Manassas, and finally did move there
to find himself opposed only by Eastwood
guns-and not manned at that The
things hoped for are still in the womb of
the uncertain future, and the things not
seen have not yet made their appearance
For long time the soldiers were perfectly
blinded by their devotion-and never un-
til after the battle of Antietam, his great
est battle and only victory, did he appear
10 front of his army without being en-
Enthusiastically cheered. Then he rode
along the lines in full uniform, and the
soldiers remained sullenly silent. A few
officers who attempted to raise a shout
succeeded very poorly. Then again he
reviewed his army near Bakersville Nd.
Mr.. Lincoln was everywhere cheered, and
everywhere the little Napoleon was not
These men had come and seen and con-
quered, and had been cheated of the
fruits of their victory by the incapacity
or tr9achery of their commander The
small show of victory actually gained, was
gained by their personal valor and per-
severance against The fearful disadvantage
of bad management Oh Tue part their COM
mander; and they were in no humor to
exalt him as a hero longer. They had
toe long been made to believe that his
unaccountable maneu7ers, were but the
manifestations Of his copsummate ability,
and that his shameful failures were only
parts of well digested system Of strate-
gy, too choice to be revealed aud too pro-
found to be understood by other men, and
in fact fully conceived only in his own
Napoleonic mind. This joke would go
down no longer, Mcclellan worship was
forever at an end, change had come
over the spirit Of the dream of every hon.
est Intelligent soldier 10 the army.
Concerning the conduct of this quou-
dam hero at Antietam, it might not be
amiss for one who had some opportunity
of seeing and hearingto descantsomewhat
The plan of that battle was briefly this.
The enemy was strongly post6d, in front
of Sharpsburg We were to attack them
there. We formed a line of battle four
miles long with sold lighting Hooker" on
the right, Burnside on the left, and Fitz
John Porter's Corps in the center, to act
as reserves, and also make an artillery
demonstration upon the enemy at that
point. The enemy had two avenues OF
escape in case of defeat, the Shepherds
town road. This plan carried out the en-.
emy must have been ours. On Tuesday
afternoon Hooker crossed the creek, and
by series of well planned and promptly
executed movements, unmasked the rebel
front; his eagle eye took in everything
at glance he at once took the very
strongest position nearest the enemy aud
at onee proceeded to engage them which
be continued in a very spirited manner
until dark, and then sent word to McClel, |
Ian that he should be up and at it again
at daylight, aud wanted Sumner to be on
the ground promptly at that time. At
daybreak he begun, he fought with a !
skill and courage truly admirable until |
nine a. m., when he was wounded Sum |
ner arrived at this time, and took com.
maud. He went in headIong, and was
whipped in less than an hour. He had
lost all the ground gained by Hooker and
5000 men ID killed and Wounded
Burnsides attack which any fool might !
know ought to have been made simulta !
neously with Hooker's, was now ordered, |
or rather permitted for the old hero of
Newbern, would no longer Oa restrained
He, like the Others, was sent unaided /
against the enemy whose attention vas
not diverted from him in the least, by |
any other aneuver. He was Of course
checked" soon after crossing the bridge,
about this time kln-but without
orders-reeommeneed the fight 90 the
right aud gained back what Summer had
lost. No support was sent him aud be
could do no more. This brings it down
to p. M nc general attack or conosntTa-
ted effort had yet been. made. At this
time Burnside was informed-and he