The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-11
Where Rests the Responsibility!

Mr Wilkinson, the correspondent of the
New York Tribune with Gen McClellan's ar
nv writes from the retreating lines these
words of scorching condemnation Of those
WHO, in his opinion, are responsible for the
isa,ter to our army in Virginia -
We march now through the White Oak
,gamp, to change, in twelve hours time,
he base of a great army-doomed where it
vas, and having now but little grace of de-
ay accorded to it by an active and brave en-
smy, numerous enough to encircle US at any
point and to outnumber US at all. The
movement is bold, soldier-like and brilliant,
but eminently hazardous. 1t is made by the
.sat of the burning Of every one of the
ridges which we have so painfully thrown
over the Chickahominy, and within hearing
Of the destruction, by our own hands, of the
.ailroad which gave us supplies and was to
secure US retreat The movement will prob
ably be successful, though its trail will be
toody. The world will regard it as mas
.erly stroke Of genius. The army will so re-
gard it, and will feel for its commander the
.lmiraton and gratitude that savers of men
ever enkindle in loyal hearts. But the bril-
ancy of this movement will not for an in
slant dazzle the eyes of the wronged and
wrathfll men of the army of the Potomac,
Tor will it dazzle the sight of the angry peo-
pie so as for moment to obscure their per-
:eptons of the crime against the nation,
which has made this change of base and
+Ont imperiously necessary. This crime is
he refusal to reinforce Mcclellan. l don't
are about the question-which legislators,
soldiers and politicians have debated-of
MS generals fitness to command. The
York and James river peninsula was not the
pace for that discussion. The hour of the
motion of Beau:egard's and Jackson's fore
es 10 those of Johnston is not the time for
4ch debate. ! care not for any criticism
HGen McClellan's campaign on this penin'
,la or on the Potomac. have blows, but
'otaword, for the untimely casuist, in OF
out Of administrative office, who, under the
roar Of rebel cannon sweeping our ranks
with shot and shell, meets the demand fol
all TO this army with chronological
Measure of delays at Fort Monroe, at York
town. at Williamsburg, at Seven Pines.
don't care whether there were delays or NJ
deays-whether they were McClellan's de
ayS the quartermaster generals delays, o.
'ae delays CT the elements! No man, NJ
party no interest, SHALL with my assent o
my silence be permitted to mix up with tn
'1cFed right of an outnumbered American
army to demand help from their countryme1
and to promptly receive it, collateral ques
Ions OF fitness, of vigor, of fidelity in com
manders. When loyal New York regiments
'''ed from their feet by the fire Of rebt
oF'sades, cry out of their wounds and deaf
~ heIp; when the choicest of New Eng glan
-A1 Michigan and Pennsylvania troops, out
"lmoered in front and on both fianks b
whole divisions Of the enemy, beg for reir
'''cements, | say that the blackest Grim
mat power can commit is to stalk upon tn
NAI,
~F4 OF peril and say, Soldiers, / have n
'i''A IN ysnr commander! Let your ma
!F0om proceed" And so say this army
"e Potomac. And it registers to-nisl
vows OF vengeance as it marches in the dal
"o'" position which their diminisht
''lilheFs disabled them from holding, b
"A!cA is consecrated to them forever
'"T' suierinss, their labors, and the
"f'Ass The politicians and statesmen wi
,e'' Us here to be outnumbered and cut
.''H' cur supplies and the possibility Of r
"ea' are doomed men,"