Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-28


To the President, as Commander Chief
Of the army, belongs the duty Of directing the
movements Of his subordinate officers in the
various departments. The President, not be-
ing military man, relied upon the councils
of the veteran Gen. Scott, until his resigna-
tion left the President no alternative but to
call TO his aid some one Of the many generals
who wero fighting the battles of the country
in the field Gen. Mcclellan was the one
selected, and coming to his new position, at
the same time the commander of the army
Of the Potomac and the Commanding General
Of the whole army, flushed with a series Of
brilliant victories in Western Virginia, the
whole Of the loyal portion Of the country was
iubuant in his praises, and the prudence Of
the President in his selection was commended
on all sides. Gen Mcclellan at,onee entered
upon the work assigned him, prepared his
plans and organized or directed the organizing
the armies for the various departments, pre-
paratory to concerted sction against the
whole line Of rebel defenses As command
ing General Of the army it was his particular
province to see that the movements in each
department were not such as to distract or
defeat those of another. The whole field Of
operations was to him a military chess board
the others, and the strategetic combinations
must be arranged in view Of final check
mate Of the enemy. How far these combina-
iions have been successful, let the glorious
victories Of the past few months attest
Pawns, castles and knights have been captur-
ed at Mill Springs, Fort Henry, Fort Donel-
son, Roanoke Island Port Royal and along
the whole line Of advance. until the enemys
kings were endangered at Columbus, Bowling
Green and Manassas, and he has been com
PEELED TO withdraw them to a more feasible
and easily defended position. The superior
ity of the Union strategists has been clearly
proved, and the weakness Of the enemy as
clearly shown. Now we submit to the coun-
try whether no praise is due to those who
have so skllfully managed the combined at
tacks as that no important losses have occur
red along the whole line since they have com
menced in earnest; And who will dare to
say that the prospect Of final success to the
Union army is not more certain, and the fu-
ture combinations more easy to be made to-
day than before the enemy met with such
disastrous losses, and were driven TO mar
rover line Of deenses The feld Of opera
tions for our armies is narrowed Just in pro-
portion to the withdrawal Of the enemy from
their advanced positions; and as our line of
advance is shortened. lust in that 9sopo-,io-.
can the whole be strengthened Tor a final at
tack upon weakened and defenseless foe,
and the checkmate rendered sure.
To whom are we to attribute the plans which
have resulted in these brilliant successes but
to the Commanding General of the army, to
whom the President as Commander-in-Chief
of the army has confded the work Of solving
the problem Of 6nal success? Gen. Mcclellan
has thus far found himself equal to the task in
hand, and palsied be that arm that would
strike from his chaplet a single star that right
fully belongs to it.
l1uk UtNtheE We AuuH utlthA tut ANNNht
Commanding General, we by no means de-
tract from the glory that should be given to
others who have taken a conspicuous part in
the general drama. If, as Gen. Burnside has
admitted, to Gen. Mcclellan is to be attrlbut-
cd the general instructions under which he has
achieved the glorious victories OF Roanoke
and Newbern, to Gen Burnside mus. also be
given the credit of filling up and carrying out
the detail which has rendered his campaign
on the North Carolina coast so successful and
the brave officers and men under him must
not be forgotten in our praise either of the
man who directed the expedition or the one
who has had the immediate oversight Of it.
Each in his appropriate sphere is entitled to
his Just share Of the credit for final success,
So in the West if in the opinion of the
Commander-n-C Chief, or his principal adviser
it was necessary, in order to the grand sue
cess Of the whole campaign, that the army
should advance along the whole length of The
Western line, to Gen Haleck is due tn,
credit of carrying out the instructions given
him so that at no point should he fail OF sue
cess and Commodore Foote, Gen. Seigel
Gen. Grant, and all the officers and men On.
der them are entitled to their full share in th'
glory Of the victories they have Won. AND
so 10 all the other departments.
But in giving to the commanding General
Of he various departments, and those unde
their command, the credit that rightfully be
longs to them, it is not necessary to detrae
one iota from the skill and military strateg!
that has directed the whole and when th
rebellion shall have been completely crushed
out just and generous people will award t
each their appropriate share of the honor. AM
we verify believe that could the veil be lifted to
day from the mystery that overshadows tn
military movements that have recently bee
made the people would frown upon attempt
that are being made, as we conceive for parti
san ana political purposes. to break down an
disgrace valuable and efficient officers. Bu
the clouds will be cleared away in due time
and we shall be enabled to see things in thei
true light Until that time comes, let us WA
/ with natience trustinO IN the ability of th