The New York herald., 1862-08-11
Is MCCLELLAN A SOLDIER
The Opening Battles Of the
Rebellion.
The "Short, Sharp, Decisive Cam
paign In Western Virginia.
What a Soldier Can Do When Untram-
melled by Politicians,
&c, DC, DO

old and unnteresting. But happy 10 think that
that class Of readers is small To the reader Of
temporaneous history the campaign in Western Virginia
Is beginning 70 be appreciated. As II was the opening
campaign Of the present rebellion, the Importance
of Its results general ISSUE the great military
genius it developed, render one Of great interest
The early agitation Of the secession question, the
and the Anal secession Of Virginia, which capped
the climax Of tho rebel coniederacy, each event
occurring In rapid succession naturally produced
much unsasiness throughout tho country especially
In those States aud particularly In those sections liable
10 be immediately affected by the operation Of hazard
GUS experiment Of wholesale rebellion. The u
Virginia was looked upon foregone conclusion long
before publicly announced secresy being observed
in order that tho leaders might improve every advantage
to make the helsh work successful The question
cession secession from the Union was offered the
people Of Virginia. The in which this election
was conducted par under the and threats Of
the rebel mob-rendered tho pop,h null and void.
The rebels carried the election and Virginia voted her
self political domnation But whe the greater portion
Of Virginia voted for secession the northern portion
embracing ten or dozen counties, known the Pan
Handle, bounded the east by tho Allegheny Noun
tsps and Pennsylvania, west by tho Ohio river north
by Pennsylvania and south by the Great Kanawha river
declared itself, BY tho popular voice, unaeraby at
tached TO the old Union. This attachment the Union
was declared individually and collectively, amid the
threats OF the few leading secessonsts that sscon
who threatened their masters vengeance upon the heads
Of these loyal vgnians The Convention for forming
State government succeeded the secession Of old
Virginia, and this followed by the establishment OF
the State Of Western Virginia. Tho noble conduct Of tho
people Of this embryo State bravo in tho extroms,
backed up "a II was By moral courage displayed only
by brave and determined people. While their con-
duct was the admiration Of all loyal citizens,
tho Governors OF Ohio and Psnnsylvania-Dsnnl-
Curtn-pledged TO the state the entire sup.
port Of tho military forces Of their States 70 protect
against the assaults Of secessonists and when the
pagn should be forced hero should be cessation OF
hosttes until tho national flag floats every part-
Gle Of national property In the country" The organiza
tion Of troops in the States OF Ohio and Pennsylvania a.
this time progressing under the call Of President
Lincoln for 5000 In the former State, in tho
early part OF May George Mcclellan then the Prcsi.
dent Civil Engineer and General Superintendent Of tho
Ohio and Mississippi Ralroad, rendered the posi-
tion BY Governor Dsnison OF major general command
Ing the Ohio militia. Almost at the time Govo.n-
or Curtin, Of Pennsylvania, made Mcclellan similar
tender, urging him TO accept Psnnsylvania his
native State; but Governor Denisons oner came nrst
and was accepted. The Governor Of Ohio, in making
this wise selection did the merits Of Cen McCsl
ans former connection officer Of the United Staos
Army, in which army ho had fought bis way TO .
csptaincy during the Mexican campaign; and
while In that capacity, as one Of the distin-
guished members Of the military commission who
visited Europe during the time Of tho struggle between
the allied forces against Russia in his absence enjoying
ample facilities for inspecting al she operations OF both
hostile camps, he was enabled TO render him.
self personally familiar with al tho details,
In every possible aspect, OF modern warfare on
gigantic soale His repsrt TO she government Of The
suit q his Observations forms OF tho most reliable
and interesting military works. In 1857 Mcclellan re-
signed his commission In the army and Immediately
msnced the civil pursuit IN which he was engaged until
tho apprcciatve tender Of the Governor OF Ohio was
made and accepted.
The early part Of May ound the robols possession OF
Harpsrs Ferry, where they had established base u
operations msnacns the States Of Maryland and Pcnnsyl
vanis The importance Of the position and Its contguy
70 the threatened point Of attack made ~ reduction
matter Of Importance, and large Union force bs
directed against IT, The attack Of this point BY single
movement was deemed unwise, and ~ IL cosld Be- ap-
preached On the Northwest via the BAnsrc and Ohio
Railroad from weatsrn Virginia. was decided 70 send
an army from that locality. This force was 70 bs under
the command Of General Mcclellan, who had already
ranired the militia Of Ohio upon the admirable Prussan
system, with one hundred thousand reserve.
On the l4th Of May, 1851, General Mcclellan received
eommissoa - major generals the United States Army,
ranking second onlysto General Scott, aud was
assigned 70 the command OF tho Department Il
the Ohio II comprised all the States q hssour nos,
Indiana Ohio and that part Of virginia lying north Of tho
Crea, Ksnawha river and wss Of the Greenbrer river
and the Maryland line, with 80 much Of Psnnsylvanis
as lies west or line drawn from tho Maryland lne TO
the northeast corner or Mexican county Tennessee and
Ksutpeky were subsequently, added.
Immediately after the formation Of the new Western
vsrxna government the rebels sent from Eastern vrg.
na en- army Under Generals Garnet and Wise and Colo
nsl rssr~n operate against asd cprress the people Of
ths new Ssse This fact demonstrated another necessity
fos NE campaign u Western Virginia
ncCsllsn, upon entering on his dutes major general
os The Ohio Forces found his army or such portion q 10
a was then raised. incongruous asssmblagc u noble
hearts bot In the chaotic military confusion, with
out Organisation good ofbceS o. leader. Here was
aed for our ysung NapolsonS master mind. He n once
entered upon bis duties with labor and aseduty which
porsendel his future He discovered that the
federal COVE amsst were not thsn prepared give him
tho immediate assistance nscssaary 10 ths prosecution
OF promp, and vigorous campaign against the rebels
and he therefore Invited the sy Governors Of the States
within his district 70 meet him IN conference u Csvs.
land Ohio This was successful and at that meeting tho
General laid before those digntares the framework Of
his plan, the aecsssity Of ~ immediate execution The
apparent diissorasss Of the government, and the ne.
csssty Of the several Northwestern states cooperating
IN the equipment Of saciens force 70 enter Western
virginia with the least possISle delay secosd anA
similar meeting wee held at indianapolis, Indiana,
where The views Of General Mcclellan were sor-
daily received ana adopted Hs time was divided 30.
tween shs camps q instruction - ndianapo Columbus,
C,neunas and Cleveland. and 70 some ~ seemed smoss
ubsQuitous, from shs rapidisy o. mn nevsmsns. ms
crude materials pscsd 10 his nands wore soos
=, A.-rss INTO something approaching military csvani>
80. n organised his qsartsrmsssr - ss@nis-
..r.. sspsrsmsn.s and Immense army tss,a; b ~
,rovsd ,be material Il the army By cppng 81 incomrs
,.u, ocsrs, and placing good ones IN their stead and ia
-. than one month his army was ready for ths western
v,un,s compaien Hors n necessary 10 diarsw fsr