The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-23

The DEFEScE OF WAsHINGToN-FAcrs AND
FIGURES AGAINST SENATOR CnANDLER-In his
rabid onslaught upon General Mcclellan
Senator Chandler states that only 10000 men
were left for the defence Of Washington in
March last; and yet the General of the Army OF
the Potomac called for more achievements on
the peninsula, when he knew there were none
that could be spared. To those who have not
kept the run of the movements OF the army,
as our newspaper men have done, this state
mcnt may seem plausible. But how little truth
there is in it, and how reckless Senator Chand-
ler it, few facts and figures will show.
According to a former speech Of this gentle
man, as reported by telegraph from Washing
ton there was only the Nineteenth regiment
left to defend the federal capital. But, accord
ing to the same suthority-a later account
there were 10000 effective men. But the whole
army in Virginia, according to Chandler, num-
bered 100000. Yet Mcclellan had only $4,000
to operate on the peninsula, garrison all the
towns and take Richmond, defended by rebel
force of two hundred thousand men. There
would thus be $4,000 left. What became Of
them? oSHc< rf U .
We can tell the Senator. When Mcclellan
left for Richmond 1900 old troops constituted
the permanent garrison in tho Notifications at
Washington on the other side Of the Potomac
They were well drilled in working the heavy
guns, aud could keep at bay an army Of $4,000
men. At this side Of the Potomac, in the city
Of Washington, were 5000 new troops. Banks,
within days march Of Washington, had rs ,OOo'
including several batteries of light artillery
though Chandler said the other day there was
not single gun left on wheels for the defence
of the capital. Besides this force there were
six regiments of cavalry around Washing
ton, and General Dix had six thousand at Bal
timore and on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road-all within striking distance Of Washing
ton To make assurance doubly sure, Summers
division was kept in front OF Washington till
Banks could get in proper position for its de-
fence. After all these, we know that Nc
Dowell's army of 10000 was retained for the
defence of the capital. sst'1r'oS
& Now lot us see what all these figures will
foot up. They amount to an army Of $4,000
men. And yet we are told that Washington was
stripped Of troops in order to reinforce General
Mcclellan. Twenty or thirty thousand more men
might have been safely sent to the peninsula, or
to Richmond by way Of the Rappahannock and
Fredericksburg, without in the least cndanger
ing the safety Of Washington. There would
have been over forty thousand left for
lis immediate defence, which, in such strong
works, would have been ample; while
those sent forward from the Rappahannock
would have covered Washington in that diree-
ton. What then becomes Of the wild state
ments OF the radical Senator, which can have no
other effect, if believed, than TO impair the con-
idence Of the Army Of the Potomac in its
General, throw damper on the martial en-
thusiasm Of the country, and prevent enlist
ments for the war! A man so reckless as to en-
dorse at this late day the DID, stale stories SO
often refuted about Quaker guns at Manassas
may well be doubted in any statement his ma
lignant passions or the interests Of his faction
may prompt him to make. But we trust that
Michigan will take care Of Chandler and oil
men Of his ilk