Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-07-14

1lCOiChdh , OlN az IOluCSS A1uufNts
April 1850
Losses from sickness, II days. .3S, 500
Losses in battle before June 25.. Is. 900
Total losses before that date........ SO. 500
Leaving. $500
Add McCall's and other reinforcements. Is, 900
Add returned cOnyalescents. .......... 5000
Making McClellan's force June 25... IS 900
So there is the answer to Senator Chambers
impudent resolution introduced in the Senate yes
terday.
The commencement Of the great disaster, the
defeat of McCall and Porter near Mechanlcsyille,
took place on Thursday, June %. Headquarters
were moved down to Savage Station on Friday.
Brave old Heintzelman remained there, keeping
the hungry myriads of the enemy at bay until
Saturday night. We retained possession Of the
telegraph till that time. but Gen. Mcclellan aban-
doned its use on the preceding day, in order that
his dispatches might not be intercepted BY the en-
emy. On Friday morning he sent his last tele
graphic dispatch to the Government at Washing
ton, merely stating that the movement towards
t e James river way well under way, and bidding
adieu tor a few days until his communications
should be re-opened by way of the James river.
He had previously communicated his situation
fully to the Government. The War Department
was fully aware of il. But even when this final
message came, and it was known that Mcclellan
was cut off, Stanton had the audacity to say, in
effect, that the movement which he proposed was
a very simple one, quite easy TO be executed, as
the roads were good, and one which would in
vOlve no loss of life or property on the part of
the army; that the rebel strength at Richmond
had always been overrated; that it was no greater
than ours, if as great; that it was ridiculous to
suppose that either Beauregard himself or any
Mani Of Ii o--- 49, - - -.
Gen. Jackson was nearer Winchester than Rich
mOnd. He spoke sneeringly, at the same time,
OF Gen. Mcclellan TOR having failed to take
Richmond, and for being now obliged to retreat
Then came four or five days of fearful sus-
pense. No news could be heard from the army.
The War Department had promised to give TO
the public any news from Mcclellan, good or
bad. 1t filsified that promise as it has many
others. Here was a fact. that McClellan's tele-
graphic communication with the government had
been cut off. The people did not know it, and
Stanton refused to permit it to be published,
Nothing could be learned. The public anxiety
was intense. Apprehensions of fearful disasters
were entertained. Men held their breath, and
put their ears to the ground to hear the echo of
McClellan's guns. The first news came on Tues
day, in the shape of rumors brought up in the
steamer of that morning to Baltimore. 1t took
the shape that "McClellan's army had been de
feated before Richmond, was retreating. and had
been nearly annihilated; that Gen. Mcclellan
himself had been compelled to take refuge on
board of a gunboat in the James river" These
rumOrs were not sent by telegraph, but they were
quickly dispatched by mail, with railroad speed,
all, over the country. On Tuesday afternoon, a
swift steamer came down the James river to
Fortress Monroe with the real facts OF the re-
treat, which we're Immediately communicated 10y
telegraph to the War Department. That night
there was mourning in tens of thousands OF tami-
lies at the North. But what was that to the
charlatan OF the War Department. Did he re-
spect the grief of thirty Thousand iresides which
he had desolatedg Not he. He shut up in the
dungeons of Fort McHenry a man who might
have told the truth (but who had not done SOY.
and concocted and sent over the wires a mani
festo calling the defeat "a glorious victory" as
if that glittering falsehood would restore 10 ach
ing hearts and weeping eyes the mangled remains
of thousands of beloved ones left to the mercy
of the enemyl
Thursday came. Bearers Of dispatches for the
Government arrived here direct from Harrison's
Landing. accompanied by a few other persons
who had witnessed and participated in the re-
treat. Tn game was up. Further concealment
was useless. The next morning, the anniver-
sary of independence, the truth was published to
the world.
The Secretary Of War was now in ga fix" he
called around him his boon companions-his
OnanuiefS, DIS Ndue>s Ills LONt"lo anu tue
other haters Of McClellan-to concoct a plan
certainly not to save Mcclellan, who was at
that very moment risking his life for his coun-
try. The plan was formed; but it vas agreed
to wait a few days in order 10 see the tone of the
pres.
The tone Of the press was not remarkably en-
couraging. Ali the honest and independent news
papers in the land called out in thunder tones for
tie instant dismissal of the of the msn, Stanton.
The President began to look upon hin cOldly.
He instructed Chandler, therefore, to Introduce
this resolution, knowing well that it can never be
complied with, and that the interests of the ser
vice will not permit the publication Of the details
it calls for: but seeking, by appearing to desire
the publication, to throw the odium on General
Mcclellan. Stanton himself will prevent the
publication, if there is any possibility of the
disclosures being made. The disclosure Of the
documents named in the resolution would be
death to Stanton. l hope the disclosures will be
made. The publication of the documents would
be an act of justice to Mcclellan, for il would
forever silence his calumniators.