The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-26
The Way Truth Vfndfcates Mcclellan.

1t seems something almost providential,
the manner in which the character of Nc
GILLIAN is indicated by the facts which
are brought to light, day by day. Thus, it
will be remembered that prominent point
on which radical criticism expended its
force, was, that, while on the Peninsula,
he extended his right wing SO far to the
North OF Richmond, as to leave that por-
ton of his army open to the attack which
followed, under "Stonewall" JACKSON,
and Which forced him to change his base
to the James River This fact was cited
by CHANDLER, in the Senate, in his drunk
en- TRADE against MCCLELLAN, and was
echoed by the radical press throughout the
North, as gross blunder, and as conclu-
sive proof that MCCLELLAN was incompe-
tent for command.
Among the documents brought to light
in the Mcdowell Court of Inquiry, how
ever, is letter from Secretary STANTON
to General MCCLELLAN, showing that this
very movement of extending the right
wing, which was done by throwing FIrz
JOHN PoRTERs corps as far up as Hanover
Court House, and within twelve miles Of
MCDowELL's pickets, was performed I'M
der STATIONS explicit orders, and with
the promise that MCDOWELL should form a
junction with him. SrANToN's letter to
MCCLELLAN contains the following:
1.-THE President is not willing to uncover the
capital entirely, and it is believed that if even
this were prudent it would require more time
to effect junction between your army and that
of the RappahannOck by the way OF the POto-
mac and York rivers than by a land march. In
order, therefore to increase the strength of the
attack upon Richmond at the earliest possible
moment, General Mcdowell has been ordered
to march upon that city by thej shortest
route. He is Ordered-keeping himself always
in position to cover the capital from all possible
attack-so to operate as to put his left wing in
communication with your right and you are
instructed to cooperate so as to establish this
communication as soon as possible. By extend
ing your right wing to the north of Richmond
it is believed that this communication can be
safely established, either north or south of the
Pamunkey river. In any event, you will be
able to prevent the main body of the ene-
my's forces from leaving Richmond and falling
in overwhelming force upon General Mellow
ell He will move with between thirty-tive and
forty thousand men.
MCCLELLAN, as was his duty, acted
promptly in accordance with these instruc-
tons. The manner in which the promise
of MCDOWELL advance to meet him was
kept, is known to the country. The very
morning-the 25th of May, we believe
! on which MCDOWELL was to have marched
South, his whole force was turned towards
the North, on the insane errand of bagging
JACKSON in the Shenandoah valley. Nc
DowELL inveighed against the order-prO-
tested that it was impossible of accom-
plishment- prophesied that it would prove
"a crushing blow to us and did every
thing in his power to induce the PRESIDENT
and STANTON to change it, and permit the
programme agreed on to be carried out.
The severance of the forces, however, was
insisted on; MCCLELLAN, unadvised of the
change, extended his right wing as ordered;
the assistance he had been promised and
expected was withheld the whole force
of JACKsoN's escaping from the pursuit of
FREMONT and Mcdowell, fell upon Nc
CLELLAN's right, which had been exposed
and weakened by STATIONS order, and
forced it back-compelling its lretreat to
James River, with the balance of the Army
of the Potomac, to save the whole from
destruction
g soil &h.A Nou