New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-06
Irs SEVERAL CAMPAIGNS.
WHY MCCLELLAN WAS REMOVED
NE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
OF BURNSIDE.

WNDUCT OF THE WAX.
In Dece uber, 1s61, a joint committee Of the two
houses Of Congress, consisting of three members OF
a, Senate and four members Of the House of Rep
,sntatiyes, was appointed, with instructions to In
,rre into the conduct Of the present war.
ye4 Committee proceeded to the discharge Of the
irs avolved upon them, ana have labored zeal
.lty and tbsx. trust, faithfully, for that purpose
AsvidsncsSSfD 81, they would refer to the large
mas, of Testimony taken by them, upon many sub
;sss and herewith reported.
The subject of inquiry referred 20 them was on g
si the utmost importance and magnitude. Upon
"tbe conduct of the present war" depended the
pue Of the experiment inaugurated by our fathers,
after 30 much expenditure of blood and treasure
Tie establishment of nation founded upon the ca
padty of man for self-government. The nation was
Engaged in contest for its very exstence; rebel
bon unparalleled in history, threatened the over
throw Of our free institutions, and tho most prompt
end vigorous measures were demanded by every
consderation of honor patriotism, and due regard
ios the prosperity and happiness Of the people.
Your Committee could perceive no necessity for
recommending any particular legislation 10 Con-
gress Its previous course showed that no such re-
sOnmendation required. When Congress met
the preceding July, fresh from the peopie-caiied
upon 70 provide for the safety Of the Government
and the maintenance of the national honor and ex
iEeDCP-tQe
evidence that they comprehended the duty devolved
mon them, and had the courage and will to fully
discharge it. The administration called by the peO-
pe TO the head of the Government IN this the most
critical period of the nations history, was more
promptly and fully supported than that Of any
other Government of which history has pre-
seryed any record. The call Of the President for
money and men had been more than complied
With no legislation which he had deemed
necessary had been denied by Congress, and the
cd ost blv ed
sustained what their representatives had promised
In their name. The Congress fresh from their
constituents, had again met, and there could be 20
doubt that they had before acted, so would they
continue to act 1t needs but TO refer to the history
Of the Congress just closed it's prompt and thorough
action, clothing the Executive with the fullest
power placing at his disposal all the resources OF
men and money which this nation possessed, TO
prove that your Committee judged rightly that Con.
gress needed no prompting from them 10 do its en-
tire duty.
Not upon those whose duty it was TO provide the
means necessary to put down the Rebeihoo, but
upon those whose duty it was to rightfolly apply
those MEANS and the agents they employed for that
purpose rested the blame, if any that the hopes Of
The nation have not been realized, and its expsca-
tons have go long been disappointed.
Your Committee therefore concluded that they
would best perform their duty by endeeyorlpg 10
obtain such information in respect to the conduct Of
the war a. would best enable them TO advise what
mistakes bad been made an the past ana the proper
course 10 be pursued in the futures TO obtain such
information as the many and aborious duties OF the
Presidents and his Cabinet prevented them from ac
curing, and to lay 1t before them with such recon-
mendatious aud suggestions as seemed 10 be most
imperalvely demanded; and the Journal OF the pro-
csedings of your Committee shows that, Tor o long
time thew were in constant communication with The
President and bis CABINET and neglected no oppor-
tunity Of at laying before them the information
acquired by them in the course Of their investi-
cations. ...
themselves for the consideration OF your Committee,
spy one of which might well require the action OF
committee for ITSELF and all Of which, If fully in
yestigated, would demand the attention OF all tue
representatives in Congress. 1t was apparent from
the first that your Committee would be compelled TO
sonfine their attention 70 few OF tho moro prom
insnt subiects of INQUIRY TO those the investigation
Of which would best enable them 70 comprehend
the causes snd necessity, if any, for the delay and
iaaction characterzing the operations OIL our armies
IN the field.
And while each OF those subjects has received
nom them she attention which its Importance
perted 90 far as they were able to give H. the at
hntion of your Committee has been turned more
particularly TO the history Of the Army Of the Poto
nae. In the history OF that army Is 10 be found all
that ia necessary to enable your Committee TO report
UPON {" the conducS Of ohe war" Had that army
fcl6llsd all that q generous and conhding people
ware justified in expecting from it, this rebellion
bad long since been crushed, and the blessings OF
pace restored to this nation. The failure OF that
rmy TO foGll those expectations has prolonged this
contest 10 the present time, win all its expenditure
Of life aud treasure, for 1t has TO great extent neu'
tralizsd, If not entirely destroyed the legitimate
fruits which would otherwise have been reaped
from our glorious victories in the West
Therefore while your Committee have not failed
take the testimony Of Witnesses in relation to MIL
harry operations In other parts OF the country, and
Lso upon various subjects to which their attention
hss been specially directed by Congress and the
War Department since the Committee was hrst ap- |
pointed, the principal part OF the testimony taken
BY them relates 10 the Army of the Potomac and
hose subjects more immediately connected with It's
operaiions They have taken the testimony OF nearly
90 witnesses, almost entirely men ia tue military
krviee Of the Government, including about l0O
GENERALS.
The disaster At Bull Run in July. 1861, was fully
INVESTIGATED 10y your COMMITTEES, as being the hIst
conflict OF the national troops with armed treason
pon the field Of battle and also because the troops
here engaged formed the nucleus aronnc which has
raee been collected the vast and magnificent Army
u the Potomac. The result Of theli investigation
your Committee submit in q separate report.
Your Committee have also investigated the disaster
Balls Bluff that battle being the first conflict Of
sny extent in which any OF the troops Of the army
Of the Potomac were engaged after its re-organiza-
hop A separate report Of that disaster is also sub
nittsd.
Immediately upon the organization o. your Com
nittee, aud before proceeding TO the taking Of any
testimony, they addressed " Cen Mcclellan, who,
BY the retirement OF Gen. Scott, had become Gem
srshin-Chief Of the Army, the following commun-
esiioni ,t A. 4'.i
wAsnISoros, ID. c., Dec. 81, 1861.
SIRi You aware that Joint conaittee has been ~.
pointed senate Of Representatives TO IN
aufe Into the conduct Of the war Our Committee OF
Meeting hold this morning unanimousiy expressed desire
before In their duties TO have an interview
9th the CAPITOL at such time AZ may suit
youI convenience, view Of pressing
Our place Of usetipe IL tie room OF the COMMITTEES
Territories Of tho Senate. ID .. ..... Mt.
' very '''''''4H'' 'iBi'f WADE Chairman.