The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-04-21
YANKEE HISTORY OF THEIR Last
YEARS CAMPAIGN
Why nothing scas accomplished.

Senator Wade, from the joint COMMITTEES on the
two: Houses Of the Yankee Congress, consisting O.
three, members of the Senate and four members o.
the House of Representatives, appointed in De-
eember,. 1861, with instructions to inquire into
the conduct of the present war, has presented
report with the testimony taken. Ii Is q curious
history of the campaign which the Little
Napoleon was engaged. 1t opens by stating the
fact that while Mcclellan was lying in front OF
Manassas he declined having the army divided
into army corps saying that he could easily handle
oil the troops which composed it by himself. He
neg ected to send 1000 troops to keep open the
navigation Of the Potomac which, the report says,
"csused the President manifest disappointment"
After his army got to the Peninsula, Gen. Heint-
zeman received information that the rebels had
only 10000 troops at Yorktown, and the place
might be taken. He advanced to make heavy
reconnaissance, but was recalled By Mcclellan,
who hoped that nothing had been done (by I'D to;
give the enemy information Of the line OF opera
ton Of the army" II was certain that Msgruder
had not more than 1000 men, and this was con-
frmed by "Hon. Lemue j. Bowden, of Willians-
burg" Notwithstanding all this, Mcclellan de-
tsrmined on . siege, and here is the way it re-
suited:
The returns in the Adjutsnt Generals Office, signed
BY General Mcclellan and bis Adjutant General, show
that, the 30th of April 1862 the force the Pc
ninsula under Gen. Mcclellan amounted to liz, 1862
present for duty
Ed On the lst Of May the President teegraphs to Gen.
Mcclellan: Your call for Parrot guns from Washing
ton alarms me, chiefly because it argues irdefnte
pr3cre stination. Il anything to be done?"
I'm the night OF the I'd ard the morning OF the 4.h
OF May the enemy evacuated Yorktown withon. loss
One of the witnesses testifes that Gen Mcclellan
WAS very much chagrued and mortified at the
ton "s he had made his preparations to open from his
batteries Monday, the 5th of May. The evacuation
was discovered by daylight the morning of the 4th
between ten and eleven o'clock, Gen. Stoneman with
She cavalry and some light horse artillery, started in
rnrtn't. About one o'clock, Gen. Hooker with his
division, left Yorktown with orders to support Gen
ftontman. Gems Sumner Hcinizeman and Reyes,
also moved ont during the day with the whole
portions of their corps.
III the battle of Williamsburg which followed.
Hooker, after losing LOO men, vas so hard
pressed by the rebels that he scnt Gov Spraguc
i'r achievements:
Gov. Sprague arrived Yorktown about o'clock,
having been about hour going down. He testifes
that when Gen. Mcclellan told the condition of
aars at the 'front.' he remarked that he had supposed
those in front could attend to that little matter"
After some time, Gen. Mcclellan started from York
town, and reached the vicinity Of Williamsburg about
alive O'clock in the afternoon.
That night the enemy evacuated their position at
Williamsburg. Gen. Mcclellan states that after he
arrived the field he satisfied that the enemy
bad been hencn and would be compelled TO eyacnate
their position that night or he taken at great dissd
vantage, that be countermanded orders the divisions
Of Richardson and Sedgwisk and sent them back 10
Yorktown.
Then the long stay on the Chickahominy,
and then McClellan's heart failed him. The re-
port says:
Gen. Mcclellan continued calling for renfercements
representing that the force of the enemy in his front
was superior to his own, and that the force under
Gen Mcdowell would do for the protection of
Washington, IL sent to hes army, than in any other
position in which it could be placed. In a letter
written the 2lst Of May, he asks that Gen. Nc
DoHes corps be sent to him by water rather than by
land, the more expeditions rode and that he and
he nNnl fV nNeA nnlor or6arS SIsr
the ordinary way" lie closes his letter by saying,
u believe there is great struggle before this army
but am neither dsmayed nor discouraged. wish to
strengthen i's force much cam but in any event
shall fight with all the skill and caution and deter
mnation that possess. Aud trust that the result
may either obtain for the permanent confidence of
my Government, or that it may close my career.
The affair IF Seven Pines is next given by the
committee. They say:
The officers engaged in that battle who have been
examined, testify that the army could have pushed
right to the city Of Richmond with little resistance
that the enemy were very much broken and democrat
Ifed-throwing away arms, clothing, etc, that might
impede their flight. Gen Mcclellan seems to have
contemplated An immediate movement upon Richmond
far the Gay after the battle, June 3D. he writes to the
Secretary Of War
1.-THE enemy attacked in force and with great spirit
yesterday morning, but everywhere most signally
repalssd, with great loss Our troops charged fire.
qnenty on both days and uniformly broke the enemy
The respt is, that our left is within four miles of
with the rest of the force, and make general attack
Should find them holding firm in o very strong posi-
tion, may wait for what troops bring up from
Fortress Monroe. But the my troops is now
such that venture much / do not fear for odds
against The victory is complete and all credi, is
due to the gallsntry of our officers and men,"
The movement not made, however because
Gen. Mcclellan states, of the high stage of water md
she bad roads.
The deception practiced on the young Napoleon
about sending Confederate troops from Rch:no
10 reinforce jackson, is thus described:
On the 18th OF June Gen Mcclellan telegraphs to
the Secretary of War that he has received information
from deserte-s to the effect that troops have left Rich
mond to reinforce Jackson; that the movement COM
menced on the 18th, and that If reinforcemen.s have
gone to Jackson they probably than 10 600
men; that he cannot vouch for the truth of the state
ment but that it pretty certain that is believed
IN Richmond and among the rebel troops. To this the
President replies the dey that the
lis corroborated by dispatch from General King at
fredericksburg, and remarks: "If this true il il "A
good rs reinforcement to you of IN equal force"
On the same day Gen. Mcclellan teleeraphs to
the President:
"a general engagement may take place at any hour
An advance BY us involves battle more or less de-
sisve The enemy exhibit every point a readiness
30 meet They certainly have great numbers and
extensive works. If ten fifteen thousand men have
eft Richmond to reinforce Jackson illustrates their
itrength aud confidence. After tomorrow We shall
sght the rebel army soon Providence will per-
hit We shall await only favorable condition of the
garth aud sky and the completion of some necessary