The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-01-03
From the st. Lsais R.epublica
The Shenandoah Campaign.

Reliable history is often tardy, but truth
is mighty and will prevail If the military
courts Of investigation, now sitting IN
Washington result in NO other good, the
country will be indebted to them for much
interesting information that might have
otherwise lain in Dusty piSeon-hole for
years.
The amount of testimony, bearing upon
the terrible mismanagement of our present
arwhich has been elected by those courts
is already Overwhelming. 1t is somewhat
remarkable that while little or nothing
has been proved upon the officers who
have been accused Of misconduct, the de-
yelopa,ents make with crushing weight
against the authorities who Instituted the
proceedings. The opportunities neglected
and thrown away by the Administration
the tickle vscilations from timidty to
rashness, and from nervous, unhealthy
energy to temperizing inaction-the in
stances Of hesitation to adopt true princi
Piles Of the military art and Of obstinate
persistence in falsed ones-thc cropping
ignorance and stolid stupidity OF the War
Department-thc.e and much else of like
character are shown up. and by the official
but secret records that are now being
brought under the eyes Of a curious public.
The country reads them with amazement,
and considers them wish indignation.
General Mcclellan, who, next TO Scott,
is unauestionably the highest military au-
thority in America, has sworn that had
the detached corps of General Mcdowell
followed him 20 the Peninsula at the time
of the siege of York town, tho Army of the
Potomac would certainly have taken pos
session Of Richmond. lie has testified
further that had General Mcdowell CO.
operated with the army in May, when its
right wing was extendedto to Hanover Court
House, the same result would have been
attained. The positiveness and empasis
whith which this sworn statement is made,
allow US no room to question its entire
truth The fact did not even need so emf
neat an Endorsement, nor can any criticism
effect the conclusion to which all WELL
informed men had come long before Nc
Clellan testimony was given. @-sr
Mcdowell, it turns out, was anxious to
contribute to this grand consumnaation,
| thereby assisting to substantially end the
| rebellion six months ago. They would not
! let him at Washington. Herennonstrated,
but the War Department was imprevious
to his patriotic appeals Mcclellan asked
| for reinforcernents which were refused.
The President wrote to Mcclellan that
Stonswail Sackson hae entered the Shen-
| andoah Valley aud that this move was
! equal 10 fifteen thonsaRd reinforcements
| to the Army Of the Potomac. Mcclellan
| answered that Jackson's movement was
for nothing except TO prevent additional
troops being forwarded to the peninsula
ane that jackson would hasten back If he
found his expedition did not have that ef
+! feet A letter from Johnstea to jackson
! whieh was intercepted, betrayed this to bs
the very object. as stated by Mcclellan
Yet the War Department weuld not be
heve. and repeated the orksr to Mcdowell
to 70 70 the fel.ef Of Banks The fact is
/; Secretary Stanten was frightened out o.
his wits, - the following will show: