Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-12-23
From the Buffalo Courier.
THE END OF ANOTHER VIRGINIA
CAMPAIGN MCCLELLAN.

miles Of the rebel citadel, while 100000 |
men-nearly the whole strength Of the
Confederacy were gathered in front to re-
sist its advance. The Peninsula was aban-
doned, and with it the opportunity o! the
army for usefulness and success. It's ca
reer since then has been long struggle
with great mistake 1t has marched,
countormarched, advanced retreated,
fought, dug, labored endured and bled,
simply 10 demonstrate that themind which
directed its movements was possessed by
a huge blunder. Ten times over that
| demonstration has been made, but the
Dlunder has added stubborness to stupidi-
ty, and the army of the Potomac has paid
the penalty. In July, 1862, Mcclellan
on the James river gave occupation to
almost the entire force of the rebellion.
Since that time, with the army moved to
the front Of Washington, third of the re-
bel force has sutiiced to keep it at bay,
and twice hos been strong enough TO drive
it NORTH OF the Potomac. This result was
clearly ioreseen 10y the best military men
in the country, and we ask attention now
to the impressive words in which Gen.
Mcclellan implored Haleck to rescind
his fatal order, Withdrawing the army
from the James.
The following is McClellan's letter -
BERELY, Va, Aug. Al II NJ.
Maj. Gen. Haleck, Commander in Chief !;
Your telegram Of last evening is receiv-
ed. must confess that it has caused me
the greatest pain ever experienced, fer
am convinced that the order to wihdrdtO
this army 10 Aquia Creek ,siH prove disastrous
in the ertrsme 10 our cause. IJear Il wiH be u
= fatal Jloo. Several days are necessary to
complete the preparations for so impor-
tant movement as this, and while they
= are in progress. beg that careful consid-
Grafton may be given to my statement.
This army is now in excellent discipline
and condition. We hold debouche on
both banks of the James River, so that we
are free to act in any direction, and, with
the assistance Of the gunboats, consider
=, our communication as secure.
We are twenty-five miles from Rich
mond, and are not likely to meet the en-
emy in force sufficient to fight a battle
until we have reached fifteen to eighteen
miles, which brings us practically ~ahn Ten
miles Of Richmond. Our largest line Of land
transportation would be from this point
- twenty-five miles, but with the aid of the
> gunboats we can supply the army by wa
ter, during its advance, certainly to with
. in twelve miles of Richmond. At Aquis
: Creek we would be seventy-five miles from
= Richmond, with land transportation al
the way. From here to Fortress Monroe
" is a march Of seventy miles, for ! regard
i it as impracticable 10 withdraw this army
= and its material, except by land. The re
suit of the movement would thus be tC
:, march l4j miles TO reach a point now 2
miles distant, and 10 deprive ourselves Ell
tirely Of the powerful aid Of the gunboat
:, and water transportation. Add to th'
certain decentralization Of this army, wkicl
- would ensue, the terrible depressing eftec
' uron the people Of the North, and The
strong probability that il would influence
A foreign powers to recognize our adversar
n les and these appear to me sufficient rea
sons to make it my imperative duty tC
II urge, on the strongest terms afforded b!
y our language, that this order be rescinded
;, and that so far from recalling this army, i
- may be promptly reinforced, TO enable i
l. 10 resume the offensive.
It 1t may DC said that there are no rein
s. forcements available. point to Genera
o. Burnside's forces to those Of Gen. Pope
,, not necessary to maintain strict defens
Ig in front of Washington and Harpers's Fer
r ry to those portions of the Army of Tn
- - We.t not required for a strict defens
= there. Here directly in front Of this army,
is the heart Of the Rebellion. Hi8 here that all on
Y, resources should be collected 10 strike the Jlo
which ,oiH determine tie fate Of The nation, 4
D. points ofSeeondary importance elsewhere showi
r be abandoned, and every availaJ6 man brougj
% here, and the military strength cfhe Rebeilic
8 is crushed il matters not .ohat partial rever
le es we may meet vih etcohert here is tie tr,
W defense Of Washington il is here on he Janj
re re ofthe James River that tks fate ofhe Cnit
y should be decided
Clear in my conviction of right, stron
le in the consciousness that have ever beer
u and still am sctuated solely by love OF N
- country. knowing that no ambitious
to selfish motives have influenced me froi
the commencement Of this war, ! do no'
- what ! never did in my life before,
~ eutreat that this order may be resoinde
II my counsel does not prevail, will wit