The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-15
Report Of the COMMITTEES ON
the Conduct of the war.

OF the committee on the Conduct of the
War occupies sixty-four closely printed
pages. The principal part of thetestimony
relates to the Army of the Potomac The
report shows that in December, 1861, ex-
elusive Of the command of Gen. Dix at
Baltimore, the Potomac army numbered
$4,000 men, we'll armed, disciplined and
equipped.
The strength of the enemy was variously
estimated at from 20, 600 to 210, 900 at that
time, and their works exceedingly form
liable, but subsequent events proved their
force was less than 20, 900 and the strength
of their Notifications greatly overestima-
ted. At the same time it was considered
unadvisable to attack the enemy in front;
also, it would be necessary to leave $4,000
to $4,000 in front Of Washington for its
defense, thereby allowing about 100000
men for service elsewhere. The command
er AYERS that adequate provision was never
made to properly man the Notifications
in front of Washington.
In relation to the blockade of the Poto-
mac, the committee states it was proposed
to take possession Of Matthias Point IN
June. 1861, and again in August but moth
ing was done. In October plan was
adopted to take it. The Potomac Aotilla
was to act conjoint'y with a detachment of
troops, but the troops were not sent as
agreed, and the plan was not tried.
Soon after, the Potomac fotilla left on
the Port Royal expedition, when the river
was almost immediately closed by rebel
batteries until the rebels voluntarily left.
On the 10Th of January, 1862, the Presi-
dent, an COMMANDMENT Chief, issued or
ders for a general movement of all the
| armies Of the United States, one of the
results of which was the capture of Forts
Heary and Donelson, ON the 3lst OF JAN
uary.
| The President ordered that all the dis
posable force ofthe. Aarmy OF the Potomac,
after providing for the safety OF Washing
ton, seize point on the railroad south
west of Manassas, aud that the expedition
move before the I'D OF February. This
plan was objected to as dividing our army
i by too great Il distance to enable the tMo
portions to support each other.
The Commanding General recommended
instead, "a movement by way OF, the Rap
pahannock or Fortress Monroe. To this
1 proposition the President, propounded
certain questions as to its ieasibnlty and
advantages, and finally a movement by way
of Annapolis and tue Rappahannock Was
agreed upon, but the rebers evacuated their
! position at Manassas, retiring to the Rap
pahannock, thus rendering the plan futile
On the 18th of March, council OF Gen
erals decided on a campaign by way OF the
York and James rivers, which the Presi-
dent sanctioned, directing that enouhe
force be left to hold Manass;is and leave
! Washington secure.
Mcdowell was assigned the advance, but
transportation not being adequate, bis
division was detained till the last, and sub
Isequently retained for the defense OF Wash
ingtou. Previous to leaving, the Com
nanding General addressed communica
ton to the Adjutant General, showing thai
he LETT 54, 400 men at different points-at
/ Warrenton. Manassas, Shenandoah on the
lower Potomac, with 5000 for the garri
sons in front of Washington.
The next day Cen. Wadsworth stated
that his force for the defense OF Washing
ton was inadequate, and the subject Wa,
referred t5 Gen Hitchcock, who reported
the same evening, which concludes with
the opinion that the requirements OF the
President, that enoughIoree be left to Sc
eur the s fey OF Washington, had no
been fully complied with.
The President the next day ordered
:: McDowell's corps to remain.
i This brings the committees report tt
1.-The Peninsula campaign. After landing
pear Fortress Monroe, the army move,
toward Yorktown on the 4th OF April
appearing before the rebel works on th,
9th.
]. The committee says: Testimony prove
that the rebels had from 1000 to l2,00I
men at Yorktown then, and it is now evi
i dent our forces could then have pierce,
the rebel lines, cutting off reinforcelnents
but siege was determined on, contrar,
to the wishes Of the President.
The committee rehearse the. facts rela
4 tive to- the evacuation of Yorktown and
the battle of Williamsburg, and says on
OF the Generals testified that, alter the lat
ter battle, if the enemy had been followed
our forces could have reached Richmont
almost without firing gun, but the Gen
.eral commanding states that bad road
made the pursuit impractlcable.
After the battle OF williamsburg, it wa
decided to send Mcdowell into Fredcricks
burg to reinforce the Army OF the Poto
mac, but the operations OF jackson in th'
Shenandoah prevented his being sent
The COMMITTEES gives details Of the battl.
of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, in which i
is stated that Hooker made reeennois
sance to within four miles of Richmond
certain officers testifying that the arm,
then could have marched right into Rich
mond
}, The committee then continues relatiy,
to the seven days battles, giving numbe
! of kilograms which, passed between
:. Mcclellan and the President, the forme
telegraphing on the night of the 9th Q
June, that the Government has not sustain
ed his army.
{. On the night of the 18th Of July, Gen
erals Halleck and Burnside visited Har
; rison's landing soon after which it wa'
decided to withdraw the army from there
which was done to reinforce Pope.
The committee deyoteS some six page