The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-03-06
Gen. ScOtl's LetteT.-An Inside View of
the Mcclellan Campaign.
From Congressional Proceedines.l

Gen. Scotl's Letter.-An Inside View O
the Mcclellan Campaign.
From Congressional Proceedingsl
( Mr. Stevens of Pa, said that one great wan
of success was suffering Breckinridge demo
Gratis to head our armies. Men without {;
heart or disposition to crush the rebellion
When Gen Mcclellan was at Yorktown, he
was promptly ordered to attack the enem,
and Break his lines. He never obeyed the
order. When ordered to send troops TO aid
Gen Pope. he stood idle eleven davs befor.
he started. and then al a snail's pace he sent
troops under pet generals. who never reached
the battle ground. Gen Porter was one O:
them, and was Justly dismissed from The army
for causing defeat. Gen Mcclellan reinsta-
ted. was ordered to pursue the enemy inva-
ding Maryland. He had one hundred and
twenty thousand troops, and moved at the
rapid pace of six miles dav, till he got up
with them. Antietam was a quasi victory.
and while in sight OF the rebel army. he suf-
fsred them TO cross into Virginia. taking the
last man.wagon and ambulance with him: and
shortly after when ordered by the command
er-in-chief to pursue the enemy, he hesitated
for three weeks, then he took the South
Mountain path. There were four distinct in
stances of disobedience of orders. Mr. Ste
vens desired 10 read a letter from Gen Scott
to Simon Cameron.
Mr. Mallory Of ky., inquired where Mr. Ste
vens procured the letter.
Mr Stevens replied that il was a copy from
letter on file at the war department. 1t was
read as follows:
HEADQUARTERS of the Army, Washington,
Oct. I. lS6l.-IIon s. Cameron. Secretary of
War. Sir: You are. believe. aware that
hailed the arrival here of Maj Gen Mcclellan
as an event of happy consequence TO the coun-
try and the army. Indeed, if did not call
FOR hin, heartily approved of the sugges-
ton and gave him the most cordial reception
and support. He however had hardly enter
Ell upon his new duties, when encouraged to
communicate directly with the President and
certain members of the Cabinet, he in a few
days forgot that he had any intermediate COM
mander. and has now long prided himself
upon treating me with uniform neglect. run
ming into disobedience of orders. Of the
smaller matters. neglects. though in them
selves grave military offences, need not
speak in the face Of the following. To sup
press an irregularity more conspicuous in Maj
Gen Mcclellan than in any other officer, i
published the following:
General Order. No. L.. Headquarters of
the Army. ashington, Sept. 10, lS6l.-There
are irregularities in the correspondence of
the army which need prompt correction. 1t
: hishlyimportant that junior officers on duty
he not permitted 20 correspond with the gen
eral-In-c!liet, or other commander. on current
Official business. except through intermediate
commanders, and the same rule applies TO
correspondence with the President direct. or
with him through the Secretary of War. un-
Jess /, be by the special invitation or re-
quest of the President. BY command of
Lieut. Gen Scott
L. ID. TOWNSEND, Asst Adj. Gen.
With th;5 order fresh iu his .iIvsIOr,, Mai
Gen Mcclellan addressed two Important CON.
munica,ion> 10 the Secretary of War. on, re-
Spectively, the 18th and Goth of the same
month, over my head, and how many since TO
the Secretary and even to the President d.
rect, have not inquired, hut many have no
doubt, besides daily oral communications with
the same high functicnaries. all without nv
knosledge. 10 correct another class of grave
neslects, the same day caused to DE ad-
dressed to Gen Mcclellan the following or
der:
HEADQUARTERS of the Army, Washington.
Sept. 10, lS6l.-ro Mai Gen Mcclellan. L.
). \. comm anding department of The Potu-
mac: The commanding general of the army
OF the Potomac will cause the position. safe
and number of troops under him to ne re-
ported at once to general headquarters, hv di-
visions. brigades an! independent regiments.
or detachments, which report viii he followed
ny reports Of new troops as they arrive. with
the dispositions made of them, together with
ali the material changes which nav take
place IN the same army. BY command Of
Lieut. Gen Scott.
Eighteen days have now elapsed. and 10,
the slightest respect Las been shown to either
of these orders bv Maj Gen Mcclellan. Per
haps he will say in respect TO the matter. If
has been difficult for him to procure exact
returns of divisions. brig AIDES. &c., No doubt.
but why not have furnished me with proxi-
mate returns such as he so eagerly furnished
the President and certain Secretaries. Has
then senior oIhcer no corrective power over
a junior officer. in case of such persistent neg
lect and disobe Hence? The remedy bv ar
rest and trial before a court martial. would
probably soon end the evil, but il has been
feared coafiict of authority near the head
of the army, would be highly encouraging to
the enemies and depressing to the friends of
the Union. Hence my long forbearance, and
continuing. though but nominally, in dutr.
| shall try to hold out till the arrival of Mai
Gen Halleck. when as his presence will give
me increased confidence in the safety of the
Union, and being as am unable to ride in
the saddle or walk by reason of dropsy in my
feet and legs. and paralysis in the small of
my back. | shall defnitively retire from the
army. have the honor to remain. with high
respect. your obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCuTT.
4 true copy.