The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-04-17

eo on the peninsula the force of the enemy
there consisted of Magruder's command, va
rlously estimated at from 1000 to 1900
men, except by General Mcclellan, who es-
tlmates it from $1,000 to 10000. The Hon.
Lemuel J. Bowden, United States Sentor
| from Virginia-then living within the rebel
lines, near Williamsburg that the
rebels did not determine to reinforce Magrs-
der until it was apparent that our forces in
tended to stop before Yorktown and COM
mence regular siege of the place. L. is
now evident, whatever may have been the
opinion of our officers at the time, that our
forces, when they first appeared before York
town, could have pierced the line of works
across the peninsula there without much
difficulty, isOla-ug yorktown, and cutting off
relntorcements, when the place mus, have
fallen in very short time Some of our
generals expected and desired that that should
be done.
A letter from the President to Gen Nc
Clellan, soon after the latters arrival at Fo--
tress Monroe, saws that the Generals esti-
mate of his force is $4,000 less than that
taken from his own returns by the Secretary
of War. He urges to instant action, addi-g:
And. once more, let me tell you il is in
dispens to yoC that YOU strike blow /
am powerless to help this. You will do me
the justice TO remember l always wished not
going down the bay in search of a field, in
stead OF fighting at or near Manassas, as on
ly shifting and net surmounting difficulty;
that We should find the same enemy and the
same or equal intrenchments at either place.
The country will not fail to note-is noting
now-that the present hesitation to move up
on an intrenched position is but the story of
Manassas repeated"
But Gen Mcclellan would not move. but
called repeatedly for reinforcements and for
means of transportation. The latter were
sent TO him. A month was thus spent be-
fore Yorktown, demoralizing the army, in
the opinion of able officers, more than would
have been done by an unsuccessful assault.
The returns in the Adjutan. Generals Of
tice. signed by General Mcclellan, show his
forces on the peninsula, on the 30th of April,
1862, o have been 2,392 men fit for duty.
Yorktown was evacuated on the night of
the Sd of Nav.
THE BATTLE or WILLIAMSBURG.
The circumstances attending the battle of
Williamsburg are narrated, and the sequel i.
stated as follows:
The next day the pursuit was continued
for short distance 10y Gen Stonenan and
the cavalry, with small body of infantry.
Several of the generals testify that, had the
enemy been promptly followed up after the
battle of Williamsburg, they could have
been followed right into RichmonG-one of
them saws without firing gun. Gen Nc
Clellan SAYS that the roads were SO bad in con-
! sequence of the rains, that it was imprsc
hcable to make vigorous pursuit.
The battle of Williamsburg appears TO
have been fought under many and serious
disadvantages. Nothing was known of the
MATURE of the country or the defensive works
of The enemy until our troops arrived before
them; there Was no controlling mind in
charge of the movements; there was uneer-
tan,y in regard TO whp was in command;
each general fought as he considered best;
and, by the time the general commanding ap-
peared on the field. the principal part of the
fighting was oreI."
SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS.
General Mcclellan continued calling for
re:nfarcenents, although Franklin's division
had been Sent 10 him. Finally Gen Nc
Dowell was ordered to leave Fredericksburg
m tie 22J5ch &C May, u join Gen Mcclellan.
Just al that TIM, however, Jacason commenc-
ed his expedition down the Shenandoah val-
lev, and Gen MeDovel, together with Gen
Fremont from Western Virginia, was sent to
the asSis;a..cs of Gen Banks and to int.r-
cept Jackson in bis retreat. Upon being in
formed of tiis. Gen Mcclellan replied tina.
the movement Of Jackson was probably In
. tended 10 prevent reiafarcements being sent
to him. The President repiiel, gieing h...n
full information as 10 the condition of aff,,Fs
in the valley. and closed by saving:
"lt MeDoW-lrs force was now beyond our
reach We should be utterly helpless. Appre-
tensions OF something like this, and no un-
willingness TO sustain You, has always been
my reason for withholding Med Dwellis force
from Won. Please understand this, and do
the best YOU can with the forces you now
have"
The battle Of Seven Pines is next dselt
upon. and Gen C.sey's division is relieved of
the csnsure at first thrown upon it. Shortly
after the battle Gen Hsintzelm.n ordered
| Gen Hooker 10 make a recon nnoisssnce in
force, which he did, advancing TO within four
miles of Richmond, meeting with no resis-
tance excep: little from the enemy's pickets.
/ Cpon being informed by Gen Heintzelman
OF what he had done, Ger Mcclellan order
ed the troops TO oe recalled and occupy the
position that had been held by Casey's diyis-
ion. The officers engaged in that battle,
who have been examined, testify that the
army could have pushed righ: on to the city
Of Richmond with little resistance that the
enemy were very much broken and demoral-
lied, throwing away arms, clothing, &c, that
might impede their fight.
On the 9th of June NcCalIis division of
DcDowell's corps was ordered TO Join Gen
Mcclellan, and preparations were made to
send forward Gen Mcdowell with the rest of
his CORPS But Gen Mcclellan wanted, not
sR,. NF