Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-12-03
SCRAPS or MILITARY HISTORY.
From tas Rochester On. W Union,

IRON Inc fOcheSteT ~, ~ OHtoH'
While Gen Mcclellan forming his army and ar
ranging his plans for the campaign which opened IN ino
spring OF 1862 great deal said about his uesKus,
and macy 10 and out of the service who have since
among bis assaaus and prosecutors were loud IN pro-
claiming that he had whatever OF dehnte heuio'
So successful he in keeping his counsel ana 50
persistent were the misrepresentation respecting him.
that many who had full confidence in his ability ana pur
poses began to The tide turned however, WIN
the of the Burnside expedition to North Carolina
which, 1t will be remembered Gen Burnside, IN CON-
muncaton to Gen Mcclellan attributed to his close 3D.
sevance of the latters orders and instructions in detail
follows:
. beg TO say TO the General Commanding that have
endeaVored u carry cut the oery instructions oen
me by HIM before aoing annapolis, and thus far eoents
hace teen stngntariy c0incdent 10Th his anftcpatons
only hope that may future be- able to carry out III
detail me remaining plans cfthe campaign"
Burnsdes movements made just prior to the ad-
vance If the Army of the Potomac which forced be-
fore Mcclellan was ready. We had had previously Forts
Henry and Doneson and Pea Ridge and simultaneously
AID subsequently Island No. TO- Winchester Heights,
Shiloh Fort Pulaski and the surrender of New Orleans
to Gen. Butler The single quotation made from Gen.
Burnside of itself sufficient 10 warrant very strong
belief that all these by land and formed the
main features # = grand and comprehensive plan con-
ceyed by the then General-n-C Chief
But we now have something conclusive than any
amount of faith in Mcclellan and to call especial attention
to it is main purpose in recurring to that General and
his plans Mason Brothers, Of New York, have just pub
lshed Parton's History of General Butler in New Or
leans and incidentally in that work the fact laid before
the country that the successful capture Ct the great rebel
metropolis, with the mouths Of the Mississippi and their
defences the work Of Gen. Mcclellan. The order
under which Gen. Butler acted tells the whole story, and
it is first given the light by Mr.. Parton follows:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
February 3d. 1862.
Major General B F. BUTLER United States Army.
GENERAL You are assigned TO the command of the
land forces destined to operate with the navy the at
tack upon New Orleans. You will every means to
keep the destination profound secret, from your
staff officers with the exception OF your chief OF staff and
Lieut. Weitzel, of the Engineers
The force your disposal will consist of the frat thr-
teen regiments named in memorandum handed to
in person, the Twentyrst Indiana, Fourth Wisconsin,
and Sixth Michigan Gold and good regiments from Balti
more.) These three regiments will await your orders
Fort Monroe Two companies of the Twenty Indana
we'll drilled ut heavy artillery The cavalry force al
ready route for ship Island will be sufficient for your
purposes. After full consultation with officers we'll ac-
quained with the country in which it is proposed ope
rate have arrived a. the conclusion that three light bat
tries fully equipped and without horses will be all
that will be necessary This will make your force about
l4400 infantry, 2.5 cavalry $50 artillery: total Is 255
| men The commanding General of the Department of
Key West is authorized to loan you temporarily two
emeuts: Fort Pickens can probably give you another,
W ich will bring your forces to nearly IL 900.
The object of your expedition s Of vital import
ance-the capture of New Orleans The route selected
up the Mississippi river, and the first obstacle to be
countered perhaps the only in the resistance offered
by Forts Philip and Jackson 1t is expected that the
navy reduce the works, that case you will after
their capture leave su ent garrison them TO render
them perfectly secue and it is recommended that on the
-s'ags few heavy guns aad some troops be left
up~aiu :. tho forks of the river, to cover a
a. 'Do P', a'c H., The troops and guns
will Of course be removed as soon as tbeiorts IA
Should the navy fail to reduce the works, you will anu
your forces and siege train ard endesvor TO breach The
works, silence their FIRE, and carry them by assault.
The next resistance will De the English Bend,
where there earthen batteres here it may be
necessary for you land your troops to co-ops ale with
the naval attack, although 1t Is than probable that
the navy, unassted accomplish the result If these
works taken the city of New Orleans necessarily
falls.
In that event it will probably be best to occupy Ager
with the Of your troops also the eastern bank of the
river above the city IL be necessary To place some
troops the city 10 preserve order; though if there
pears sufficient Union sentiment IT, control the city, 1t
be beat for purposes of discipline 10 keep your out of
the city.
After obtaining possession of New Orleans it will be
necessary reduce all the works guarding it's approaches
from the east aud particularly to gain the Manchsc Pass
Baton Rouge Berwick Bay and Fort Livingston will next
claim your attention feint Galveston may facilitate
the objects have view.
need not call your attention to the necessity OF gaming
possession Of all the rolling stock you the derent
rawuyH and of obtaining control of the roads themselves
The occupation OF Baton Rouge, by combined naval
and aud force should be accomplished possible
after you have gained New Orleans; then endeavor to
your communication with the northern column If the Mis-
ssspp always bearing IN mind the necessity of occupy
ing Jackson, Mississippi, You safely do
either after before you have effected the junction Allow
nothing divert you from obtaining full possession OF all
the approaches 10 New Orleans.
When the object accomplished TO its fullest extent it
will be- nect ssary to make combined attack Mobile,
in order gain possession Of the barhor and works.
well as 10 control the railway terminus at the city In
regard to this will send detailed instructions
the operations the northern coumn develop themselves
may simply state that the general objects Of the ex
petition are first the reduction Of New Orleans and all
irs approaches then Mobile and all its defences then
Pensacola Galveston, &c. Ii is probable that by the
time New Orleans ia reduced it will be in the power Of
the t. reinforce the land forces sufficiently to
accomplish all these objects In the time you will
please give all the assistance in your power 10 the army
and navy commanders ia your vicinity, losing sight
OF the fact that the great object 10 be achieved is the
ture and firm retention OF New Orleans
Very respectfully your obedent servant,
GEORGE ID. MCCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding, 90. &c.
perusal Of this order ought to satisfy the most skept
cal that Gen Mcclellan, while holding the position of
Generan Chief and before moving against Richmond had
plans and when the full report Of his service reaches
the people have doubt will be found that his plans,
il iuterfered with would have given the country in the
6uhtinp If since yearnpd fpr-a