Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-04-22
VOL. Ono. 81,

tnat ne (tIen. McCioifan) IS nor respooSfoIe fof
the result but he feels that the Government
has not stained bis army. T
To this fhe President. replies, on the 2Stb:
s.if you have had drawn battle. or re.
pulse, IL is the price NE pay for the enemy
mt being in Washington. We protected
Washington and the enemy concentrated on
you. Had we stripped Washington hs would
have been npon us before tbe troops sent
could have gotto ou-
ssSave your army at all events. Will send
re-enforcenieufsa as fast as we can. Of course
they cannot reach You to day, tot morrow, or
next day Pa et rsk ss's
The 2SIh OF June passed without snv seri.
GUS fighting. Col b. s.. Alexander tsstiHes
that on the sfternoon OF that day he was sent
tor by Gen. Mcclellan, AMI went TO bis head
quarters, at Sayage's Station. arriving theirs
about dark. He received Instructions to pro-
coed with an escort TO the James River, send
back q sufficient nrmb r of men to act as
guides for the different columns of the army.
communicates with the gunboate, and order
supplies to be brought up the river; to exam,
inc both shores Of the James TO the mouth Of
the Chickshominy. and ascertain the landing
places proceed up the Chickaho,niDy to the
head Of navigation and ascertain the places
where the army could cross, iu case Of pecesi-
", and then return 10 Headquarters and report.
He lett Ssvage's station that night aud reach
ed the James river the next afternoon. BY the
my had reached the James River al N alvern.
H'cLsLLAs PROPOSES TO DESTROY HIS BAeeAaK.5r
While at headquarters receiving his instruc-
tions, he was shown, as he testified, a printed
order, not then issued, directing the destfuc-
tion of the baggage OF officers and men, and'
the tents, camps, equipsge, and things of that
kind; appealing TO the army TO subni il to this
privation, as it would be uny temporary
ssonly for few days" He remonsfrafed with
Gen McGlailaO -.
that IL would have q bad effect, would dsmorsf.
iZe the army, as il would be telling them
more plainly than they could be told in any
other way that they were defeated and run.
ming for their lives. The order was not la
ued, and Gen. Mcclellan t-stihs. that he has
no recollection Of any such order.
THE RETREAT TO JAMES RIVER.
The retreat TO James River having been de-
cded upon, the army took up its march, being
attacked by the enemy in the day time, and
however successfui in repeitng those sttacka,
evacusting their positions during the night
The actions of Savage's Station, Giebdaio and
Malvern were fought during the movement Of
The army 10 the Janes, the enems being re-
pulsed in each days fighting. and our army
falling back, under orders, during the night.
II would appear, from all the Information
your Committee can obtain, that the battles
tcere fought, the troops handled, ne,r disposi-
ttons made and old ones changed entirely by the
corps commanders, ,lrifiouf directions from the
Commanding General. He ,couid place the
troops in the morning. then leare the field and
seek the position for the merit day, riring no d.
rections ~ntti The close Of fhe Days fighting,
,ohsn the troops ,roHid be oriered 10 fall back dr.
ring the night 10 the Posifioa selected by hi
In that manner the arny reached TIE James rireV.
ssL BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL
The battle of Malvern Hui. of the first OF jn-
ly, was the most fercely contested of any APP
on the Peninsula. The .roop. we're placed
in the morning, under the direction of Gen.
Mcclellan irho then left the MID, returnias 10,
II again Ia The afternoon the first sctiou Oh
the day commenced about 10 s,clock in the
forenoon. bnt did not continue long Tbs
principal action, whfn the enemY attacked
most vigorously and persistentiv, commencsd
lat in the afternoon and continued tiil afier
dark, the enemy being repuised and bette n al
every peint. Many ofthe officers examined
By your COMMITTEES OF the opi mon, thss,
the enemy were so severely punished on that,
day that they could OF been followed into
Richmond had our army followed them up
sss5 a si 81
II is true that our army had been severeiy
tried during the preceding week, fighting as
they did, nearly every dav, and refreshing
every night. The corps commanders and the
troops nnder them fought mos, brayeiy-no
troops better. However disheartened they
garded precipitste retreat during the
night. they still fonght with the most obssi.s
nate bravery when attacked in the, day time
by an exultant and successful enemy.
x'cLrLLAs STILL RETREATS.
The commanding general, however, deter.
mined to fall back from Malvern to Harrison's
Bar, notwithstanding the victory won there
by our army. He seems tn have regarded hiso
army AS entirely uaftted to meet the enemy
Ior on the day of the battle ut Malvern, evi.
1ently before that battle took place. he writes
10 the Adjn.ant General of the army FROM
Haxail's plantation. f
AND STILL wASrsTRooPs. sssf = .Et1
.sMy men are completely exhausted. anal.
Tread the resuii if We are attacked to-day by
fresh troops. If possible l shall retire to-
night to Harrison's Bar, where the guuboatsi
ian render more aid in covering our position
Permit me to urge that not an hour should be-
lost in sending me fresh troops. More gun
BOATS are much needed"
On the I'd of July the President telegram,
% Gen. Mcclellan: $ fasrIfsfS
"Your dispatch Of yesterday morning a.,
iuces me to hope your army ie having some
est. In this hope allow me to reason with
ron for moment. When you ask for SO. 600
nen to be promptly sent you, .you' must surs.o
' labor under some gross mistake Of fact,s
Recently you sent papers showing your dis.
'oSdf VI ioiCSS uiAut iaSt SpTiHS sOr tue 0e.
ense Of W ashington. and advising return 10
hat plan. End included in and assnt W asb.i
ngton $1,000 men. Now please. be assured.
hat have not men enough to fill that very
plan by Is .O00 All Of General Frernont's 1h4
he valley all OF General Banks's. aiE6f Gen1o
dcDowell's not with you; and all in W ash.
ngton, taken together do not exceed, il they
each, GO. 900, with General Wool and Gen.
Dix added TO those mentioned have' nor
outside of yGur army 70 600 men 6as4 lot sshs
Mountains. Thus the idea of SEND 'ng you 5a,-
100 men, or any other considerable force.