The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-10
The Report of the War Committee.
CONTINUED FROM THURSDAYS PAPER.


the Army of tie Potomac. About this time Nc
Clelan tslegraphed the Secretary of War that he
did not want the cooperation of Mcdowell if that
officer was to retain an independent command, as
he preferred to fight the battle without his troops,
unless be could fully control them. On the 18th
of June, nearly three weeks after the battle OF
Fair Oaks, and sixteen days after be had said that
his lef: was within four miles of Richmond and
that he only waited for the river to fal! to make
general attack, Mcclellan informs the War De-
partment that lie learns that 10000 troops had
left his front to reinforce Jackson. The Presi-
dent very naturally replied to this, the same day,
that 1t vas good as reinforcement of an
equal force to him. Mcclellan answers, however,
that in his judgment it only "a" illustrates their 1.-THE
rebel strength and confidence" On the goth Of
June, McClellan's report shows that his army
numbered l56,S38, with l1j, l02, present for du-
ty. On the Oath and 25th of June, he informs
the War Department that he is apprehensiye of
an attack on his rs bit and rear from Jackson that
he is informed that the enemy's force numbers
100000, and he talks Of doing the best he can,
and leaving the responsibility where it belongs, on
those who have refused to send him reinforce
ments. On the afternoon Of the Goth of June,
eight days after he had been informed of the reb.
el rentorcements sent to jackson, and twenty
four days after he had reported his left within four
miles OF Richmond, the seven days battle COM
meGced, by the attack on Mechancsvil!e. The
rebels were repulsed, bat our troops were ordered
to fall back that night. The next day the terrible
battle of Gaines Mill was fought,--on our side
with from q 900 to $4,000 troops, against two
or three times that number Of the enemy.-iD
when we lost about 5000 men. The rest Of the
army did no fighting that day, except that Gen.
Smiths position was warmly attacked but he a.
once repulsed the enemy with loss, Immediately
after this battle the grand strategic change Of
ba'e,' or, in plain English, the hurried retreat
Of the army to James river, began.
Although Mcclellan had 10000 or So 900 men
that did not participate in the battle of Gaines
Mill, but left 1000 to resist the 10000 or 3d.
900 of the enemy, he informs the President i'm
medately after this battle that he, (McCellan) is
mot responsible for the result, and arraigns the
Government for not sustaining the army. On
the 29th there was no serious fighting. An off,
Ger testified that he sew that day, at Gen. McClel-
Ian's headquarters, printed order directing the
distraction of baggage, tents, camps, &c. He
represented that the issuing OF such an order
would demoralize the army, and It was not is
sued.
Z During the retreat to James river the battles
were fought, and the troops handled, by Corps
Commanders Gen. Mcclellan would place the
troops in the morning, and then leave the field to
seek position for the next day, giving no orders
till the close of the day, when he would Or
der them again to fall back to the new position
selected for them. Every attack of the enemy
during this retreat was signally repulsed. culmi-
mating in the battle of Malvern Hill. OF this bat
lie, Mcclellan says in his report-pubshed since
the report of t. Q Committee, but to which they
no doubt had access:-
When the battle commenced in the afternoon
7 sac that in the faces and bearing Of he men
schich satisfied me that ace ioere sure OF victory
The attack was made on our left and LETT centre,
and the brunt OF il was borne by Porers corps,
including Hunts reserve artillery and Tyler's
heavy guns, and COUGHS division reinforced by
the 6rigades of Sickles and Meagher 1t was des-
perate, brave and determined but SO desruc- !
tive was the fire of our numerous artillery, so he
roic the conduct of our infantry and so admirable
the dispositions Of Porter, that no troops could
have carried the position. Late in the evening
the enemy fell back, thoroughly beaten, with
arsati6l slauphter So completely was he crushed