Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-04-15
BIZ SAMUEL j. ROW
cLEAkFiELD. pa. APRIL IS, 1859.
rHE CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

w ade was chairman has completed its report
on the operations OF the Army of the Poto-
mac, from its organization under Gen. Nc
Clellan until the time of Gen Burnsde's dis
missal after the battle OF Fredericksburg.
The committee, though composed of men diff
fering widely in their political vews-and per-
sonal sympathies, are unanimous in the con-
clusions at which they have arrived.
No man can read the report of this COM
mitfee, though so guarded and carefully wor.
ded, and evincing only the anxiety of the
members to come at the simple truth, without
being forced TO the conclusion that Gen. Geo
B. Mcclellan was either totally incompetent
10 command the magnificent Army at the head
of which he had been placed, or that he did
not desire its success. His repeated disobe-
dience Of the most positive orders-his utter
inability to give any good reasons for his
course-his unparalleled laches, never moving
until he was absolutely compelled to do some
thing-his disgraceful blunders on the PENN
sula and at ARtietam-his absence from the
field during nearly every engagement-all
force the reader irresstsbly TO one or both of
the above conclusions. For our own part, we
do not wish TO be understood as dstrusting
his integrity to the Government, but as be-
Heving that be was uIfitted for the response
Bile position which he too long occupied for
the good OF fhe country.
In July, 1861, Gea. Mcclellan was appoint
ed commander of the Army OF the Potomac.
For nearly six months its time was consumed
10 perfecting its organization and equipment
and being we'll armed and d disciplined if be-
came eager for active operations. The con-
solidated morning reports. furnished the Com
mittee by the Adjutsnt General, showed that,
exclusive of tho command OF Gen. Dix at Bal
timore, The Army of the Potomac consisted
Of about lo5 900 men. The.defense of Wash
ington. according to the estimates, did not
require more than from so 900 to 50, 600 mer,
leaving at least iO0. 900 for aggressive opera
tions. The Rebels, at this time, had not over
10000 men ut Manassas. and tie strengt h of
their Notifications were greatly oyerestimated.
Nothing, however, was attempted to be done
by Gen, Mcclellan. during the winter.
Ia the meantime the Rebels blockaded the
Potomac. The Navy was eager to wipe out
this disgrace. asking the co operation of only
1000 men TO hold Maththiis Point. After
repeated So ici.ations, Gen. Mcclellan prom
ised to furnish these troops, and Capt. Craven,
commanding Tho Potomac fotilla was on hand,
vita boats, a, the time agreed upon. But no
troops camr-Gen. Mcclellan assigned as a
reason for not sending them that his engineers
were Of tse opinion that the troops could not
be landed at the place named. Assistant Sec
retary Of War Fox, replying that the land
ing ofthe troops was the business of the Navy
Department, the requisite number were prom
gain ready with his fotilla, and again no
troops came, the reason given this time being
that it IN ight bring on general engagement!
Capt. Craven. justly incensed with such shilly-
shsllying, asked to be sent TO sea, saying that
by remaining he was only damaging his own
reputation, as the blame for permitting the
Potomac to remain blockaded would be i'm
puted to him. And so the blockade contin-
ued until the. Rebels voluntarily evacuated
their batteries in the month of March.
On the 10Th of January, 1862, the President,
as Commander In Chief Of the Army and Ma
Wy. ordered general movement of all the ar
mics of the United States, which resulted in
the capture OF Fort Henry, Fort Donelson &c.,
which sent thrill of hope through every 10y
nj mans heart. On the 3lst day of the same
month the President ordered Gen. Mcclellan
10 move, on or before the 22d February. and
occupy, with his Army, point on the rail
road south-westward of Manassas Junction.
Mcclellan objected proposing to 60 by way of
the Rappahannock, and leave the Potomac
blockade unbroken. The President replied
pointedly and conclusiyely !; whereupon Nc
Clellan called council of war, composed of
twelve Generals, who dec ided by a vote of 8 Sto4,
In favor of the Rappshsnnock route, and the
President Yielded but before anything was
done, the Rebels evacuated Manassas, and
fbsn Gen. Mcclellan ordered general move.
ment of bis army in the direction of the po-
sition lately occupied by the enemy. small
force going as far as Manassas and beyond the
line OF the Rappahannock. He again chang
cd his purpose, and, after resuming it, a Sec
ond time abandoned his Rappahannock plan.
On the 18th of March, Gen. Mcclellan con-
vsued, at Fairfax Court House, another coun-
Icil OF war, composed OF four generals, and
proposed to them the Peninsula Increment, which
was determined upon and to which the Pres
ident sssented, in the following directions as
TO Its execution
"First: Leave such force at Manassas juno
tion shall lake it entirely certain that the
enemy shall not repossess himself of that po-
sition and line Of communication.
ssSecond: Leave Washington secure.
Third; AoFs the remsinder Of the force