The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-04-11

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AMY OF TIE POTOMAC
Soon after the battle OF Bull Run, In July,
1851, Gen. Mcdowell was suspended, and Gen,
Mcclellan was called BY the President to the
command OF the army OF the Potomac. The
campaign IN Western Virginia, the credit oi
which was generally ascribed to Gen. Mcclellan;
the favor with which 1t was understood he wat
regarded by Gen. Scott, then general mischief Of
the army OF the United States; even his compar
alive youth, holding out the promise OF active
aud rigorous measures; all these considerations
tended to infuse hope into the public mind, and
to remove the gloom and dependency which had
followed the disastrous issues of the campaign
just ended. g -
Every energy Of the Government and all the
resources of generous. and patriotic people wers
freely and lavishly placed at the disposal OF GeD.
Mcclellan TO enable him ogsther together an
other army and put it in the most complete ssase
of efficiency, so that offensive operations mignt
be resumed at the earliest practicable moment.
The Army Of the Potomac became the ooJect OF
special care to every department OF the dovern-
ment, and all other military movements ana Or
ganiz stions were made subordinate 70 the one
af nf.lL
organizing there, an army which should over
crush out any hope of success which the Rebels
might cherish. Even when the army OF the Po-
tonac had attained dimensions never before
contemplated in the course OF military operations
upon this continent, and seldom, 1t ever, equaied
in modern times, no portion Of its rapidly in
cfeasing numbers was permitted to be diverted,
even for a brief period, to the accomplishment OF
other enterprises. The gcnerais 10 charge of the
various expeditions from time to time inaugura-
ted, and from which so much benefit was antic-
ipated-Gen. Butler, Gen. Sherman, Gen. Burn
side and others-were compelled to look else>
where for the troops to compose their commands,
to rely upon the continued patriotism Of the PEG
pie, and the zeal of the Executives Of the various
States for the raising of those regiments which
would enable them to depart for the fields of
duty assigned to them. No consideration was
for moment allowed to diminish or impair the
efficiency of the Army Of the Potomac, and the
unexamp!ed spectacle was presented to other ma,
tons, " no we're intently watching the course OF
events in this country, OF the largest army ofthe
present century being raised by voluntary enlist
ments in the brief period OF few months
When Congress assembled IN this city, in the
beginning OF december, 1861, so successful had
been the exertions OF the authorities, andso ZEAL
ousiy nad the people responded 20 their coun-
srys eau, that the consolidated morning reports,
lurnisnea your commune by the Adj9tant Gen-
~ r. 49,, M D.,.:. ~. .ue
Army of the Potomac consisted OF about 1876, 900
men. ~
During the time this large army had been col.
lectins and organizing, nothing Of Importance
had transpired in connection with it, except the
closing Of the navigation of the Potomac by
the Rebels, which your Commute treat OF more
at length in another part OF this report, and the
me aacholy di.tls Of Balls Bluif, which is made
the subject of separate report.
The weather during the Fall season, and for
some weeks after the converting Of Congress.
continued unusually favorable for active mill.
tary operations. As month after month pass.
ed without anything being done by the Army
OF the Potomac, the people became more and
more anxious for the announcement that the
work of preparation had been completed and
active operations would soon be commenced
From the testimony before your Committee
1t appeared that the Army Of the Potomac was
we'll armed and equipped, and had reached
high state OF discipline by the last of Septem.
Der or the first of October. The men were
ready and eager to commence active operations
The generals in command Of the various di-
visions we're opposed to going into winter
quarters, and the most Of them declared they
had no expectation Of doing go. #
~, CORPS ORGANIZATION t"
In reference to ,h. nron., ..,;...:
largo an armv =. ~ stea. Tna: o' 50
order that :. n;oh, -" h.,.". ", Ssaing'on, IN
sffsct;,elv in tbs ssia ,hs. saa. S ~ ~. mos1
illnesses examined nnnn .as as;a. VI .ae
ahlv nnan;mon. Thp a.a a"s pun 10 sema.k-
With the snh;sct searsd snes Ios. 'sIillar
most ;mnor,snce tha S;,;s;o r.s 50 a me u!>
CORPS a. anna. and that ~ - 80, amy inso
instruction Of the t-oon. :" -. e .oi 'ue
necessary tn rendsr snch ~ y.enlen's
effective' Yonr Committee dsaEraa :. mos'
" necessary that thev tsdI. h'.., ,..ei
subject to the attention of the an,hor;,;ss ,a
urged its adoption With MI the aronnss,a Aiu ~
their power. The Presidsnt ana Ss. m.a ~. 10