Daily national Republican., 1863-02-25
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARlrI,


Washington, Oct. 4, 1856.
Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary Of Var;
SIR You are, believe, aware that hailed
the arrival here Of Major General Mcclellan as
an event Of happy consequence TO the country
and the army. Indeed, II did not call for
him, heartily approved OF the suggestion, and
gave him the most cordial reception and sup
port.
He, however, had hardly entered upon his
duties, when, encouraged to communicate d.
rectly with the President and certain members
Of the Cabinet, ho in a few days forgot that he
had any intermediate commander, and has now
long pTided himself In treating me with uni
form neglect, running into disobedieuce Of or
ders.
or the smaller matters, nsglsets, though In
themselves grave military offences, need not
speak, In the fRce Of the following .
r To suppress an lrregularity, pore cons ~
GUS in Major General Mcclellan than A,y
other officer, published the following;
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
WAsHIHGToN, Sept. 10, 1851.
General Orders No. H. .
There are Irregularities in the correspondent
of the Army which need prompt correction. It
Is highly important that Junior officers on duty
be not permitted 10 correspond with the GEN
eral-in-Ohief, or other commander, on current
official business, except through intermediate
commanders; and the same rule applies to
with him through the Secretary Of War, unless
1t be by the special invitation or request Of the
President. :
By command of Lieutenant General Scott.
Z. D. TOWNSEND, ..
d Assistant Adjutant General.
With this order fresh in his memory, Major
General Mcclellan addresses two Important
communications TO the Secretary Of War, on
respectively the 10Th and Goth of the same
month, over my head, aud how many since to
the Secretary, and even to the President direct,
have not inquired, but many have no doubt;
besides daily oral communications with the
same high funCtionaries, all without my knowl-
edge. un
Second. To correct another class of gross
nogleCts, l, on the same day, caused to be ad-
dressed to Major General Mcclellan the follow
ing order:
HEADQUARTBRs or THE Army,
Washington, Sept. 10, 1861.
To MAJ. GEN. MCCLELLAN, United States
Army, Commanding the Department OF the
Potomac:
The Commanding General of the Army of the
Potomac will cause the positions, state, and
number of the troops under him, to be reported
at once TO general headquarters, by divisions,
brigades, and Independent regiments or detaCh
ments; which general report will be followed
| by reports Of new troops as they arrive, with
the disposition made OF them, together with all
the material changes which may take place In
said army.
By command Of
Lieut.. Gen. SCoTT,
4. d. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adj. Gen.
| Eighteen days have now elapsed, and not the
slightest respect has been shown TO either o
those orders by Major General Mcclellan
Perhaps he will say, In respect TO the latter
at has been difficult for him TO procure exac
returns Of divisions, brigades, &C." No doubt
But why not have given me proximate returns
such as he so eagerly furnished the Presiden
and certain SecretarleBi
Has, then, a senior no corrective power owe
q junior in case Of such persistent neglect ant
disobedencel The remedy Of arrest and tria
before court-martal would probably BooI
cure the evil. But 1t has been feared that
conflict OF authority near the head Of the army
would be highly encouraging 10 the enemies
and depressing to the friends OF the Union.
Hence my long foThearanCe and continuing
(though but nominally) on duty. shall try
to hold out till the arrival of Major Genera
HalleCk, when, as his presence will give me in
creased confidence In the safety of the Union
and being, as am, unable to ride In the saddle
or to walk, by reason of dropsy In my feet AM
legs, and paralysis In the small Of the back,
shall defntively retire from the army.
have the honor TO remain, with high res
pect, your most obedient servant,
wHTIELD sooTT.