The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1863-12-11

of the gunboats, consider our communica-
tiOns as secure

of the gunboats, consider our communica-
tiOns as secure.
We are twenty-five miles from Richmond.
and are not likely to meet the enemy in force
sufficient to fight battle until we have reached
fifteen to eighteen miles, which brings us prac-
tically within ten miles of Richmond Our
longest line of land transportation would be
from this point twenty-five miles, but with the
aid of the gunboats we can supply the army
by water, during its advance, certainly to
within twelve miles of Richmond. At Aqua
Creek we would be seventy-five miles from
Richmond, with land transportation all the
way. From here to Fortress Monroe is a
march of about seventy miles, for regard it
as impracticable to withdraw this army and its
material. except by land. The result of the
movement would thus be to march one hum
dred and forty five miles to reach point now
only twenty five miles distant, and to deprive
ourselves entirely of the powerful aids of the
gunboats and water transportation. Add to
this the certain generalization of this army.
which would ensue: the terrible depressing ef-
feet upon the people of the North and the
strong probability that it would influence for
eign powers to recognize our adversares and
these appear to me sufficient reasons to make
1t my imperative duty to urge in the strongest
terms afforded by our language, that this order
may be rescinded, and that. far from recalling
this army it may be promptly reinforced to
enable ii 10 resume the offensive
Ii may be said that there are no reinforce
nlents available. point to General Burnside's
force, to that of General Pope not necessary
To main ain strict defence in front of Wash
ington and Harpers Ferry; to those portions
OF the Army Of the West not required for Il
strict defence there. Here. directly in front of
this army, Is. the heart Of the rebellion. It is
here that all our resources should be collected
10 strike the blow which will determine the
fate Of this nation. All points Of secon 'ary
Jt,ly, ,I-.
and every available man brought here A de-
cided victory here. aud the military strcng il OF
the rebellion Is crushed 1t matters not what
partial reNeraca we may meet with clScwnor
here is the true defence of Washington: it is
here. on the bank Of the James river, that the
fate OF the Union should be decided
Clear III my conviction Of right. strong in
The Consciousness that / have ever BEEN and
still am. actuated solely By love OF my country.
knowing that no ambitious or selfish motives
nave influenced me from the commencement OF
this war: do now what / neyer Gd il nay
lie before entreat that this order may be re
Sc;il;.cd. Ii my counsel does not prevail. /
Will. with sad heart, obey your order to the
utmost OF my power, GeVOtinr to the move
ment, which clearly iorescc viii be one Of the
utmost de.cacy and difficulty, whatever skill
may possess whatever the result may bc, and
may Goa grant that am mistaken in nay fore
bodings. | shall nj least have the internal sat
islacilon that L have written and spoken
frankly. and have sought to do the best i'll nay
power TO arrest disaster from my country.
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major Gen
The consideration put forth by General
MCCLEiAAS, as above, and the failure OF
the Government to reinforce him, will ap-
pear all the more remarkable, when it is
remembered that only 1900 me: stood
III the way OF his receiving such reinforce
ments; 10y demanding $4,000, ard the
government con:eding him only 2o,Gou.
which he regarded as Insufficient