Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-03-06
BY &. P. WALTON
FROM WASHINGTON.
THURSDAY, Feb. 2e.

THURSDAY, Feb. &C.
Iasubordindtion Of General NcClolidn
For some time past there has been a great
deal of curiosity and some surprise created
by the statement that Gen. Scott had made
serious complaints against Gen. Mcclellan,
before the former retired from his position at
the head of the army. Indeed the Senate
called upon the President to communicate
Gen. Scots letter. and in the debate in the
House, on Tuesday last, on the Militia .lor
conscription) bill, Mr.. Stephens Of Pennsyl-
vania produced it. ! copy an abstract Of his
speech, embracing the letter. There may be
differences OF opinion as to the four acts Of
insuboroination charged by Mr. Stevens, but
there can be none about Gen. Scott's letter.
1t is plain that, either through the instigation
Of others, or because his head was turned BY
too sudden elevation TO an extreme height Of
military power, Gen. Mcclellan incurred the
displeasure Of his superior, aud that, too,
after Gen. Scott had most heartily coneurred
! with the President in calling Mcclellan to
his late position in The army.
Mr.. Stevens said that our great want Of
success was suffering Breckenridge Democrats
to head our armics-men without heart or
Q disposition to crush the rebellion. When
I Gen. Mcclellan was at Yorktown, he was
. promptly ordered to attack the enemy and
break his lines. He never obeyed she order.
3 When ordered to send troops to aid Gen.
d Pope, he stood idle eleven days before he
/. started, and then at a snails space. He sent
II troops under pet Generals who never reached
e the battle-ground. Gen. Porter was one of
If them, and was justly dismissed from the army
s. for causing defeat Gen. Mcclellan reinstat-
IN ed, ordered to pursue the enemy. inyad-
e ing Maryland. He had 100 600 troops, and
re moved at the rapid rate Of six miles day
e till he got up tn them. An;ietam was a
We great victory and while in sight Of the rebel
De army, he suffered the enemy to cross into
Virginia taking the last man, wagon, and am
to bulance with him, and shortly after, when or
dered by the Commander-in-C Chief to pursue
the enemy, he hesita,ed for three weeks, then
took the South Mountain path. There we're
four distinct instances Of disobedience Of
> orders Mr.. Stevens desired to read letter
s. from Gen. Scott to Simon Cameron
s. Mr. Mallory inquired where Mr.. Stevens
O. procured the letter.
VI Mr. Stevens replied that it was copy from
mt letter on file at the War Department 1t
e. was read. as follows
We HHADouAKrKHs or TIM ARNv.
ia WAsHiNGroN. OCT a. 1851.
10 y "a at
rs SIR You are / believe, that hailed The
ot rival here Of MeJotGen Mcclellan c,entof happy
he consequence 20 The country and The afmy Indeed n
did not call hr him heartily approved Of the sugges
'le tou' and gave him the most cordial reception and sup
port
He, however had hardly entered upon his new duties
when Encouraged 20 communicate directrdy with M,
A President and certain members Of the Cabinet he Va
er few days forgot that he had any immediate commander
and has nov long pTded himself upon treating will
no uniform neglect running into dsobedcnoe Of orders
ger OF the smaller matters negects oough IN themseve
10 grave military ohenses. need not speak in the face
is spicuous in MAJ Gen. MeCean than any other u
~ ~ HEAuat ARrrRs oy ruE Aa~r.J
MS WAsHlNCroS, sept l6, 1851
TO GENERAL ORDERS No n II here are irreeulafues q
the correspondence Of the army which need prompt
recton II is highly important that junior ohc dur
ly be permitted to correspond with The Gen n-Chsf
other commander on current official business excep
through intermediate commanders; aud thc came rub
,rt ippes correspondence with The President direct
with him through the Secretary Of War unless 10 De b.
Of the specialinyianon or requcis Of the Presdent
zee BY command Il Lieut.. Gen Sc0rf
~. r.. d. 1owNsEND, Asst AdJ't-Genefai
"o Win this order flesh iu bis memory, Major Genera
lay Mcclellan addressed two Important communications g
Is The Secretary Of War GA respectively he l9in aud 2Ot
Of the same months, my head AND how many zinc
yer 10 the secfeta and even 20 the President Direct hay
hat not inquired, but many. have doubt beside dali
~ oral communications with the high f1ncdouafie
az all without my knowledge.
lis second correct another class Of grave nesleets
me the day caused TO be addressed Gen McClea
n the following order
n.y. HAnouARrERs or rus ARMY
WAsiusoroN Sept. 10. 1851
-, To Mqj0r- Gen Mcclellan. &. y A. Commanding ~,
W. p1rfDterf OF the Potomac.
ler The Commanding General Of hc Army Of the Pot
ied mac VI" cause me positions state and numheI oi troop
under hin TO be reported at 10 General Hesdqua
m tiers by divisions ufeades and independent regiment
I'm. OF dctachmen- which report will he followed by report
do Of ne" troops a. they arrive With the dispositions mad
Wv Of them, together with all the material changes whic
ca- may take place in the army
ern Brcomr and OF Lieut. Gen soorr
!, +. d. TOWNSEND, Asst Adj't Gen.
OF Eighteen days now elapsed and not the slightest II
spoct has been shown either NJ orders hy Mai
Gen. Mcclellan. Perhaps he will say. in respect to ii
I'd latter, is has been difficult for him procure exact n
eh turns Of divisions, ongades, No doabt; but VII
not have given me proKimate returns, such as he
lien eagerly furnished the President aud Secctae
the Haa, then, senior corrective power junior
IN Of such persistent neglect aud dsobcdeuce
- The remedy by arrest and ual before count matt
led would probably the evil but has b.,
in feared conflict Of authority the head Of the
would be mghb cneourAg9e to the enemies and depIe
fole bearance and continuing Though but nomnay)
~ duty shall Try TO hold out I'LL the arrival ofMaj &c
YER confidence the safety fthe Union, and being
tho unable 10 ride in the saddle walk by of drop
n0 IN my feet and legs and paralysis the small Of Il
oke back, shall dehndyely retire flom the army.
are have the honor TO remain with high respect,
IL Your most obedient servant,
the WiNFBLD 'ScoTT
oy The Consumption BiH
The vote in the House, yesterday, on tn
yer CONSUMPTION (militia) bill, was ayes ll5-
~ Democrats ,, Union s. Republicans 9s.-