The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-04-24
From iha N. Y. Tribune.
The Conduct of the War,


CONDUCT Of tho War has completed its ro-
port on tho operations OF the Army Of the
Potomac, and we print il in full :his morning
surrendering to it q very largo portion Of
our space, but not more than its interest
and great Importance demand. For tho first
time tho public is put in possession of clear
and impartial historyof the great army which
he Nation raised with unexamplod liberali-
ty and rapidity, and with unequaled geuer-
osity intrustcd to an untricd commander.
The Joint Committee, appointed in DO.
cember, 1861, has pursued its labors with
patient diligence ovor since, aud finally pro.
sents the results of its investigation to Con-
gress and the public in a report which is a
model of lucid, compact and impregnable
statement. Composed of men differing
widely in their polticel views aud personal
sympa:hics, and examining questions into
which both politics aud personalities bavo
been too largely suffered to enter, the Com
mittee have, nevertheless, been united by an
honest purpose to discov or tho whole truth,
and are unanimous in tho conclusions at
which they have arrived.
The report begins with tho organization
of the Army of tho Potomac under Gen.
Mcclellan, and follows its fortunes down to
the dismissal of Con. Burnside after tho bat
tlo of fredericksburg. Itpresonts the facts
concerning tho blockade of tho Potonac, the
inaction of the Army during tho Winter of
| 1882, the Rebel evacuation of Manassas,
the Peninsular Campaign, thefaluro of Gen.
Mcclellan to cooperate with Gen. Pope
tho Campaign in Mar yland, tho protracted
delay which followed tho battle of Antic.
tam, the removal of Gen. Mcclellan, the
operations undor Gen. Burnside, and the
tiual resignation of that commander 1t in
cludos therefore the whole military career
of Gen. Mcclellan, and not oven his friouI;
can object that he should be judged by tho
results of an examination 30 comprehensive
and by Committee who cannot be sus
pected Of bias for or against him.
At the. time of tho appointment of the
Committee in December, 1861, tho Army
OF tho Potomac numbered about 1856, 900
mon. Gen. Mcclellan had been its com.
mauder since July. Tho whole of tho inter-
voning time had beon consumed in its or
ganization and equipment, and since the Ia,
of October It had beon we'll armed and sup
plicd with material, woll.disciplined, ant
eager for active service. Nowhore was i
expected to go into Winter quarters. Th,
defense of Washington required not NOR,
than $4,000 to $4,000 men, leaving 100000
for aggressive operations. The Rebels wer'
at Manassas, in a force now known to have
been less than 20, 900 and by no means strong
ly fortified. Con. Mcclellan, nevertheless
remained quiet all Winter, and tho only &C
tive operations were on the part of tbt
Rebels, by bockading the Potomac.
That soro disgrace tho Navy was eager tc
remove, requiring only the corporation o.
about 1000 troops in ordor to hold Matthias
Point. Gen. Mcclellan, after many solicita
tions, promised the troops, and preparations
were completed, but the troops failed to ar
rive. The reason assign ed for their non
appearance was the opinion of McClellan'
engineers that they could not be landed a
the point proposed. Capt. Fox replied tina
tho landing of tho troops was matter TO
which tho Navy were responsible, and tho
were again promised but again wore no
sent. Tho only excuse offered was the fea
of Gen. Mcclellan that the movement nigh
bring on general engagement. Tho block
ade, therefore. continued till March follow
ing whom tho Rebels of their own accort
abandoned il.
On tho 10th Of January, 1862, the Prosi
dent ordered movement of Gen. Nc
Clellau's army toward Manassas Junction OF
or before the 22d of February. Con. Nc
Clellan objected, proposing to 20 by way o
tthe Rappahannock, and still leave the Po
tomac blockade unbroken. Tho Presiden
replied to his objections tersely and conclu
svely, but council of war finally, by a vot
of eight to four, indorsed Gen. Mcclellan
t plan, and the President yielded. Before
could be executed tho Rebels ubandone
/ their position at Manassas, and Gen. Nc
CleIlan thereupon ordered the whole arm
forward on the enemy's trail. 1t. went n
further than Fairfax Court House befor
Mcclellan again changed his purpose, re
9 called the army, and resumed his Rappt
hammock plan. This was on the lIth {
March. On the 18th, he for the secon
time abandoned that plan, and proposed I
= coanciI of war the movement on the Pei
insula by way Of York and Jaues Rivers
:. The President assented to this change, wit
the stipulation that Washington should /
left secure in the opinion of all the corr
commanders.
d Those commanders reported in substant
. that not less than 5000 men were necessal
for the defense of the Capital. Gen. Nj
Clellan. nevertheless, after he had left Ale,
andris, and without conference with Il
corps commanders, sent back orders for a
tho troops except about $4,000, partly ra,
and wholly unsupplied with artillery, to joi
I him. Gen. Wadsworth, who was in con
5, mand of the District of Washington, r,
= = monstrated, an investigation was had. an