Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-12

In the present position of the Army Of the Po-
tomac and the Virginia campaign, the following
letter of Gen. Mcclellan. written from Harri-
sons Landing. has great interest. 1t is eloquent
and convincing Would that il had been listened
to as it deserved The madness which reigned
mt Washington has sacaiiced hecatombs of men
since the date of this, and all because Gen. Hal
leck refused to listen to Gen. Mcclellan
BERKLEY, Va, Aug. 4-l2 NJ.
Major Gen. Haleck. Commander in Chief:
Your telegram of last evening is received |
must confess il coused me the greatest pain
ever experienced, for | am convinced that the or
der to withdraw this army 10 Aqua Creek will
prove disastrous in the extreme to l
fear it will be a fatal blow. Several DAYS are
necessary to complet the preparations for so i'm
portant movement as this, and while they are
in progress, beg that careful considerations may
be given to my statement. This army is now in
excellent discipline and condition. We hold n
debouche on both banks of the James river, so
that we are free to act in any direction, with
the assistance OF the gunboats, consider our
communication secure.
We are % miles from Richmond and are not
likely TO meet the enemy in force sufficient TO
fight battle until We have marched ID TO Is
miles, which brings US practically within 10 miles
Of Richmond. Our largest line of land trans
portation would be from this point - miles. but
by the aid of the gunboats we can supply the
army by water, during its advance. certainly TO
within IL miles OF Richmond At Acquia Creek
would be 10 miles from Richmond, with land
transportation all the way. FROM here to Fort
rcss Monroe is a march no miles for regard
il as impractcable To withdraw this army and its
material except by land The result of the
movement would thus be 10 march lI5 miles to
reach point now only p miles distant, and TO
deprive ourselves entirely of the powerful aid OF
the gunboats and water trusportation Add To
this the certain decentralization OF this army
which would ensue. the terribly depressing effect
upon the people of the North. and the strong
probability that it would influence foreign powers
to recognize our adversaries; and these appear To
me sufficient To make il my imperative duty to
urge. IN the strongest terms afforded by our Ian
Suasc. that this order be re.cnde,. and that far
from recalling this army it my be promptly re-
iniorced to enable il Ia resume the offensive
IL may be said that there are 40 reintorcements
available. / point to Gen Buuside's forces. to
those of Gen. Pope. not necessary to maintain a
strict defense in front of Washington and Har-
pers Ferry; &c those portions Of the Army of the
West not required for strict defense there.
here, directly IN front Oi this army Is the heart
OF the rebellion 1t is here that all our resources
should be collected to strike the blow which will
determipe the fate OF this nation. All points of
secondary importance elsewhere should be aban-
doned, and every available man brought here A
decided victory here and the military strength Of
the rebellion crushed Ii matters not what par
tial reyerses we may meet with elsewhere here
is the true defense Of Washington: II is here on
the banks of the James river that the fate of the
Union should be decided
Clear in my conviction of right. strong in the
consciousness that have ever been and still am
ae-uated solely by love of my country. knowing
that 10 ambitious or selfish motives have influ-
encei me from the commencement of the war. |
do now what never did in NV life before
enireat that this order NAV be rescinded. Ii my
counsel does not prevail will with sad heart
obey your order 10 the utmost OF my power, de
voting To the moycment-one of the utmost del
icacy aud ulty-whatever skill | nav pos
seSs, and may God grant that am mistaken in
my forebOdings | shall At least have the inter
nal satisfaction that have written and spoken
frankly. and have sought " DO the best in M
power to arrest disaster from my country.
Gro. b MCCLELLAN, Mai Gen