The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-04-14
REPORT OF THE WAR COM
r MlTTEE.
iti4sNW NAV Yoxx. Apr;l !.

4NftfWHtE ~ttHkM EHE IN
''s'f''t~ New Yoxx, April 5.
The full report of the Committee on th
Conduct Of the War occupied "a closely print
ed pages. The principal part Of tbo testi
mony relates no the army Of the Potomac
The report shows that December 18th, 1851
exclusive of the command of Gen. Dix, a
Baltimore, the Potomac army numbered 1856,
900 men, well armed, disciplined and equip
ped. The strength Of the enemy was varioas
iy estimated at from 10000 to 10000 a
that time, and their ranks exceedingly formi
dabls, but subsequent events proved that thsi
force was less than 10000, and the strength
of their Notifications greatly over-estimated.
AT the same time il was considered uuad
visable 10 attack tho enemy in front, also il
would be necessary to leave from 5000 to
so, 900 men in front of Washington for it's de-
fence, theicby allowing about 100000 more
for service elsewhere. The committee aver
that adequate provision was never made to
properly man the Notifications in front Of
Washington. GyI
Relative to the blockade Of the Potomac
the Committee states it was proposed TO take
possession of Matthias Point in June, 1851
and again 10 August, but nothing was done.
In October plan was adopted to take il
the Potomac flotilla to act conformity with q
detachment of troops, but tho troops were
not seut rs agreed, and the plan was not
tired. Soon after, the Potomac fotills
left on the Port Royal expedition, when the
river was almost Immediately closed by the
rebel batteries, until the rebels had voluntarily
left. f3't 4EL
On the 10th Of January, 1862, the Presi-
dent, as Commander in. Chiefl ISSUED orders for
a general movement of all the armies of the
United States, one Of the results ofwhich was
the capture Of Forts Henry and Donelson, on
the 3lst Of January. The President ordered
all the dispcsabls force of the Army of the
Potomac, after providing for the safety Of
Washington, to seize point on the railroad
Southwest of Manassas, and the expedition
TO move Lafora The 22d of February. This
plan was objected TO as dividing our army by
too great distance to enable The two portions
to support each other. -r s....r.
The Commanding General recommended
instead, movement by way of the Kappa.
hammock or Fortress Monroe. To this propo-
sition the President propounded certain ques.
tions as to its feasibility, and advantages, asd
finally q movement by way of Annapolis,
and the Rappahsnnock was agreed upon, but
the rebsls evacuated their position at Manas
sas, retreating to the Rappahaunock, thus
rendering the plan futile. On the 18th Of
March a council of Gsaerals decided on
by the way sf York and James riv.
es, which the President sanctioned, deciding
that enough force be left to protect Manassas,
aud leave Washington secure. Mcdowell
was assigned the advance, but transportation
not being adequate, his division was detained
till the last, and subsequently, retained for
the defence of Washington. Previous to
leaving, the Commanding General address
cd o Communication to the Adjutant Gensr.
al, showing that ne iert o4,zoo ~ dc
fsrent points, at Wsneptou, Manassas. Shen
andoah, and on the Lower Potomac, with
1 1000 for the garrison, and in front Of Wash
ineton. va = .1. ~
Tho next day Gen. Wadsworth stated that
his force for the defence Of Washington was
and the subject was referred to
Gen. Hitchcock, who made bis report the
same evening, which concludes with the
opinion that the requirements Of the Presi
dent that enough force be left to secure the
sNfety of Washington, had not been fairly
complied with. The President the next day
ordered McDowelPs corps to remain This
brings the Committees report to the Peniusu
l. campaign. After landing near Fort Mon
roe, the army moved towards Yorktown OF
the 4th Of April, appearing before tha rebel
works on the 9Th. The Committee says that
testimony proves that the rebels had from
1000 to $4,000 at Yorktown then, and it is
now evident that our forces could then have
pierced the rebel lines, cutting off their rein.
forcements; but siege was determined on,
to the wishes of tho President. The
Committee rehearses the facts relative 10 the
evacuation of Yorktown, aud the battle OF
Williamsburg, and says one OF the Gene'a's
testified that after the latter battle, il the
eneuy had been followed, our forces could
have reached Richmond almost without firing
a gun; but the General commanding states
that bad roads made punuit impracticable.-
After the battle Of Williamsburg, it was do
cided to send Mcdowell, via fredericksburg,
to reinforce the army Of the Potomac, but the
operation of Jackson In the Shenan !oah pre-
vented his being sent. Seven Pines aud
Fair Oaks, in which il is stated that Hooker
made reconnoisaucs TO within four miles Of
Richmond. Certain officers testify that the
army there could have marched right into
Richmond. ftc -rfe,. ru-rr-..,.- n -.--r-
The Committee then continues relative TO
the severe battle, giving number Of tele.
grams which passed between Mcclellan and
the President. The former telegraphed on
the night Of the eth Of June, that the Gov.
ernment had not sustained his army. On the
night Of the 25th Of July, Gems. Hsllsck aud
Burnside visited Harrison's Landing, soon
after which ii was decided to withdraw The
army from there, and which was done TO rein.
force Pope. The Committee devotss some
six pages to kilograms aud extracts of evil
dence relative to Pope's defeat, and then goes
on to the campaign in Maryland; also main
ly composed Of extracts from tho letter oi
Gems. Mcclellan and Halleck, and telegram,
in relation to Antietam. Mcclellan tesliies
that the morning after tho battle ho found oul
loss had been great, the commands much Dis
organized, and did not renew tue attack thai
dav but manaOed To attack thu dav altar