Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-04-10

had an army of l56, 900 men-ll5, lO2 being
reported present for duty; and vet he
complains of being out-numbered, and
anticipates defeat In reference TO
the series Of battles which follow,
this date, in which are included the battle
of Gaines Mills, Glendale and Malvern, it
appears that the troops were handled by
corps commanders without the superintend-
ence Of the commanding general. Yet
though deserted by it's commander the Army
fought with great bravery, and the battle of
Malvern Hill, the fercest contest Of the
Peninsula, bears witness to its valor and
shows that with proper management, victory
could have been won for our arms, and the
object Of the advance toward Richmond at
tanned. The retreat of the army which
followed the battles Of the PENN
sula, wa conducted in a manner
that exposed them +, immiuen, dan
ger Of being cut Of, captured and de-
strQycl- The Committee report that so
Harrison Bar, nothing bu, hcayy rain
which prevented the enemy from bringing up
his artillery, saved the army from dc-trCc-
ton. Many Of the officers examined by the
Committee, expressed the opinion that This
retreat WIS not required. but that an advance
after the battle Of Malvern Hill would have
succeeded IN reaching Richmond.
The report continues. TO show the failure
Of Gen. Mcclellan 10 obey orders in reference
to reinforcing Gen. Pope The testimony Of
Gen IIslcck makes Mcclellan responsible
for the defeat Of Gen. Pope.
In reference to the Maryland Campaign
the Committee -ay
Your Committee having gone So fully into
the details Of the Peninsula campaign, ito not
deem il necessary TO devote 70 much space 10 the
campaign in Maryland. The same mind that
controlled the movements upon the Peninsula
controlled those in Maryland, and the same &C.
neral features characterize the one campaign
that characterized the other In each may be-
seen the same unreajines- 10 move promptly and
set vigorously the same desire for more troops
before advancing and the same references TO the
/ great superiority Of numbers on the part q the
enemy.
They review the campaign in Maryland, and
subsequent operations in Virginia, quoting
largely from orders, dispatchy, and letters.
In reference to the battle of Trcdcricks-
burg, the Committee ssy,ti, testimony of all
the witnesses proves that he'd Gen Franklin
attacked the enemy un the left with the yi-or
/ expected Of him, the success Of the engage
ment would have been complete. General
Franklin AYERS that he acted exactly as he
understood his orders, and the published or
der seems to show that his landing
was natural Gen. Burnside's subsequent
plans We're frustrated by the representations
Of inferior officers 10 the President. as has
been heretofore stated and believed.
On the FIRST battle Of Bull Run and Bali :
Bluff, the Committee make separate report,
not yet published.
The Committee close their report with
saying that they submit the facts without
criticism to any considerable extent. They
state briefly what has been accomplished
in putting down the rebellion and with what
means, and the prospects Of ultimate and
entire Success. Had the success Of the army
Of the Potomac last spring oorrcsp5nded
with that Of other armies they hold the re-
bollion would have been then well nigh orcr-
thrown. But in our movements We sccm 10
have forgotten that momentum i mad, up
OF weight and velocity, our DELAYS have al
WAYS been fatal to success. Yet disasters are
sometime, unavoidable at the best, and with
4 courage. cYn>tancy and unity on she part Of
the people, everything promise- q speedy
and victorious end
There are many interesting points IN the
report. which of necessity We must for the
present Iass over. Its extreme length f1rbii-
any thing Int mere abstract. Though the
cyents.thatit treats Of are passed by and many
Of the principal actor are in other positions
some gone 70 their -lav,--,hc report viii
lc read with interest, 81 giving at lcas; a
glimpse OF the inside history Of the army
Of the P,tomac