Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-27

McClellan's greatness. Whatever fault |
has been found with Mcclellan hitherto,
he has at least received the credit Of be-
ing profoundly versed with the theory and
etiquette Of war. he was understood to
have been dilligent student at West
Point and strict disoiplinarian in the
army subsequently, to his graduation
While in command of the Army Of the PO-
tomac he was universally considered
sound upon all the usages and science of
war, and, through all the long months that
have elapsed since he was adjudged guilty
Of criminal inactivity by the American
people, he has never been considered de-
fcient in the army regulations. But the
letter Of General Scott knocks out even
this last prop upon which the "YOung Ma
poleon was supported. 1t shows that as
early as the fall of 1861, he refused TO re-
cognize his superior officer, General Scott,
and escaped court martial only from con-
sideration for the good of the service, on the
part of the slighted General-in-Chief. But
be will be lauded none the less for this by
the Democratic press, who have already
nominated the Great Inert for the Presi-
dency in 1864
In presenting this letter (which was
obtained at the War Department. to Con-
gress, Mr.. Stevens said that our great
want Of success was suffering Breckin-
ridge Democrats to head our armies-men
without heart or disposition to crush the
rebellion. When General Mcclellan was
at Yorktown, he was promptly ordered to
attack the enemy and break his lines. He
never obeyed the order. When ordered to
send troops to aid General Pope, he stood
idle eleven days before he started, and
then at 8 snairs pace. He sent troops IN
der pet Generals, who never reached the
battle ground. General Porter was one
of them, and was justly dismissed from
the army for causing defeat General
Mcclellan reinstated was ordered to pur-
sue the enemy, invading Maryland. He
, had 10000 troops, and moved at the rapid
rate of six miles day till he got up with
them Antietam was a quasi victory )
and while in sight of the rebel army, he
suffered the enemy to cross into Virginia,
taking the last man, wagon and ambulance
with him, and shortly after, when ordered
by the CommGnder-in-C Chief to pursue the
enemy, he hesitaied three weeks, then took
the South Mountain path There were four
distinct instances of disobedience of or
ders. The letter WAS then read, as follows
HEADouAErERs - THE Army,
WAsHINGroS, October 4, 1861.
Clos S. CAMERON, SECRETARY OF WAR
Sir You are. | believe, aware that |
hailed the arrival Of Major General Nc
Clellan as an event of happy consequence
to the country and to the army. Indeed,
if did not call for h,m, | heartily ap-
proved of the suggestion, and gave him
the most cordial reception and support.
ale, however, had hardly entered upon
his new duties. when, encouraged to com
municate directly with the President and
certain members Of the Cabinet, he in a
few days, forgot that he had any immedi-
ate commander, and has long prided him
self upon treating me with uniform neg
lect, running into disobediencesf orders.
OF the smaller matters, neglects, though
in themselves grave military oifensss,
need not speak, in the face Of the follow
conspicuous in Major General Mcclellan
than in any other officer, l published the
ollowing:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
WAsHHGroN, September l6, 1861.
( GENERAL ORDERS No l1.-There are
Irregularities in the correspondence of the
army which need prompt correction. 1t is
= highly important that junior officers on
duty be not permitted to correspond with
the General-in-Chig OF other commander
on current official business except through
intermediate commanders; aud the same
= rule applies TO CORES spondence with the
President direct, or with BIN through the
Secretary Of War, unless II be by the spe-
cial invitation or request of the President
by command OF Lieut.-5en. SCOTT
Z. u. TOWNSEND, Asst AiIt General.
With this fresh order in his memory
Major General Mcclellan addressed two
important communications to the Secretary
Of War, on respectively the 18th and 2Ott
of the same month, over my head and
how many since to the Secretary, aud even
to the President direct, | have not in
quired, but many, have no doubt, beside
daily oral communications with the SAINT
D high functionaries, all without my kuowl
edge.
Second, to orIect another class Of grave
neglects, the same day caused 10 be ad
dressed to Gen. Mcclellan the following
= order:
HEADQUARTERS or THE ARMY,
WASHINGTON, September III, 1861. J
. | To Mai. Gen. MCCLELLAN, $. A., Commanding
Department of the Potomac:
The Commanding General Of the Army
Of the Potomac will cause the positions
state, and number Of troops under him tC
be reported AT once to General Head
+ quarters by divisions brigades and indie
pendent regiments or detachments, which
report will be followed by reports Of new
troops as they arrive, with the dispositions
made of them, together with all the mate
S rial changes which may take place in the
r same army.
/ BY command Of Lieut.-Cen SCOTT.
, E. D. TOwNsEND, Asst Adjt General.
E Eighteen days have now elapsed, and
t not the slightest respect has been shown Il
I either of these orders by Maj Gen. Nc
Clellan Perhaps he will say, in respect
to the latter, it has been difficult for him t.
= procure exact returns OF divisions, brig
| AIDES, sc. No doubt but why not have
, given me prOximate returns, such as he 81