New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-06

action of both houses Of Congress, they deemed it
but just to award TO his position the consideration OF
asking him 10 confer with them in relation to the
best method of fulfilling those expectations which
the people had night to hope for from admins
tration upon which they had through their repre-
sentatives, conferred such plenary powers refer
ence TO the journal OF yonr committee will show that
i'll health prevented Gen. Mcclellan from immedi
ties of the case, however, were so pressing and
urgent that your committee concluded to proceed ut
once to the taking of testimony.
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Soon after the battle Of Bull Run, in July, 1861,
Gen. Mcdowell was superseded, and Gen. McClel-
Ian was called by the President to the command of
the army of the Potomac. The campaign in Western
Virginia the credit OF which bad been generally
sscribed to Gen. Mcclellan; tpe favor with which IL
was understood he was regar4d by Gen Scott, then
of the army Of she United States;
even his comparative youth holding out the promise
of active and rigorous measures; ALI hese consdera
tons tended to infuse hone into the public mind, and
to remove the gloom and dependency which had
followed the disastrous issue OF the campais lust
ended.
Every energy of the Government and all the re-
sources of generous and patriotic people were freely
and layishly placed at the disposal OF Gen. Mcclellan
10 enable him TO gather together another army ana
put in the complete state OF efficiency, 30 tha
offensive operations might be resumed ut the earliest
practicable moment. The Army Of the Potomac
became the object of special care TO every depart
ment of the Government, and all other military
movements and organizations were made subordinate
TO the great purpose OF collecting al washington,
and organizing there an army which should over
power the forces OF the enemy, ana forever
crush out any hope Of success which the
Rebels might cherish. Even when the army oil
the Potomac had attained dimensions never before
contemplated in the course OF military operauons
upon this continent, and seldom, ever, equaled IN
modern times no portion Of its rapidly Increasing
,l,ara az n he diyerlpd. for
brief period TO the accomplishment Of other enter
prises The generals IN charge OF the various expe
dtions from time TO time inaugurated, and from
which so much benefit was anticipated-Gen. But
Ter, Gen. Sherman, Gen. Burnside, and others
were compelled TO look elsewhere for the troops to
compose their commands, TO rely upon the continued
patriosm of tho people, aud the zeal OF the Execu-
tives of the various States for the raising OF those
regiments which would enable them TO depart for
the fields of duty assigned to them. No considera
ton was for moment allowed TO diminish or impair
the efficiency of the Army Of the Potomac, and the
unexapled spectacle presented to other nations
who were intenty watching the course Of events In
this country of the larges army Of the present cen.
fury being raised entirely by voluntary enhstments
in the brief period Of few months.
When Congress assembled In this city, in the be-
ginning of December, 1861 20 successful had been
the exertions Of the authorities and % zeaousy had
the people responded TO their CALL that the
consolidated morning reports, furnished your Com
mittee by the Adjutsnt General Of the army, show
ed that, exclusive of the command Of Gen. Dix, nj
Baltimore the Army Of the Potomac consisted Of
about lS5, 900 men.
During the time this large army had been collect
ing and organizing, nothing OF Importance had trans
pired in connection with it, except tho closing Of the
navigation of the Potomac by tho Rebels, which
your Committee treat OF more at length III another
part Of this report, and the melancholy disaster OF
Ball. Bluff which Is made the subject of separate
report
The weather during the Fall season, and for some
weeks after the converting OF Congress, continued
unusually favorable for active military operations
AS month after month passed without anything
being done by the Army OF the Potomac, the people
became more and anxious for the announcement
that the work Of preparation had been completed
and active operation would soon be commenced.
| From ths testimony beforeyour Connittse II a.,
pearea that the Army Of the Potomac was well
armed and equipped, and had reached high state
of discipline by the last Of September or the rst Of
October. The men were ready and eager TO COM
mence active operations. The generals III command
of the various divisions were opposed TO going into
winter quarters, aud the most oil them declared they
had no expectation Of doing 3d.
CORPS ORGANIZATION.
la reference 10 the proper organization OF NO large
an army Is that about Washington In order that II
might be the better able " act most effectively IN
the field the testimony Of the witnesses examined
upon that point is remarkably unanimous. The
generals most familiar with the subject seemed 10
regard of the utmost importance the dvision oil the
army into corps d0Tm6e, and that, too, In time Tor
the instruction Of the troops IN the movements
nece ssary TO render such organization the most
effective. Your Committee deemed 1t 80 vitality
necessary that they repeatedly brought the subject
10 the attention Of the authorities and urged It's
immediate adoption with all the arguments III their
power. The President aud the Secretary Of War
copcurred with them in the necessity OF such n
measure; but it did not seem to be regarded with
much favor by Gen. Mcclellan. Indeed, Gen.
Mcclellan stated to your Committee, at the tme OF
their conference with bim, that, although It might
at some time be expedient 10 divide the army into
army corps, tho subject was Of gree difficulty
He said 1t was delicate matter TO appoint major
generals before they had been tried by actual
service, and had shown their Illness 10
be- selected to command 10000 or 4o0Oo
men. A major-generai could not DC slowed
away 10 pigeon-loe, If he should prove incompe-
tent, 80 easily brigadier-general lie proposed,
therefore, TO himself manage this entire army IN
some battle or campaign, and then select from The
bngadier-generals in 1t such as prove themselves
competent for higher commands. Consequently,
the division Of the army into army corps was not
even begun until after the movement OF the army In
March had commenced, and then only IN pursuance
of the direct and repeated orders OF the President
Gen. Mcclellan, however, continued TO oppose
the organization Of the army into army corps, as
will be seen from the following dispatch 70 him
from the Secretary Of War, dated May ., 1869:
The President unwilling TO have the army corps organ
xaon broken up but also unwilling that tho commanding
shall be -"
nshing collision with the enemy, and on the eve oil an eI
p.ctsd great battle. YOU therefore, temporarily suspend
hst orgazaion In tho army under your imnsdiste com
msnd aud adopt zee It, until further Orders lilo also
writes you privateiy:" ,,.
The provisional corps OF Gen. Fitz,John foHer
and Gen. Franklin were thereupon formed by re-
ducing the other corps from three 10 two divisions
STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY.
Your Committee endeav0red 70 obtain ~ accurate
information as possible in relation 10 the strength
and position of the enemy In front Of Warrington.
The testimony Of the officers In our army mere upon
Early In December AN order had been issued from