The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1863-12-26
The Peninsular Route.

IRON Harrson's Landing. has gre Al interes,
itis eloquent and convincing. Would ,ha
IL had been listened to ss IL deserved. Til,
madness which reigsed at Washington hsl
tsacrificed hecslombs Of men since the dat.
of this. and all because Gen. Halleck refus
led 10 listen 10 Gen. McCle,hn:
BERKLeY. Va, Aug. 4-i2 NJ.
Nsjor Gen. HaIlsck, Commander in Chief
Your telegram Of las, evening l. received
J must confess !, caused me the greatest pair
! ever experienced. for am convinced N q
The order 10 withdraw this army 10 Aqui,
Creek will prove disastrous In the ex,rems
70 our cause. fear il will be fatal blow
Several days are necessary 10 complete The
preparations for so important a movemen,
as this, and while they sre ia progress.
ibeg that careful considerations may be eive,.
70 nv statement This army il now in ex-
ceIeni discipline and condition. We hold
deboucbc or both banks Of the James riv-
er. so that we are free 10 act in any direc-
ttion, and with the assistance Of the gunboats.
! consider our communication ns secure
| We arc 25 miles from Richmond, and are
not likely 70 meet the enemy in force SUN
ciens 70 fight battle until we have march
ed IS 10 l8 miles, wiioh brings us practical
y within 10 miles OF Richmond. Our Tor
Igest line Of land transportation would be
from this point 25 miles, but By the aid OF
the gunboass We can supply the army By
water. during i,s advance. certainly to with
lin IL miles OF Richmond. At Acquis Creek
We would be rs miles from Richmond, with
land transportation ell the way. From here
Ito Fortress Monroe 10 . march Of 10 miles.
Sos regard IL q imprscticsble 10 Withdraw
this army and lie material except BY land.
The result Of the movement would thus be
60 march l45 miles 70 reach : point nov
only rs mil-s distant, and to deprive our.
selves entirely Of the powerful aid Of the
gunboass and water transportation. Add to|
this the certain dsmora lixaiion Of this army
which would ensue, the terribly derf sssiDg
fleet upon the people OF the Mort, and
thu strong probability that Il WOULD infiu.
ence foreign powers 10 torecognize our adver-
ssries; and these appear to me sufi client 70
make II my imperative duty 20 urge, In the
strongest terms afforded BY our language,
that this order be rescinded, and that fer from
recalling this army. IL may be promptly REL
inicrccd 70 enable il 10 resume the often
sive.
Il msy Be sid that there are no reinforce.
ments available. ! point 70 Gen. Burnside's
forcrs, 10 those Of Gen. Pope, mot necessary
10 maintain strict defense in front Of Wash
ingon and Hsrper's Ferry; TO those portions
Of The Army Of the West not required for
strict defense there. Here, directly in front
Of this army. is theiheart Of rebellion. II 10
here lh 81 al our resources should be collect
ed 70 strike the blow which will desermine
The fate Of this nalion. All points OF secon
iary importance elsewhere should be aban-
ioncd, and every available man brought here
A decided victory here and the military
strength Of the rebellion. crushed. Il mat.
ers nos what partial reverses We may meet
with elsewhere; here 10 the true defense Of
w Wsshingsonj IL il here on the banks OF the
James river that the fate Of the Union should !
De decided.
Clear in my conviction 81 right, strong 10
he coasciousness that have ever been,
ind still am sctusted solely BY love Of my
sounlry, knowing that no ambitious or sell \
fish motives have Influenced me from the !
ommenccment Of the war. do now what !.
never did in my life before. entreat that
his order may be rcscnded. Tiny counsel
does not prevail. will with sad heart
ubey your order 70 the utmost Of my power. "
devotng 10 the movemen.--one Of the un-
most deIicacy and difficulty whatever skill
may possess, and may God grant tha, an
10 my forebidings. IshslI st least
have the internal satisfaction that I have
written and spoken frankly, snd have sougbt
10 DO the best In my power to arrest disas-
Ter from my country.
GEo. B. McCLEtLAa, Maj Gen.
0JHawkiDs, one Of the p,r,ies in thela Z
recent kidnapping case q Montreal, has !
been tried and found guilty. The trial of :