The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-05-08
Tho Richmond Whig on Gen.
McClellen.

While General Mcclellan, remarks The
New York Evening Post, was at the head oI
the Potomac army, the rebel journals always
spoke of him with great pretcnse of admira
ton. They used to assure the world thai
General Mcclellan was the only man they
were afraid oc-the only Yankee Gen. whom
they thought to be possessed Of any genius.
These opinions were often cited by Gen.
McClelan's aimrers. Now however, when
this officer is displaced from the army. and
when there is no likelihood that hc will ever
return to command, the rebel journalists
come out with their real opinions Of his mer-
its rs o military officer.
From The Richmond whig, April 2lst.
"THE LATE GEORGE D. LILLIAN.
"Young Napoleon is dead-dead beyond
resurrection. In the aesh he may still walk
the earth. but in sperit, in power, in the
hope of glory he il deiunct. 1t is notewor-
thy fact that the ulaloos and hullabaloos over
this person have ceased in Yankeeand. For
two or three months after his dismissal Inc
was the pet object OF Democratic sympathy
and conservative sympathy; but now even
Beast Butler has grander ovatons than hc.
Ills namc is seldom heard among men. lie
is nO more.
"A review of his career from the time hc
claimed Rosecran's laurcs in the little affair
at Rich Mountain down to tho battle OF An.
tietam would be instructive to the nation OF
liars who accepted him at his own lying val
uation, and discarded him because his false
hoods, gigantic as they were, produced no
visible impression upon the rebellion. II
might also profit the Contederacy to trace in
the career Of this braggart the everything
power which has never tailed to darken tho
counscls of tho wicked and to cause all things
to work together for good in behalf Of the
Just cause. Nothing is easier to prove than
that the elevation OF Mcclellan to the posi-
tion of Commander-in.C Chief Of the Yankee
army was all that was needed, after the elec-
ton of Lincoln, to insure our independence.
The recital of few facts will show how
greatly we are indebted to him.
"In October, 1861, he had lS0, 900 men
and the mos. overwhelming array Of field
artillery that had ever been seen upon this
continent. Before him was an army Of 40,
900 Confederates, occupying Mason 8 and
Munson's Hill, and defantly daring him to
come out Of his Qualifications. The roads
were good and weather splendid, he had but
to advance in force to gain an easy victory
so, at least. thought his master Lincoln. But
he knew his men were towards, and he was
afraid of his reputation. He did not want
to fight he sought merely to push us from
one position to another by dint OF enormous
numbers-hence the flank movement by way
of Leesburg. which ended so horribly, and
benumbed him with fright for three months
"Driven by an imperative order to advance
again, in spite Of the Winter mud, he enter.
ed the intrenched camp at Manassas only to
find it mass Of surrounding ruins.
ale shipped round to tho Peninsula, tax
ing ll2 900 men with him. Magruder OPP
posed him with but $500 men, kept him in
check and forced him to the use of the spade
and pick. his hvorite weapons. He made
sese, and in due time occupied our deserted
lines. The battle of Williamsburg followed.
His advance was whipped by Jobnson's rear
guard, but owing partly to the ignorance OF
the country and to the bad handling of some
of our troops, he was enabled to gain enough
advantage on one wing to put some conceit
into his men. He acknowledged, however,
at one time it looked rs il Bull Run rout
would be enacted again.
"Space will not permit us to follow Young
Napoleon through the narrative OF his career.
The Yankees might have taken Richmond
after the battle of Seven Pines. when our
forces were in confusion. After the battle
of Hanover Court House he might have done
the same thing. After the battle Of Antie-
tam the same.
"In tho report of the battle no convicts
himself of f,lsehood in the most glaring man
ner. He excuses himself for not renewing
the battle the morning of the 18th by saying
his losses were so great, and there was so
much dsorganization in some OF the com.
mands, that he did not think 1t proper, es-
pecialy rs he was sure Of the arrival that
day of $4,000 fresh men He happens to
rccolect the return of his enemy, Ilooker's
corps, viz: $4,000 men for duty, and four
days after the same corps showed l3,5O0.-
Yet after this admission of loss md disorgan.
ization, he closes hy claiming great victory,
with capture of l3 guns. 80 colors, $4,000
small arms, and 6 1000 prisoners.
"Ilis bombastic dispatches from Western
Virginia secured his elevation. His reputa.
ton was founded on lies. In lies he lowered
and under lies he is lost-crushed. How
fortunate for us that he was chosen chief of
the Yankee army! With the immcnce num-
bers at his command. an officer Of truth, en-.
tcrprisc and daring would have pushed US
sorely hut he was in awe OF his dishonest
reputation. His lies made him coward,
and from the first day to the last Of his mil.
i,ary career, he did not dare, on single oc.
casion, to expose himself to fire. A menda-
cious, dastardly boaster, he pcrished so un-
manfully that the Righteousness of his last
moments destroys every vestige OF obligation
conferred by his vain.g glorious prctentions.
"A man without some sort Of religion
Al m 4