Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-28

In the present position of The Army CT the Po-
tomac and he Virginia campo gn. the following
letter of Gen Mcclellan. written from Harri
sons Landing, mas great interest. II is eloquent
and convincing. Would that il had been listened
10 as it deserved. The madness which reigned
at Washington bias sacaifced hecafombs of men
since the date of this. and all because Gen Hal
leck refused to listen to Gen. Mcclellan
BERKLEy. Va. Aug. Alp NJ.
Major Gen. Halleck, -Oommander in Chief:
Your telegram of last evening is received /
must confess il coused me the greatest pain
ever experienced, for am convinced that the or
der to withdraw this army TO Aqua Creek will
prove disastrous in the extreme to cause. 1
fear it will be fatal blow. Several days are
necessary to complet the preparations for so i'm
portanr movement as this and while they are
in progress, beg that careful considerations may
be given to my statement. This army is now in
excellent discipline and condition. We hold
deoonche on both banks of the James river. so
that We are free to act in any direction. one with
the assistance of the gunboats consider our
communication as secure
We are 25 miles from Richmond. and are not
likely to meet the enemy in force sunicienf to
fight battle until we have NJ arched Is TO l8
miles, which brings us practically within 10 miles
of Richmond. Our largest line Of land trans
portation would be from this point q miles. but
army by water, during its advance. certainly TO
within IL miles of Richmond At Acauia Creek,
We wouI be IS miles from Richmond with land
transportation all the way. From here to Fort
ress Monroe is march of 20 miles, for regard
it as impracticable to withdraw this army and its
material except by land. The result of the
movement would thus be to march las niles TO
reach point now only 25 miles distant, and to
deprive ourselves entirely of the powerful aid of
i the OunhnatS and water trsnan0rtation IN
this the certain generalization of this army
which would ensue, the terribly depressing effect
upon the people Of the North and the strong
probability that it would influence foreign powers
to recognize our adversaries; and these appear to
me sufficient TO make it my imperative duty to
urge. in the strongest terms afforded by our Ian
guage, that this order be rescinded, and that far
! from-recallins this army it mas be promptly re
] inforced To enable il to resume the offensive
| 1t may be said that there are no reinorcements
available. / point to Gen. Burnside's forces, to
those OF Gen Pope, not necessary to maintain a
strict defense in front of Washington and Har-
pers Ferry; to those portions of the Army of the
West not required for strict defense there.
Here. directly in front of this army is the heart
of the rebellion. 1t is here that all our resources
should be collected to strike the blow which will
determine the fate of this nation. All points Of
secondary importance elsewhere should be aban-
doned, and every available man brought here A
decided victory here and the military strength of
the rebellion crushed. IL matters not what par
tial reverses may meet with elsewhere; here
is the true defense of Washington; 1t is here on
the banks of the James river that the fate of the
| Union should be decided
Clear in my conviction of right, strong in the
consciousness that have ever been, and still am
actuated solely by love of nv country knowing
| that no ambitious selfish motives have in1u-
enced me from the commencement OF the war. |
do now what never did in my life before
entreat that this order may be rescinded If my
counsel does not prevail, will with sad heart
obey your order to the utmost of my power de
voting to the movement-one of the UTMOST del
icacy and diIficuty-whatever skill | NAV pos
sess, and may God grant that am mistaken in
my forebOdiugs. / shall at least have the inter
nal satisfaction that'I have written and spoken
frankly. and have sought tn do the best in nv
power to arrest disaster from my country.
/ Gro. B MCCLELLAN, Maj Gen.