The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1864-01-06
The Potomac ALmy--G en-. Nc
ClciiaU's Policy.

SEcatNus I0hCy.
We think it not inopportune to pub
lish the following letter from Genera
Mcclellan TO Gen. Halleck, dated
August 4, 1862. Had his protest
been regarded at that time and his
suggestions needed, Richmond would
have been in our possession more than
year ago, and thus the whole face
of things changed. But fanaticisn
ruled the hour, and Mcclellan did not
suit the mad fanatics, and hence he
must be deposed, though by so doing
thousands of lives and hundreds
of millions of money should be lost
Mcclellan was deposcd, and what has
sinbe occurred fully demonstrates the
wickedness of the act:
BERELEY, VA,
Aug. 4, II, NJ.
Major General Haleck, Commander
in, chief:
Your telegram of last evening is
received. | must confess it caused
me the greatest pain / ever Oxperien-
ced, for am convinced that the order
to withdraw this army to Acquia
creek will prove disastrous in the ex-
trsme to our cause. | fear it will be
fatal blow. Several days are neces
sary to complete the preparation for
so important movement as this, and
while they are in progress, | beg that
careful consideration may be given to
my statement. This army is now in
excellent discipline and condition. We
hold debouch on both banks of the
James river, so that We are free to act
in any direction, and with the assis-
tance Of the gunboats, l consider our
communication as secure.
We are 25 miles from Richmond,
and are not likely to meet the enemy
in force sufficient to fight battle un-
til we have marched Is to 18 miles,
which brings us practically within 10
miles of Richmond. Our largest line
of land transportation would he from
this point 25 miles, but by the aid of
the gunboats we can supply the army
by water, during its advance, certain
ly to within II miles Of Richmond :
At Acquai Greek, we would c IS
miles from Richmond, with land trans
portation all the way. From here to
Fortress Monroe is a march of 70
miles, for l regard it as impracticable
to Withdraw this army and its material
except by land. The result of the
movement would thus lie to march 145
miles to reach point now only 25
miles distant, and to deprive ourselves
entirely of the powerful aid of the
gunboats and water transportation
Add to 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 for
eign powers to recognize our adversa-
ries; and these appear to me sufficient
to make it my imperative duty..to urge,
in the strongest terms afforded by our
language, that this order be recinded,
and that far from recalling this army
it may be promptly reinforced to ena-
bic it to resume the offensive.
1t may be said that there are no re
Inducements available. / point to
Gen. Burnside's forces, to those OF
Gen. Pope, not necessary to maintain
strict defense in front of Washington
and Harper's Ferry; to those portions
of the Army of the West not required
for strict defense there. Here, di.
rectly 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 deter
II inc the fate of this nation. AL
points of secondary Importance else
where should be abandoned, and every
a?ailable man brought here. A deci'
ded victory here and the military
strength Of the rebellion is crushed
1t matters not what partial reve.ses
we may meet with elsewhere; here is
the true defense of Washington; it j;
here oe the banks of the james rivel
that the fate of the Union should sbt
decided. ,.-
Clear in my conviction of right
strong in the consciousness that I have
ever been, and still am actuated sole
|ly by love Of my country, knowing
that no ambitious or selfish motives
have influenced me from the commence
ment of the war, / do now what i
never did in my life before. I entrea
that this order may be recinded. i
my counsel does not prevail, ! viii
with o sad heart obey your order t'
the utmost Of my power, devotlng t
the movemcnt--one Of the utmost del
icacy and difficulty--whatever skill
may possess, and may God grant tina
I may be mistaken in my forebodings
I shall at least have the internal sat
isfaction that I have written and spo
ken frankly, and have sought to d.
1.-THE best in my power to arrest disaste
from my country. p s.. ~ Sie!--
ID GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,