The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-09-28
Why Mcclellan was Superseded.


neglecting or refusing TO obey his per
emptory arder 10 commence active opera
tions wit the Army OF tie Potomac o..
the 22i i February, 1862, and also il
writing II impertlnent and disrespectfu
letter TO the President while comman,lin
that ar y. making base charges agains
him of Siltul mismdnagement
Because he vas lusubori: late = his
superior office. ~" "onS';-atio~r' head
of the War Department, Seer, ta~v
Stanton, in refusing or neglecting TO obey
Dtu - - - make reports to him. and
'howing his contempt for the Depart
ut by reporting dire tly to the Presi-
tent. thus leaving tha War Department
IN entire ignorance Of all his operations
Because he lost seven months of the
iost valuable time in the history of the
var IN more prepa rations. which even at
ne end of the time asked for he alleged
- he incom"lete, and because even then
he was unable or unwilling to move until
forced to do so by peremptory orders. al
touga otner scArrai> in the West ani
~outn moved promptly and gained victo-
.pS
Because he never at any time made
my military movements until compelled
II do 50 by superior authority. ami whon
he did so his movements were slow, di,a-
tory, Ill timed and evidently reluctant as
though his heart were not in the cause
Because he Systematically exaggerated
He rebel strength. stating them at o00,-
900. when rebel official accounts prove
them to have had no more than 10000;
and all this alleged to rest upon informa-
ton derived from spies Because in
like manner he magnified their def noes.
making the quaker guns and skeleton
force at Munson's Hill formidable bat
terry. backed by an enormous strength
And so at \ orktown, wasting month IN
oeSieoing with l30. 900 men place de
ended by only 5000.
Because he suffered his whole position
refore Richmond to he taken in reverse
~ single corps of the enemy, and or
Tered retreat without any cause what
ver, when he could have rep1lsed the
nemy and held his works.
Because by this disastrous retreat he
lost the labors of whole campaign, sac
riticed one third Of his army, and infused
new life into the rebellion. apparently
with view to throw odium on the Ad-
ninistration for refusing to send him
Mcdowell : corps, when his army was so
large as to be unwieldly in his hands, and
his movements too tardy to be effective.
Because he availed himself of this re
fusal and of every other difference he
had with the War Department or the
President, to disseminate a sentiment
that he had been unjustly dealt with. and
that the Administration was jealous of
him
Because whenevera battle occurred in
which his forces We're engaged, he was
Uniformly away from the field, and never,
until antfetam, saw the action, or di-
'ected in any way whatever beyond the
nerest original directions for placing
.orps. so that in case of disaster he was
Iot on hand 10 remedy it, and his corps
commanders had to manage for them
selves
Because he omitted two great opportu-
mites Of taking Richmond. when he
could have done so with ease. that is,
after the battle of Fair Oaks. AMI after
the victory at Malvern Hill, thus indica-
ting an incompetency TO improve an al
vantage, which was more signaliy ex-
hibited after the victory of Antietam.
Because after he had ronted the rebel
army at Malvean Hill he ordered dis
astrous retreat, leaving his wounded in
the enemy hands and demoralizing our
army when it had restored its prestige
Because after Antietam he represented
that his army could not move for want of
shoes. DE. when Burnside took the same
army and moved it with the greatest ceier-
ity. showing that Mcclellan sought to
throw upon his army the burden of his
own in disposition 10 tight
Because he was intent, not upon the
crushing of the rebellion, but upon
political campaign for the Presidency,
which distracted his attention, weekend
his military policy, gave aid anil comfort
to the enemy, strengthened the copper
heads, and antagonized the national Adj
ministration so that instead Of being the
general in chief in a war against the
rebels, he was merely copperhead can
,iidate for the Presidency.
Because he surrounded himself with
copperhecd traitors, opposed to the war
and in sympathy with the enemy. who
conducted his affairs to suit themselves.
influencing his letters and policy. and so
rendering it impossible tor the Admins
tration to carry ont its own views. al
though responsible for the management Of
affairs.
Because he had tampered with the SEN
timent of the Army of Potomac. making
il mere personal machine, devoted to
himself, and willing to serve under no
generals except of his choosing. instead
of serving under the national flag and
without regard to men; his object in
such course being evidently to prevent
The government from removing him for
Incompetence or Furnishing any Of his
insolent satellites, like Porter
Because, instead of doing anything to
crush the rebellion, his letters and orders
showed that his whole mind was turned
upon giving lessons in political matters
upon general policy and civil affairs 20
President Lincoln. Generals Buell. and
Halleck. and in fact sll within his reach.
Thus. instead of telling Halleck when to
attack the foe and where. he was anxious
only that the war should be conducted on