The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-10-20
MocLELLAN'~ MILITARY CAREER.

mcCLELLAN'S mILffAAL CANEEh.
We publish on our first page Hon,
Ben. Wadc's view of McCfellan's mill
tary failures. Senator Wado was one
Of the Committee on the Conduct Of
the War, and had every opportunity
to know the inside history of affairs
and movements. The testimony of
McClellan's best corps commander is
against him. Gen. Hooker testified
before the Committee that the failure
ofthe Peninsular campaign was due to
tho " Incompetence of the Comman-
der-in Chief" Phil Kearncy said on
tho battle field that the order TO re-
treat from Malvern Hill was prompt
cd either by coudrdice or treason
Gen, Summers testimony is also
against the "young Napoleon" as is
that Of nearly every fighting General
in the army. Fitz John Porter, how
ever. who was cashiered and dismissed
for treason, clung to Mcclellan.
Whatever may DO said about Nc
Clcllan it must be admitted both by
his friends and foes, that ho is n great
failure as military man. There is y
cause for this failurA, and the testi-
mony is overwhelming that it is duo
to Incompetence and timidity, il not
to downright cowardico. Moreover,
there arc hundreds Of people who
honestly believe that Mcclellan is a
traitor, and that he never desired the
suppression Of tho rebellion by war.
One thing his subsequent history has
shown, viz: that he has from the first
been under the influence Of aud in
sympathy with the party which has
opposed the war, and Sympati,izcd
with the robels.
We stuck to Gen Mcclellan until
he wrote Ills Woodward letter last fall
We believed that Mcclellan failed or
the PcRinsula because tho President
withdrew Mcdowell, and allowed
Stoncwnll jackson TO come down lik,
ihundcrboIt and turn Mcclellan
right, driving him back TO the James
Bat the testimony, not only OF Nc
CIcllan's officers, bnt of all the rebe
officers and journals, is toe. strong tc
be gainsayed, that the brave men un
der him, cut the rebel army to pieces al
Malvern Hill, and might have marched
into Richmond almost without oppo
sition. But Mcclellan sat on gun
boat, with his wine and cigars, Will,
his brave men wcro winning a victory
and when they expected 10 grasp thu
fruits Of it, he came ashore and ordered
retreat. Then Gen. Kearncy, will
tears OF chagrin and modification il
his eyes, declared that the order coulc
only be prompted by cowdrdicc O
tredSon"
The people well rcmcm Der how thv
patient and long uifering Prcsidcn
stood ont for year against the impor
tunitics Of his friends to remove Nc
| Clellan,--how he pettcd and patted
an Il coaxed and threatened, and urgeC
and oxpostulatcd, and argued ant
questioned, aud hoped and prayed
until the people and our relations will
the outside world, absolutely demand
ed his removal. And we can nov
thank Heaven that the President diC
remove him, though for long tim,
we desired his re,appointmcnt. The
after judgment and the fighting o
Grant and Sherman, have shown II!
rs well rs thousands of others, how
utterly lacking Mcclellan Is in th,
qualities Of II groat Captain.
ltis these qualities, and this peace
able mode of fighting, which procurcc
him the nomination ut the hands o
the peace .and.submission Convention
They expect TO use him TO help th
South to independence. They know
that If he failed as Major General, h
must fail as Commanderin-chi o
all the armies of the United States -
His manner Of fighting tho rebellion
they know from fifteen months obscr
walton, and they are certain that
placed in command, he vii! continu
the same style Of war
The American people, who trustee
Gen. Mcclellan for fifteen months ant
wero bitterly disappointed, canno
trust him again
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