Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-07

political executions OF persons territorial of
States orcbe abolition Of slavery should be- contem-
plated for moment La prosecuting the all private
property and unarmed persons should be strictly
subject only to the necessity Of military operations All
private property taken for military should be paid
receiped for page and waste should be treated high
crimes all trespass sterny prohibited and
offensive demeauor by the military toward citizens promptly
rebuked Military arrests should not be tolerated except
in places where active hostles exist and oaths re-
CURED by enactments consitutionay made should DO
| neither demanded received Military government
should be confined to the preservation of public order and
the protection of political rights Military power should
not be allowed to interfere with the relations of seryitude
either by supporting impairing the authority of the
master except for depressing disorder in other
Slaves cOntrabaud under the act OF Congress- seeking
military protection should receive it, The right of the
Government to appropriate permanently to its
vice claims of slave labor should be asserted aud the right
OF the to compensation therefor should be recOg
nsed This principle might be extended upon grounds
OF military necessity and security to all the slaves within
particular State thus working manumssion in such State
aud in Missouri, perhaps in Western Virginia also, and
possibly in Maryland the expediency Of such mea-
| sure is only question of time.
"A system of policy thus constitutional and conserva
tive and peryaded by the influences of Christianity aud
freedom would receive the support of almost all truly
loyal men, would deeply impress the rebel and all
foreign nations, and might be humbly hoped that
would commend itself to the favor of the Almighty.
Unless the principles governing the future conduct of
struggle shall be made known and approved the effort
TO obtain requisite forces will be almost hopeless de-
claraton of radical views especially upon slavery, will
rapidly dsntegrate our present armies
" The policy OF the Government must be supported by
concentration Of military power. The national forces
should not be dispersed in expeditions posts of Occupa
ton and armies but should be mainly collected
into and brought to bear upon the armies of the
Confederate States Those armies thoroughly defeated
the political structure which they support would soon
cease to exist.
In carrying out any system of policy which you may
form you will require commander-n-chlef OF the army
one who possesses your confidence, understands your
views and competent to execute your orders BY direct
ing the military forces of the nation to the accomplishment
of the objects by proposed do not ask that place
for myself am willing to you in such position
as you may assign me- and will do faithfully
subordinate served superior.
!. may be on the brink of eternity and, hope for
gveness from my Maker have written this letter with
sincerity toward you and from love for my country"
Early in August the army ordered to leave Harr-
sons Landing James river contrary to the opinion of
Gen Mcclellan that the road to Richmond by way of
the Peninsula On that occasion he addressed Gen Hal
eck the following remarkable letter under date of Berke
ley, (Va.) August 4th:
sYour telegram of last evening is received mnst
ess it caused the greatest pain ever experienced for
am convinced that the order to wthdI this army to
AQUA creek will prove disastrous in the extreme to
cause. fear it will be fatal blow Several days
necessary to complete the preparations for important
movement as this and, while they progress, beg
that careful consideration may be given to my statement
"Ths army is in excellent discipline and condition
We hold debouche on both banks OF the James river so
that free to act in any direction and with the
sistance of the gunboat consider communication
secure We twenty-five miles from Richmond and
not likely to meet the enemy in force sufficient to fight
battle until we have reached fifteen to eighteen miles,
which brings practically within ton mics OF Richmond
Our largest line Of land transportation would be from this
point twenty FIVE miles but by the aid of the gunboats
supply the army by water during It's ADVANCE certain
ly to within twelve miles of Richmond At Aqua creek
would be seventy-fve miles from Richmond, with land
transportation all the From here to Fortress Mon
is oh of seventy miles, for regard 1t mprac
tcabe to withdraw this army and its material except by
land The result of the would thus be to march
hundred sud fortyfve miles to reach point only
twenty-five miles distant aud to deprive entire
of the powerful aid of the guDboas and water transp0r
taon Add 10 this the certain Generalization of this
my which would ensue the terribly depressing effect upon
the people of the North and the strong probability that it
would influence foreign Powers to recognise adversa
RES and these appear to sufficient to make it
my imperative duty urge in the strongest terms afford
ed by language that this order be rescnded and that
reain9 tbs it y be prose- .iy r-nforc
ed, TO enable ii to resume the offensive
1t may be said that there reinforcements avail
able point to Gen Burnsdes forces, to those Of Gen.
Pope not necessary maintain strict defence in front
of Washington and Hapers Ferry; to those portions of
the army of the West not required for strict defence
there Here directly in front of this army is the heart of
the rebellion. 1t is here that all should be
collected to strike the blow which will determine the fate
of this nation All points of secondary Importance else
where should be abandoned and every available \
brought here. decided victory here and the military
strength of the rebellion crushed 1t matters not what
partial may meet with elsewhere here is the
defence of Washington it s here the banks of the
james that the fate of the Union should be decided
Clear in my conviction Of right strong the concous
that have been and still actuaed solely by
love Of my country knowing that ambitious selfish
motives have influenced from the commencement Of
this war; do now what 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 devotng to the movement
OF the utmost deIcacy and difficulty, whatever skill may
possess; and may God grant that am mistaken in my
orebodngs shall at least have the internal satisfaction
that have written and spoken frankly and have sought
to do the best in my power to arrest disaster from my
country"
psgn of Pope is graphically described.
September 2, the President directed Gen. Mcclellan TO
take command Of his and Gen. Pope's armies and
find the enemy On the 18th Of September Antietam
fought South Mountain and Champions Gap having been
already by Not single gun color lost by
us 10 these battles, and total loss in at Anetam
is stated by Gen. Mcclellan at 12,469.
The advance into Virginia after Antietam is related, |
with account Of the by which that advance
delayed. On the night Of November 7th Gen Mcclellan
relieved, and the command transferred to General
Burnside.
Gen. Mcclellan thus describes bis report:
Ths report is in fact the history of the army Of the
Potomac During the period occupied in the organization
Of that army served barrier against the advance Of
lately victorious enemy while the fortfcaton Of the
capital in progress and under the discipline which it
then received 1t acquired strength education and
of that which necessary in active
operations and which enabled aerward to sustain itse
under circumstances trying 10 the most heroic FIRE.