Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-10-06
same time sit down and deliberately write

public. A call was made for them In the
House Of Representatives, and was tabled
by the Republican party. A request made
by the recorder of that council, of Mr..
Stanton to allow him to have the proceed,
ings made up In proper form, was refused
in a most rude and Insulting manner, and
the papers have never been allowed to leave
his possession since. ,
Now, Judge, tor your especial benefit l
will relate the history of that important
event, that you may, if you will, do justice
to all concerned. "I D.. Lu.
The council of war consisted of Brigader
Generals Sumner, Mcdowell, Franklin, +.
j. Porter, Mccall, Heintzelman, keyes, A.
Porter, w. +. Smith, Barnard, Blenker and
Naglee each entitled to but tone star" IL
was called together by order of General
Mcclellan, on the night of March 2, 1862,
to convene at ten A. M. on the following
day. r......'..... ..,r =,
General Mcclellan came into the council
room at the hour appointed, and, placing on
the table large map, explained his pro-
posed Peninsular campaign, which, before
this time, / believe to have been known to
no one present excepting General Frank
lin, and probably Fitz j. Porter. Upon re-
firing he lett upon the table, for the consid-
Grafton of the council, the following in-
quiries:
l. Whetherit is advisable that the base of
operations shall be changed, the transport
alton being ready at Annapolis in all OF
next week? ...r ..a... .r.
2. Whether it is better to make an ad-
vance to the front before changing the
base, should such change be determined
upon?
3. Whether a forward movement, with
the object of destroying the river batteries,
is advisable, and when it can be commenced,
and whether the naval force, with the as
sistance of the Ericsson battery, can alone
accomplish that object? . ....... ....,.
After a session of three hours the council
were summoned to appear before the Presi-
dent. He advised them that he was quite
unwell and exceedingly nervous; that the
pressure had been intense against General
Mcclellan. He expressed himself gratified
TO have the opportunity to see and know
the officers of the army, and to be instruct
ed by them in regard to army matters,
which were to him very Incompetent
sible. .L.... ............. ........
] informed him that, as recorder Of the
council of war which held its session by
order of General Mcclellan. would advise
him Of the result Of its PySs PrGceeaingsS H5iS ana Inc
shave the council decided by vote of
eight to four-two to one-in favor of the
Peninsular campaign?" He then asked
many questions in regard to the same, until
Mr.. Stanton came in, and | proposed to
read the proceedings to him. He replied,
"Give me the papers, I'll read them my
self" and after reading them over and pre-
| pairing his notes, he, as you say, 'put them
| (the counciD through the strict course OF
examination" which you refer to. This ex-
animation, made for the purpose OF neu-
tralizing the effect of the decision of the
council of war on the mind of the Presi-
dent, and thus carry out the objects of those
who had been insisting upon the removal
five hours, during which time it was only
interrupted by an occasional expression o
the President, indicating his satisfaction
and qualification at the many explanation
of military movements contemplated. anC
which he had not before been able to com
prehend. i'..
1t was now getting dark. Mr.. Stanton
questions indicated approaching eXhaus
ton, and finding there was silence whicl
called for a cessation of hostilites on his par
for the night, Mr.. Lincoln expressed him
self highly gratified with the interview
said he was impressed with the earnestnes
and intelligence of the officers. present. anc
that he had every confidence in them. Ill
Mcclellan, as he had promised to do, bu
that he should make his campaign, as ap
proved by the council of war, under re
strietions, which he would make known OIL
the following morning, at ten o'clock, whei
he desired the presence of all the officers o
the council, and until after which time h
desired that none of them should leave th'
city. I9Jo.
Eri Before leaving the President the recorde
of the council approached the Secretary
and said-'If you please, Mr.. Stanton, per
nit me to have the proceedings of the cOun-
Gil of war, that they may be copied in fail
hand, and General Sumner, the president O
the council, will sign them, the recorder
win sign them, and they will then be in
proper form."' 'Tm just as good judge
of the form as You are" was the reply o
your friend. ,
Other incivilities have been attempted by
Mr.. Stanton towards me, the manner anC
result of which he has neither forgotten no
forgiven, and which he may relate to yOl
whenever he may feel so disposed.
On the following morning, at heappoint
ed hour, when all of the officers of TIN
council OF war had assembled, Mr.. Lincoln
said:-'I have slept better than for tw'
weeks. feel relieved of an immense re
sponsibility. have determined upon th'
following programme" which he submitted
verbally, and which was substantially a
follows: t'-''
TFvI will permit General Mcclellan to carry
out his campaign. He shall leave sufficien
force to defend the works before Washing
ton. He shall embark fifty thousand mel
from Annapolis; and then, unless the bat
teries on the Potomac, which you assur
me will necessarily be abandoned, are with
drawn or silenced, shall reserve my au
thority to embark other troops" He thel
said, ~ have determined to divide Genera
McClellan's army into four corps, and
shall appoint the commanders, of them.
And afterwards he promoted the four officer
who had opposed General McClellan's cam
paiRn, three of whom he appointed to tn
command of corps, and, with the exception
of Generals Franklin and Smith, who hav
been the subjects of constant annoyance
and indignities since, the others have al
been dismissed from the army. ss,,.....
ThePeninsular campaign was proposed b,
| General Mcclellan whilst Commahdcr-in
Chief of the armies of the United States
and was intended to be made with the force
then under his command in Eastern Vir
ginia, estimated at over two hundred thous
and men. 1t was so accepted by the Presi
dent, and the movement was commences
upon that basis. General Mcclellan hai
scarcelyleft Washington to take the fielt
rwhen the Secretary OF War relieved him Q
all theiarmies not under his General Nc
li Clellan's) immediate command and assumes
command OF them himself. The troops LEI
i'm Northeastern Virginia were placed unde
the command of Mcdowell, Banks, Fremon
and, Sigel, each being independent, of tn
other and, of General Mcclellan. and al