Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-03

God grant am mistaken in my forebodings
Il shall at least have the internal satisfaction
that have written and spoken frankly, and
have sought to DO the best IN my power TO
avert disaster from nv country.
&C. b. McCLELLAN,
.sMaior General Commanding.
Ma. Gen. III. W. HALLEcK, Lus1Fr
Major General Commanding u. s. Army"
Gen HaIleck wrote at much length to Gen.
Mcclellan. giving his reasons Tor insisting on
the removal. and urging the superiority of the
Fredericksburg base Of operations against the
rebel capital
Gen. Mcclellan at once ION the 7thI pro
ceeded TO nut in course of execution the or
der of the removal as rapidly as the condition
of the transport service would permIt-five
batteries of artillery sent on the morning of
the 9Th having taken his last available trans
port-when on the 9th he received telegram
charging him with unsatisfactory delay"
The next day the Quartermasters Depart
ment informed the General that ''if he could
cause more speedy return of the steamers
sent away,it would facilitate matters. The
charge of delay" was, however, reiterated
by telegraph on the same day from Wash
ington.
Onthe 9TH, Gen. Halleck telegraphed that
perhaps the government was mlsinformed as
to the state of the facts" In regard to the
transport facilities at Harrisons Bar.
On the l4th Gen. Mcclellan endeavored to
secure conversation by telegraph with Gen.
Halleck, who briefly replied to his first COM
municatlon and then left the Washington Of
fee without notifying his interloculor of the
fact.
The preliminary movement which had be-
gun OIL the receipt of the first orders was
now followed up by the movement of the
whole force by land and water. On the 9Th
Gen. Porter, IN the land advance, reached
Williamsburg, where he had been directed TO
halt till the whole army should have crossed
the Chickahominy. He Intercepted rebel
dispatch, however, which led him to believe
that heavy force was then massing against
Pope and at once pressed forward on his own
responsibility to Newport News, which he
reached on the 18th, .marching his corps 60
miles through most difficult country in three
DAYS.
By tho 10Th the whole army was at York
town, Newport News and Fortress Monroe.
Great credit is given to Pleasanton and Aver
iii for the manner in which they covered this
important movement.
Impressed with the gallantry, fidelity and
devotion of his army, Gen. Mcclellan on the
18th OF August, begged Gen. Hallcck, by tel
egraph, TO SAY kind word to the army,
which he might repeat in general orders
To this request no reply whatever was re-
turned.
On the 2Sd Gen. Mcclellan left in person
for Acquia, Franklin's corps having embarked
and no transports having yet been sent for
Summers corps.
The next day Gen. Mcclellan reported for
duty, and, as before, orders and information
He received from Gen. -Halleck the following
reply:
..You ask for information cannot give.
do not know where Gen. Pope is, or where
the enemy in force Is"
On the 2Sth Gen. Mcclellan was ordered
to Alexandra, whence he next day reported
For the next few days, all was confusion in
Washington, and Gen. Mcclellan was contin-
ualy telcgraphed, TO ascertain the facts and
take precautions. On the 9th, he received
news of the destruction of TaylOr's brigade
and urgently asked for cavalry to ascertain
the true state of affairs, as well as for author.
ty to use his available troops for the protec-
ton of Washington. The next day, General
Halleck telegraphed his fears of cavalry
raid in the night upon Washington" and
asked for some regular officers" to be sent
him. On the 10Th, the President telegraphed
to Gen. Mcclellan, asking for ''news general
w." The General replied that Pope must be
relieved, or the capital made safe at once, and
asked, "What are my orders and authority!
ask for nothing, but will obey whatever or.
ders you give The President replied thai
he left all to Gen. lIalleck, aided BY the coun.
sells of Gen. Mcclellan" Information wa:
now in the possession of the latter which led
him to believe the enemy to be in force in
Manassas: and as General Franklin-wher
he was pushing forward, under orders flom
Washington-had but between 10000 and
IL, 900 men, he moved that General with
great caution. The transportation was alsC
in deplorable condition. Ont 30th, Gen
Mcclellan was ordered to send artillery am
munition at once, to Cen.reville. for Pope
no instructions "a to caliber being given. Al
the ammunition that could be loaded, wa
sent. and all the force; and Gen. Mcclellan
on the 3Oth at 1880 A. NJ telegraphed: 81
can do no more; YOU now have every man o.
the Army of the Potomac, who is within my
reach" At 1890 the same night, he tcle.
graphed Il cannot express TO YOU the pair
and modification | have experienced to-day
in listening to the distant sound of the firing
of nv men. As | can be of no further ust
here, l respectfully ask that if there is pro
liability of the conflict being renewed to
morrow, may be permitted to 90 to til,
scene of battle with my staff merely TO b,
with my own men, if nothing more. They
will fight none the worse for my being Will
them. II II is not deemed best TO intiust me
with the command even OF my own army,
simply ask to be permitted 10 share their fate
on the field of battle. Please reply tonight.
No reply came till the next morning, anC
then nothing definite, but in the evening Gen
IIalleck telegraphed: lyon will retain com
mand of everything in this vicinity not TEN
porarily with Pope's army in the field. be.
of YOU to assist me in this crisis with YOU
ability and experience: am entirely tireC
out"
At midnight Gen. Mcclellan telegraphed
The occasion is grave, and demands grav,
measures. The question Is the salvation OF tn,
country To speak frankly Their,
appears TO b. total absence OF brains and
fear the total destruction of the army. shall
be up all night, and ready to obey any order
you may give me-"
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN.
On the first of September Gen. Mcclellan
went to Washington. where he was put il
command OF the detences OF Washington