The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-07-29
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING,

poor condition to enter upon renewal OF
the severe contests of the previous four days.
Affairs looked serious. and there were too
many strdgglers going 10 the rear.
About this time observed General Nc
Clellan, with the Prince do Joinville, the
Due dc Chartrcs, tho Compte de Paris, and
several other members of the staff, riding
out of tho inclosurc. The party took their
way to the loft down tho hill, and dissap-
peared. along the shurt, winding road lead
ing to the landing. The masts Of two or
three gun-boats were observed above tho tops
OF the trees skirting the valley of tho river,
and about two and half miles distant.
This must have been about 3 l.2 o'clock
Pm. Some two and half hours later,
proceeded from the landing on board the
gun.boat Jacob Bell, in company with q
member of General McClellan's stall, to con-
vey written message from General Marcy,
the chief OF the staff Tho sun was now
nearly set. being Just visible above the trees
which lined the river. The gun-boats, dur
ing the hour previous, had been throwing
shells to the left Of our line, for the purpose
OF checking the advance of the enemy upon
our flank. The contest at this time seemed
to have reached its climax. Tho air was lit
orally full of exploding-shells, and q dense
volume OF dust and smoke cnvcloped the
battlefield Unless | read the countenances
Of officers and men greatly wrong, general
impression prevailed that tho condition OF
the army was critical-that it might be
forced to surrender.
On the deck OF the Jacob Bell I noticed
Gen. Mcclellan sitting near the pilot-house,
in company with the Prince de Joinvile and
his nephcws, enjoying n glass of champagne.
II was refreshing to pic,p, il was cool and
sparkled. it was moist and inviting to look
upon Shall get an invitation to drink,
wonder? And shall !, dusty, out of all toi.
let, and covered with pcrspration, drink-il
| should be cinvitcd--with so disiinyuea a party.
Gen. Mcclellan read the message from
Gen: Marcy, which, Us near as l can recol
lcct, stated that the cncmy's advance had
been checked, and there was every prospect
that our forces would be able to hold their
position. Tho message was hopeful, and
evidently intended to rcassure the General
touching the position of tho army. The
effect of the message was almost magical up
on the General. lilo Immediately rose up as
ir great weight, had been lifted from his
shoulders, and remarked, at is all right
or at will 10 all right" and he seemed
greatly relieved in mind. In n few minutes
he shook hands with the Prince dc Joinyillc
and the other late members of his stalf. say
inc, III will write you all about this cam
paign by-anl-by."
The crew OF tho steamer chcercd him q,
he left in the boat. Judge, from all the
circumstances, that tho General must have
been on board tho Jacob Bell from one t.
two hours during this engagement. During
hisabsence, heard that thcrc were frequent
and earnest inquiries for him, and that til,
officers generally were in doubt where he was
The reader, who has heard so much of thC
"masterly retreat" and the fame of him who
conducted it, will naturally wonder ut thu
position of the Commanding General during
those pcrilou, marches. Perhaps that won
der will abatc somewhat on learning Of thu
we'll developed facts that Mcclellan had NOR,
to do with his own safe retreat than he haC
with that of his army. Why all the diSor
der of the army, the utter confusion of corp
and division commanders, each man fighting
on his own hook? What a spectacle for th'
"grcatest military genius Of this or any
other age" to be crouching under the pro
lection of the gunboats, enjoying his cham
pagne, while in the distance his army were
fighting without q leader, and fighting at the
most critical period of the retreat!