Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-03
"HE.DoUARTERs ARMr OF THE PoToMAc,
"CANP NEAR HARRIsoS's LANDING, VAy-}
EfIl sAs July $50 y

letter, --.------.--.-------
"HEsDoUARTERs ARMr OF THE PoToNAc,)
"CAMP NEAR HARRIsoS's LANDING, VA,-}
EN.s -s july 4, 1se2- u y
MIR. PREsIDENT-You have been fully
Informed that the rebel army Is in our front
with the purpose Overwhelming Us by at
lacking our positions or reducing US by block
ing our river communications. | cannot but
regard our condition as critical, and ] earn
estly desire, in view OF possible contingencies.
10 lay before your Exccliency, for your pr
vate consideration, my general views concern
ing the existing state OF the rebellion, although
they do not strictly relate 10 the situation OF
this army or strictly come within the scope OF
INV official duties. These views amount to
convictions and are deeply impressed upon
my mind and heart. Our cause must never
De abandoned-it is the cause OF free institu-
tons and self-governmeni. The Constitution
and the Union must be preserved, whatever
NAV be the cost IN time, treasure and blood.
1t secession Is successful, other dissoutions are
clearly to be seen in the future. Let neither
military disaster, political faction nor foreign
war shake your settled purpose to enforce the
equal operation of the laws OF the United
States upon the people OF every State.
The time has come when the government
must determine upon civil and military pol
lev covering the whole ground OF our national
trouble. The responsibility of determining,
declaring and supporting such civil and mill
tary policy, and OF directing the whole course
of national affairs in regard to the rebellion
must not be assumed and exercised by you or
our cause viii be lost. The Constitution gives
You power sufficient even for the present ter
rible contingency.
This rebellion has assumed the character
of war; as such it should be regarded, and it
should be conducted upon the highest princi-
pies known to Christian civilization. 1t should
not be war looking to the subjugation of the
people OF any State IN any event. 1t should
not be war upon population, but against
armed forces and political organization.
Neither confiscation OF property, political
executions OF persons, territorial organlza-
tons OF States, or iorcible abolition Of slavery
should be contemplated for moment. In
prosecuting the war all private property and
unai1ned persons should be strictly protected,
subject only to the necessity OF military ope-
rations. All private property taken for mill
tary use should be paid or receiptcd for pill
lagc and waste should be treated as high
crimes; all unnecessary trespaSs stcrnly plo-
hibitcd, and offensive demeanor by the mill
tary toward citizens promptly rebuked. Mil
itary arrests should not be tolerated except in
places where active hostilities exist, and oaths,
not required by enactments constltutlonally
made. should be neither demanded or receiv-
ed. Military government should be confined
to the preservation of public order and the
projection of political rights. Military power
should not be allowed to interfere with the
relations of servitude, either by supporting or
impairing the authority of the master, except
for depressing disorder, rs in other cases.
Slaves con,raband under the act of Congress,
seeking military protection, should receive it,
The right of the government to appropriate
permanently to Its own service claims of slave
labor should be asserted, and the right of the
owner TO compensation therefor should be re-
cognized.
This principle might be extended upon
grounds of military necessity and security to
all the slaves within a particular State, thus
working manumission in such State; and
in Missouri, perhaps in Western Virginia
also, and possibly even in Maryland, the ex-
pediency of such measure is only question
of time
"A system of policy thus constitu tional and
conservative, and pervaded by the influences
of Christianity and freedom, would receive
the support OF almost all truly loyal men,
would deeply impress the rebel masses and all
foreign nations, and it might be humbly hoped
that it would commend itself in the favor of
the Almighty.
"Unless the principles governing the future
conduct of our struggle shall be made known
and approved, the effort to obtain requisite
forces will be almost hopeless. A declaration
of radical views, especially upon slavery, will
rapidly disintegrate on" present armies.
1.-The policy OF the government must be
supported by concentrations of military pow
err The national forces should not be dis
persed in expeditions, posts OF occupation and
numerous armies; but should be mainly col
lected into masses 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 COM
mandcr-in-chef of the anny-one who pos
sesSes your confidence, understands your
views, and who is competent to execute your
orders BY directing the military forces OF the
nation to the accomplishment OF the objects
w NOu piOpOStu. to iiot tsch 'hdt lfttNe tVi
myself. | am willing to serve YOU in such
position as you may assign me. and Will do
so >as faithfully as ever subordinate served
superior.
Il may be on the brink of eternity, and, as
l hope forgiveness from my Maker, ! have
written this letter with sincerity toward YOU,
and from love for my country
very respectfully,
Your obedient servant"
On the 18th, Gen. Mcclellan telegraphed:
1--WE are very strong here now, so tar n
defence is concerned. Hope you will soon
make us strong enough to advance and try it
again. All in fine spirits
From this date TO the 30th, constant appeals
for sufficient force TO assume the offensive
were made by Gen. Mcclellan to the Presi-
dent and to Gen. Haleck In the night of
August LIST an attempt OF the enemy, with
artillery, upon the south bank of the James
was signally repulsed.
On the day previous Gen. Halleck tele-
graphcd report from Gen. Pope that the
enemy were evacua'ing Richmond and or
dered Gen. Mcclellan TO send away his sick
an order which was interpreted by that Gen.
eral to Indicate preparations for his resuming
the offensive.
On the 4th Gen. Hooker defeated the ene-
my and occupied Malvern Hill. and The next
day Gen. Mcclellan tclegraphed: "My troops