Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-03-12

We have, for long time, been under
the impression that Gen. Geo. B. McClel.
Ian WAS the worst abused man in the
United States. We have often, when liz
tsaing to the malignant assaults Of his
enemies, thought Of letter written At
White Oak Swamp during those sanguinay
conflicts, BY Mr.. Samuel Wilkinkson, the
regular correspondent Of the New York
Tribune, and who, at this time, is holding
a responsible position under the Govern
meut
Mr. Wilkinson has never retracted one
syllable of this letter, and the tact is, the
statements by him made 60 far towards
strengthening the recently disentombe
report Of Gen. tombed,
because the report, for some reason, has
been immured for long months from public
inspection:
On THE MARCH THROUGH
WHITE OAK SWAMP, June 26, 1862
Outnumbered aud surrounded, liable at
any moment be cut off from our base of
supplies, aud to have Cur possession Of
the York River Railroad wrenched from
our grasp, Mcclellan came out at star.
rising from the fight in which he had
shared the perils of the common soldier,
with Napoleonic conception of the only
salvation for his army from annihilation
from fire, or loss by capture He ordered
that new roads be instantly cut through
the swamp that separates US from the
Charles City highway, and communicate ed
to his Generals his purpose to change bis
base by q rapid movement to the James
River.
We march now through White Oak
Swamp, to change the bsse Of the great
army-doomed where ii was, and having
now but little grace of delay accorded to
it BY an active and brave enemy, numer
Gus enough TO encircle US at any point
and to outnumber us at a!l The move
ment is bold, soldier.like and brilliant,
but eminently hazardous. 1t was made
by the light of the burning of every one
of the bridges which he had so painfully
thrown over the Chickahominy and within
hearing Of the destruction by our hands,
Of the railroad which gave Us supplies and
was to secure US retreat. The movement
will probably be successful, though its
trial will be bloody. The world will re.
gard it as a mastery stroke of genius
The army will so regard it, and feel for its
commander the admiration and gratitude
that saviors Of men ever enkindle in loyal
hearts.
But the briiliancy OF the movement will
not for an instant dazzle the eyes of the
wronged and wrath.nl men of the Army
Of the Potomac, nor will it dazz,e the
sight Of the angry people so far as for a
moment to obscure their PERCEPTION of
the crime against the nation, whtcA has
made the change Of base necessary. THE
CRIME is TIE REFUSAL TO REINFORCE Nc
CLELLAS. don't care about the question
which Legislators, soldiers and polti
clans have debated--of this Generals fit.
ness to com nand. The York and James
river Pcninsnia was not the place for that
discussion. The hour Of the junction of
Bcaaregard's and Jacksons forces to
those OF Johnston Is not the time for dc.
bate. | care not for any criticism Of Gen.
Mcclellan campaign on this Peninsula
OF on the Potomac have blows, but
not a word for the un,imely casuist, in or
GU. of the administrative office, who, under
the the roar Of rebel cannon, sweeping
our ranks with shot and she'll, meets the
demand for aid to this army with chro-
biological measure of delays at Fortress
Monroe, ut Yorktown, at Williamsburg, at
Seven Pines. don't care whether they
al Iala Al,
were McClellsn's delays, the Quar,ermas.
ter's delays or the delays of the elements!
No man, no party, no interest, shall,
with my consent or my silence. be per-
mtted to mix up with the sacred right Of
an outnunbered American army to 70
mand hep from their countrymeu and to
promptly receive it, collateral questions Of
fitness, of vigor, Of fidelity. When loyal
New York regiments, lifted from their
feet 10y the fire OF rebel brisades, cry out
OF their wounds aud death for help-wheu
the choicest Of New England, and Michi.
gan, and Pennsy lvania troops, ou,num-
bered in front, on both tanks and by
whole divisions of the enemy, beg for re-
Inducements, / say that the blacklist
crime that power eau commit is to stalk
upon the field of peril and say: Soldiers,
| have no faith in your commander; let
your martyrdom proceed. And it regis.
tiers to night vows Of vengeance as it
marches in the dark from position which
their diminished numbers disabled them
from holding, but which is consecra.ed to
them forever by their snfferings, their
labors and their wrongs. The polite ians
and statesmen who LETT US here to be out.
numbered and Gu, off from our supplies
aud the possibility Of retreat are doomed
men. W.