Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-31
1 mos X endnln ON the Cr'sis->ecOnd
Series-Letter seventh.

MCMILLAN AND GRASr-wHY MCCLELLAN DID NOT
TAKE RIcnxoSDN ls62-THE CONSEQUENCES.
To every American Citizen who longs for a
speedy restoration Of peace liberty, aud the
Union:
The writer Of these letters has been too much
Interested in the tragic scenes which have illus
frated the last two weeks to pursue his unwe-
come theme, and doubtless his readers have been
as little inclined to read as he to write Instead
of at present following his proposed order of dis
cussion. let consider passing scenes in their
relation to the past.
In 1862 when General Mcclellan was before
Richmond with the army of the Potomac. there
were five Major Generals in the State of Virginia
with separate commands, viz: Mcclellan before
Richmond. Wool at Fortress Monroe. Mcdowell
at Fredericksburg, Banks in the Shenandoah
Valley, and Fremont in Western Virginia The
President himself and Secretary of War gave
orders direct to each of these generals, constant
" interfering with their plans, and especially
those Of General Mcclellan.
The number and description Of troops neces-
sary. in that Generals opinion, for the capture
of Richmond, had been definitely fixed upon ap-
parently with their approval But when he was
about to start, the President took from him
10000 men Of those troops. Blenker's division.
for the purpose of increasing the Command of
General Fremont. Before he left Washington
he had been authorized to draw 10 900 men from
Fortress Monroe TO aid him in his enterprise.
The day after his arrival at that post, that au-
thority Withdrawn from him. Thus before
he advanced upon Rchm md. he was deprived of
10000 men of his contemplated force.
General Mcclellan believed that with the aid
Of McDowells corps OF IS. 900 men, he was still
strong enough TO take the rebel capital. He
fought his way to its very gates and Mcdowell
was on the point of joining him. when he too
was ordered upon other service and the rebel
capital was saved,
Now, who can doubt that if Mcclellan had
been ALLOW ed to retain these Sd 900 men, and 10
manage the campaign in his own way, even with
out the power to order achievements which
Grant now possesses, Richmond ,r0uid then hare
been taken and the rebellion driven further South,
perhaps entirely suppressed Who then is re-
sponsible for the subsequent calamities and the
indefinite prolongation of the war; Who is re-
sponsible for the awful consequences of thus de
prlying Mcclellan OF the force deemed BY him
necessary for the capture of Richmond? Who
is responsible
For the blood of Malvern Hill and other fields
during McClellan's retirement TO Harrison's
Landings
For the blood Of the second defeat at Bull
RUM
For the blood OF Antietam!
For the blood Of Fredercksburgl
For the blood of Chancelorsvileg
For the blood OF Gettysburgg
For the blood that is now flowing IN rivers be
tween Fredericksburg and Richmondg
Yes. who shall answer for all this carnage
when God "maketh nquisition for bloodg'' Not.
surely, Gen. Mcclellan. who would have pre-
vented il. had he been let alone. And the JOY
that now animates every loyal heart hearing
the sounds of victory from the Army OF the Po
tomac. is saddened by the reflection that the
blood which il costs is a sacrifice made necessary
by military and political jealousy. now intensi-
fed into personal hatred. which apparently would
rather the Union perish than that General
Mcclellan should, in subordinate command.
aid Gen. Grant in saving il.
AMOS KENDALL.
May 20. 1864