Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-08

IN tue CITY OF w washington. lamps OF 1nStruc-
ton were located and filed with the new
levies; fOrtifications were pushed forward un-
der systematic plan.
BY the 18th of October the number of
troops in and about Washington was as fol-
lows
Present Tor duty -.-.............-.. .l33 2nl
Sick. k....-............. ............. 9.29U
In confinement ........-.- ....-... lob
Total. ...................... .l43,647
Making. with absent troops. ........... S.4O4
A grand total of. .l52 .05l
By the first of March, 1862. this total had
been raised tn. III ,9eI
From this number the defences of Wash
ington, the protection of its communications,
and the main operations against Richmond a
strong and central defensive position of the
enemy, protected by an army in Virginia of
at least one hundred and twenty thousand
men, were to be supplied.
General Mcclellan shows that the Army
of the Potomac proper, subsequently, reached
at three different periods the following totals:
April 80. 1865
June ~ ..... .....................l4 las. .Sl3
july 10. Observation-Disclosures. ......... l44.o
The history of the progressive organization
of the army is given at length, from its form
alton into brigades to the adoption, under the
direct authority of the Executive, of the Or
ganizatiOn into army corps, of which the
General observes: Though | was always in
favor of this organization, as an abstract prin-
ciple, did not desire to form them until the
army had been for some little time in the
field, in order to enable the general officers
first to acquire the requisite experience as
division commanders in active service.p He
dwells also upon the great difficulty of devel-
oping the artillery and cavalry arms to the
state of efficiency which would justify risking
the fortunes of the nation upon grand and
trying campaign. He bestows special praise
upon General Barry, Chief Of Artillery, and
the artillery officers of the regular army, for
their inestimable services In relation to this
supremely important part of his great work;
and upon the zeal and intelligence with
which the volunteers availcd themselves of
the instruction and example of these officers.
The brigade organization was effected Au-
gust 4, 1861.
The divisional organization was effected
October Is, 1861.
The organization into army corps, by spe-
cial order of the President, was made March
8, 1862, the army not having taken the field
in body at all.
OF the important organization ofa general
staff, Gen. Mcclellan states that it was begun
in September, 1861, by the appointment of
Gen. Marcy as Chief Of Staff.
The history of the various departments of
the army is then rapidly but fully sketched,
with details which show how vast was the labor
to be performed in perfecting them, and with
due mention made of those who, in the dis
charge of their duties in the Engineer, Medi-
cal, Conmissary and Quartermaster's Depart
ments, especially signalized themselves by
their skill, fidelity and energy.
General Mcclellan particularly dwells upon
the sanitary state of the troops, which is de-
clared to have been on the whole .'better than
that of any army OF the United States" and
this, Notwithstanding the trying nature of the
campaign of the Peninsula and the haste with
which, after the battles of the seven days, the
troops were removed from Harrison's Land
ing to Alexandra, leaving behind them all
manner of necessary hospital stores and ac-
commodations.
The remarkable development of the tele-
graph corps is also noticed, and the impor-
tance of the services rendered by the Aero
nautic Corps which accompanied the army.
PLANS OF ACTION IN OCTOBER, 1861.
Early in October 1861, General McClel-
Ian addressed letter to Secretary Cameron,
at the request of the President, in which he
set forth the then position of affairs, and the
course open to the government and himself.
In this letter he showed that the force
under his orders was greatly inferior TO that
asked for by him in August for the prosecu-
ton of vigorous and successful invasion of
the South. He urged the concentration of
the national forces on Virginia for the purpose
of striking the rebellion at the heart" He
showed that for the defence of Washington
there would be required, according to Gems.
Barnard and Barry, of the
Engineers and Artillery. ............... 80 GOO
For Baltimore and the Potomac. ....... $4,000
For anerations against the enemy ...... $50 600
For Lower Potomac. 49,. 5000
Total electives required .......... DOS 600
The actual effective strength at his disposal
he then showed to be, including all points
held. I47 ,695, with 22S field guns-some of
the batteries being raw and unfit for active
service, and the whole force being 200 guns
less than was estimated ON all hands as neces-
sary fsf
The entire force of the Union elsewhere
employed was stated by the War Department
at 161, 900 and the reserves organizing at
100000.
Gen. Mcclellan accordingly recommended
complete and vigorous concentration of all
the forces not required for defensive purposes
upon the active campaign in Virginia; the
War Department estimating the force of the
enemy in Virginia at not less than 100000
men. "Unity in councils, the utmost vigor
and energy in action" he added, "are indis-
pcnsable. The entire military field should be
grasped as whole and not in detached parts"
"The rebels" he continued,
shave displayed energy, unanimity, and wis
dom worthy the most desperate days of the
French revolution. Should we do less?"
Were such concentration as he proposed to
be effected, Gen. Mcclellan expressed his
conviction that the rebel organization might
still, by well-planned and well-executed
movement, be overthrown before the winter
should set in.