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


TOMS Bridge, with Heintzelman's corps at
supporting distance in It's rear.
The ford at Bottoms Bridge was in our
possession, aud the rebuilding OF the bridge,
which had been destroyed by the enemy, was
commenced.
On the 22d, headquarters moved to Coal
Harbor. On the 26th. the railroad was in
operation as far as the Chickahominy, and the
railroad bridge across that stream was nearly
completed.
The history of the operations before Rich
mond is now given in detail, with reports of
subordinate commanders, including the battles
of Fair Oaks and Hanover Court House, the
paralysis of the operations caused by the sud-
den withdrawal Of McDowelPs command to
protect Washington at the moment OF the
panic caused BY the movements of General
S.onewall jackson against Banks, Shields and
Fremont, and the change of base to the James
river accomplished, through the severe and
glorious actions of the "Seven Days." from
the battle of MechanicsviIle, on the Goth of
June, to the fierce battle of Malvern Hill,
July /. a.. -e -.
This closed" says Gen. Mcclellan, ''the
hard fighting which had continued from the
afternoon ofthe 26th June, in a series of en-
gagements wholly unparalleled on this con-
tinent 10 determination and slaughter on both
sides"
July 4th the General telegraphed to the
President that he occupied, at HarriSOn's
Bar, positions (which could be carried only
BY overwhelming numbers" ''The spirit of
the army" he added, " is excellent, stragglers
are finding their regiments, and the soldiers
exhibit the best results of discipline" He
thus sums up the results Of the brief but fierce
campaign:
Il cannot now approximate to any state
ment Of our losses, but we were not beaten
in any conflict The enemy were unable,
by their utmost efforts, to drive US from any
field. We have
lost no guns except 25 on the field of battle,
81 of which were lost by the giving way OF
McCaIl's division under the onset of superior
numbers. When all the circumstances of the
case are known it will be acknowledged by
all competent judges that the movement just
completed BY our army is unparalleled in the
annals of war. Under the most difficult
circumstances have we preserved our trains,
our guns, our material, and, above all, our
honor.
To this the President replied:
BE assured the heroism and skill OF your
self, offers and men, is, and forever viii be,
appreciated IL YOU can hold your present
position, we shall hive the enemy vet"
On the 9TH Gen. Mcclellan telegraphed
eff not attacked to-day / shall laugh at them:
Flag Officer Goldsborough is confident he can
keep open my communication by the James"
Expecting an attack, however, as a necessity
to the enemy. and feeling the critical nature
Of the position, Gen. Mcclellan on the same
day addressed to the President the following
letter:
'HEADoUARTERs ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
"CAMP NEAR HARRIsON's LANDING, Va,
July Z, 1862.
ssMR. PREsIDENT-You have been fully
informed that the rebel army is in our front,
with the purpose of 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
to lay before your Exceilency, for your pri-
vate consideration, my general views concern
ing the existing state of the rebellion, although
they do not strictly relate to the situation of
this army or strictly come within the scope of
nv official duties. These views amount 10
convictions and are deeply impressed upon
my mind and heart. Our cause must never
be abandOned--it is the cause of free institu-
tioas and self-gOvernment. The Constitution
and the Union must be preserved, whatever
NAV be the cost in time, treasure and blood.
Ii 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 naIional 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
TIble contingency.
''This rebellion has assumed the character
of war; As such it should be regarded, and it
should be conducted upon the highest princi-
piles known to Christian civilization. Itshould
not be war looking TO the subjugation OF the
people of any Stale in any event. 1t should
not be a war upon population, but against
armed forces and political organization.
Neither confiscation OF property, political
executions of persons, territorial organiza-
tons Of States, or forcible abolition of slavery
prosecuting the war all private property and
unaFnied persons should be strictly projected
subject only to the necessity Of military ope-
ratOrs- Ali private properly taken for mill
tary use should be paid o. receipted for; pill
lage and waste should be treated as high
erinss; all unnecessary trcspass sternly pro-
hibited, 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 constitutionally
made, should be neither demanded or receiv-
ed. Military government should be confined
to the preservation of public order and the
protection Of political rights. Military power
should not be allowed to interfere with the
relations or servitude, either BY supporting or
impairing the authority of the master, except
for depressing disorder, as IN other cases.
Slaves connaband under the act of Congress,
seeking military protection, should receive it.
The right Of the government to appropriate
permanently 90 its own service claims of slave
labor should be asserted. and the right of the
owner to compensation therefor should be re-
eognized- -.,4
This principle might be extended upon
grounds Of military necessity and security to
all the slaves within particular State, thus
working mlnumissiOn In such State; and
in Missouri, perhaps in Western Virginia
also, and possibly even in Maryland, the ex-
pedieBcy Of such measure is only question
of tune ear ~
saA asystern IT noIev TINS ral and