The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-10-12
Cen. Negiec's Letter.

| fer to the lasting impression make upon you
| when poor boy by the kindness of my father,
| who always took you by the hand and gave
you cheering, friendly words Of encouragement
and advice. You were pleased to acknowl-
edge to the son the kind and valuable influ
ences received by you from the father, and to
proffer your friendly services whenever they
would be acceptable. Under the above Cir
cumstances, you prepared for me and my
| friends no ordinary surprise when you deliber-
| ately composed, delivered, and published in the
Press of the 23d inst voluntary. unprovoked
attack upon me in the following words:
at got out that the president was determin
ed to have the army moved, and it was found
that Gen. Mcclellan had no plan; and here
may state that We owe the Peninsular campaign
| to those distinguished senators, Latham. Of
California, and Rice, of Minnesota, and
brigadier in the column of Joseph Hooker
Gen. McClellan's plan was corrected by others,
| and put into his hands. 1t was agreed on in
council of war. That plan was submitted to
| the President. 1t was submitted in the pre-
| fence OF Secretary Stanton. Stanton put them
| through strict course of examination. One
Gen. Blenker owned that he did not understand
| the plan, but would sustain it, as he thought he
had to obey the mandates of his chief. Gen.
Naglee was one Of those present, and Stanton
observed that he had but one star. Sir said
Mr.. Stanton, you have 10 right here Il am
representing Gen. Hooker said he. 1t was
Afterwards found out that Gen. Naglee was alb.
sent without leave, and that fighting Joe Hook.
er knew nothing of the council [Applause.l
Now, my dear sir. this statement is simply
false, and on the part of your friend, Mr.. Ed
win M. Stanton, Secretary Of War, maliciously
false. The peninsular campaign was not indi.
Gated by "Senators Latham, of California and
Rice, of Minnesota, and a brigadier in the
column Of Joseph Hooker as asserted by you.
Gen. Naglee was at Washington with proper
leave, and with the full knowledge of General
Hooker. and was a member of the council OF
warby direction of Gen. Mcclellan to repre-
sen, the division of the army at Budd's ferry,
in absence Of Gen. Hooker, who was too far
removed from Washington to be present. And
unfortunately for the veracity Of MIR. Stanton,
the impertinent remarks which you ascribe to
him could not have been made, for there were
no officers Of the council Of war entitled at
that time to more than one Star.
Now, Judge, you know, or should know, that
the reputation Of Mr.. Stanton for truth and
veracty is not above suspicion, and that you
may well believe anything that may be said re-
garding his great incvlity and rudeness, for,
not excepting yourself, have never seen or
heard Of an officer or civilian who did not con-
denim him for the utter want of all Of the re-
time Mr.. Stanton has been guilty of the most
deliberate, malicious Misrepresentation, and
for your qualification will relate an instance
that occurred upon my arrival in Washington,
Immediately after the conclusion of "the seven
days. fght," in the beginning Of July of 1862,
and when was surprised to learn that, during
the continuance Of that desperate struggle, and
during the time Of dreadful suspense, while
nothing could he heard of Gen. Mcclellan and
his gallant army, Mr.. Stanton had everywhere
denounced Gen. Mcclellan as traitor to his
country, and as incapable Of commanding a
regiment. learned this from number of the
members of Congress-; who were astonished
and COMPOUNDED, and who, with pain, eagerly
sought from me some explanation of suc.l ex-
Extraordinary conduct. could render them no
satisfaction, but reported the circumstances to
Gen. Mcclellan, upon my arrival at his head.
quarters on the following day, the 9Th of July
His surprise. Judge, was greater than mine
| without utterng word, he turned to his port
folio, took from it letter which he placed be-
fore me, and said: "Read that; have just
received it from Mr.. Stanton. With his con.
sent l made copy of the letter, and, returning
to Washington, placed it in the hands Of those
who had heard the denunciations of Mr.. Stan
ton, and who had advised me Of them. They
desired to read it to the Senate, and publish
the outrage and the vindica,ion. and they tele.
graphed to Gen. Mcclellan for his permission.
which ne declined to give them. The follow.
ing is copy of the letter: -... r..
| WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, d. c. July S, 1862.
To Major General MCCLELLAN:
| DEAR GENERAL-I had talk with General
Marcy, and meant to have written you of him
but am called to the country, where Mrs. Stan
ton is with her children, to see one of them
/ nu1
eral, in this brief moment, that there is nc
cause in my heart or conduct for the cloud that
wicked men have raised between us for Their
own base and selfish purposes. No man had
ever truer friend than have been to you
and shall continue 10 be. Yon are seldom alb
sent from my thoughts, and am ready to make
any sacrifice to aid you. Time allo IS me to
say no more than that pray Almighty God to
deliver you and your army from all peril and
lead you on to victory.
Yours, truly, EDWIN M. STANTON.
Now, judge, what think you of this man
who, made Secretary of War by the request
and influence Of Gen Mcclellan, was vilifying
and abusing, and uttering falsehoods against
him, and who could at the same time sit down
and deliberately write such letter? m
You have referred to the council of war held
in Washington in March Of 1862 Every eff
fort had been made in vain, to bring the pro
lceedings of that council before the public. A
call was made for them in the house of repre-
sentatives, and was tabled by the republican
party. A request made by the recorder of that
council, OF Mr.. Stanton, to allow him to have
the proceedings made up in proper form, was
refused in a most rude and insulting manner
and the papers have never been allowed to
leave his possession since. Now; Judge, for
your special benefit, will relate the history oil
/ hot INN fam ov hat Snay vvs1
do justice to all concerned.
The council Of war consisted of Brigadiel
Generals Sumner, Mcdowell, Franklin, F. J
Porter, Mccall, Heintzelman, Reyes, A. Por
ter, w. F. Smith, Barnard, Blenker and Naglee
Each entitled to but zone star" 1t was
called to .ether by order of Gen. Mcclellan on
the night of March Z. 1862, to convene at II
A. M. on the following day. Gen. Mcclellan
came into the council room at the hour ap
lpointed, and, placing on the table large map
Explained his proposed peninsulaI campaign
which before this time believe to have been
known to no one present excepting Gen. Frank
lin and probably FitzJ. Porter. Upon return
ing. he left upon the table, for the consideration
Of the council, the following inquiries
l. Whether it is advisable that the base oil
operations be changed, the transportation being
ready at Annapolis in all of next week.
i H. Whether it is better to make an advance
to the front before changing the base, should
such chance be determined upon.
+ III. Whether forward movement, with
/ the object of destroying the river batteries is
advisable, and when it can be commenced, and
/ whether the naval force. with the assistance Of
the Ericsson battery, can alone accomplish thai
lone act. .G sa
After session of three hours, the council
were summoned to appear before the president
He advised them that he was quite unwell and
Exceedingly nervous, that the pressure had
been intense against Gen. Mcclellan He ex
Ipressed himself gratitied to have the opportu
nifty to see and know the officers OF the army
and to be instructed by them in regard to army
matters, which were to him very Incompetent
eible. .H.ne..