The Shasta courier., 1864-11-05
The Gunboat Controversy.

Not little has been said, writer and pub
ished, Of late, in regard TO McClellan's re
treat to the gunbcats in james River, during
he battle of Malvern Hill. His friends den,
he truth If the charge. and his anita ganists
not only reiierate it, but bring proof OF it.
The charge is not only true, but the public
generally believe it, lie did no, feel safe on
the land, in the rear of mis- struggling and
finally victorious trpops, and at time when
some Of his General officers, as they subse-
quently testified. were anxious to seize the
opportunity to march into Richmond, which
shey ieyl certain tLey could have done in
stead Of which, the, were commanded to re-
treat. The latest testimony we have seen is
that of a soldier named Kennedy. who, the
Pittsburg Gazette certifies, is every way wor-
thy OF confidence. Here is his card:
Stat,me'.t Of 4ai.etc N. Kennedy, Of Co. a,
Captain Foster, One Hundred aud Secoao
Pennsyieania lofuaieers.
Tvs derailed to tie Signal Corps Of the
Army OF the Potomac in December, 1861
aud continued in thar branch If the service
Until the expiration of my period Of enlist
meat, August 90. 1851. During the seven
days hghting ON the Peninsula. in front Of
Richmond, in June, 1862, | was attached to
the Signal Party at the army headquarters.
Our party was stationed near the line of bat
tie oi. Malvern Till during the battle, and in
communication with the gnnI,ats on james
River. 1t is within my own personal know-i-
edge that official reports and communications
were tran -nitied by cur party, during tie
hea u tie 6dfiie, by the several corps com
mand"rs add. cssed to General George b. Nc
Ciellan. scho tcas then on board a qe bat on
tie James Ricer. seceral miles distant from tie
scene Of action. | was ON duty on the station
on Malvern Hill. from an early hour in the
morninS until near nooa, anI during this en-
tire perin., messages were being sent to.
aud received from General Mcclellan. seto
wtson toard Ahc gustoat during tie hearics,
fighting c.t the day.
| WAS not on duty on the station during the
afternoon bnt | bave heard from my com
rades. who were on duty, that the GeneraI's
headquarters remained on beard the fleet ur,-
til the battle was over The first time saw
General Mcclellan during the day. was be
tween ten and eleven o'cleck at night, when
we started from uaxall's for Harrison Land
ing.
ANDREW n KENNEDY
Personally appeared hefnfe me. Mayor OF
Allegheny city. Andrew ~ Kennedy, who
helng sworn, says that the above statement
Is correct and true.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 2lst
day If September. 1864 A. e. ALEXANDER.
Mayer Of the City Of Allegheny
Sofirmlyis the truth ofthe accusation Fl xedin
the belief of many, says the Cail that they have
the initials of Little Mace B.-as a short
cut to represent his character, and they fli
up by calling him Gun Boat Mae We
have been surprised that during this contro
very they ha- not produced the testimony
of Prince De Joinville, who was present, and
although on the most friendly terms with
General NJ .Clellan. states the fact without
apparently pereeiving how damaging 10 the
General the statement and fact suld prove.