The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-10-19
THE PENIN . u L a r.
CAMPAIGN.
A SECRET AND IMPORTANT
& CHAPTER IN THE -HISTO.
RY OF THE WAR '--fH-

d.
MY DEAR SIR Our acquaintance and
all of the relations fhatshave ever existed
between us are confined to two or three
accidental meetings, at one of which you
were pleased to refer to the lasting i'm
preston made upon you when poor boy
by the kindness of my father, who always
took you Ly the hand apd gage you cheer
ing friendly words of encouragement and
advice. You were pleased to acknowl
edge to the son the kind and valuable In
fuences received by you from the father,
and to proFer your friendly services when
ever they would be acceptable.
Under the above circumstances you
prepared for me and my friends no ordi-
nary surprise when you deliberately COM
posed, delivered, and published in the
Press. of the 2Sd instant, a voluntary un-
provoked attack upon me in the FOLLOWING
words
at got out that the President was de-
termined to have the army moved, and it
was found that Gen. NcC. elan had no
plan and here | may state that We owe
the Peninsula campaign 10 hose distin-
euished Senator'S, Latham OF California,
aud Rice of Minnesota, apd bri2adier
in the column Of Joseph Hooker Gen.
McCielian's plan was concocted by others,
aud put into his hands. 1t was agreed
on in rhe council Of war. That plan was
submitted he President. 1t was sub
mitted in the presence of Secretary Stan
ton. Stanton put them through strict
course of examination. One General,
Blenker, ovned that he did not under.
stand the plan. bnt would sustain it, as he
thought he iad 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. Stan
ton, lyon have no right !" 81 am repre-
senting Gen Hooker" said he. 1t was
afterwards found out that Sen. Naslee
was absent without leave, and that fight
ing Joe Hooker knew nothing Of the
coupcil
Now, Ey dear sir, this statement is
simply false, and on the part of your
friend, Mr. Edwin NJ Stanton, Secretary
of War, maliciously false. The PENN
sular campaign vas not indicated by
Senators Latham of California, and Rice
of Minnesota, aud Brigadier in the COL
umn of Joseph Hooker as asserted by
you. Gen. Naglee was at Washington
with proper leave, and with the full
knowled. e of Gen. Hooker, and was a
member of the Council Of War by direc
ton of Gen. Mcclellan, to represent the
diviation of the drmy at Budd's Ferry in
khe absence of Gen Hooker, who was too
far removed from Wasnin eton to be pres
,ent. And, r nfartunately for the veracity
of Mr. Stanton the impertinent remarks
you ascribe to Kim could not have been
made, for there were no officers of the
Council of War entitled at that time to
more thap one star.
Now, Judge, you know, Or should know,
that the reputation of Mr.. Stanton for
truth and veracity is not above ispspicion,
and that you may well believe any thing
that may be said regarding his great in
civility and rudeness, for, not excepting
yourself, have never seen or heard OF
an officer or civilian who did rot condemn
him for the utter want of all the requi-
sites of a gentleman.
This is not the first time Mr.. Stanton
has been guilty of the most deliberate
malicious Misrepresentation, and for your
qualification l will relate an instance that
occurred upon my arrival in Washington,
Immediately after the conclusion of "the
seven days fight" in the beginning Of
July of 1862, and when l was surprised
to learn that during the continuance OF
that desperate struggle, apd during the
time cf dreadful suspense, whilst nothing
cculd be heard of Gen. Mcclellan and
his gallant army, Mr.. tanton had every
where denou4eed Gen. Mcclellan as
traitor to .his country and as incapable of
commanding regiment. / learned this
from a number of the members of Con
press, who we're astonished and confound-
ed, and who with pain eagerly sought
from me some explanation of such extra
ordinary 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 stl day
of July. His surprise. Judge, was great
er than mine; without .utterirg a word,
he turned to his portfolio. took from it a