The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-14
for his permission, which he declined to
give them. The following is copy OF the

army from ali peril, and lead you on to victory.
Yours 'f 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 viliying and abusing and uttering
falsehoods against him, and who could at
at the same time sit down and deliberately
write such letter?
You have referred to the council CT war
held in Washington in March of 1862.
Every effort has been made, in vain, to
bring the proceedings of that council be.
fore the public. A call was made for them
in the House of Representatives, and was
tabled by the Republican party. A re-
quest 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 most rude and in
sulting manner, and the papers have never
been allowed to leave his possession since.
Now, Judge, for your especial benefit,
will relate the history of that important
event, that you may, if you will, do JUS
tice to all concerned.
The council of war consisted of
Brig: Gen. Sumner, Brig;;,Gen ": F: Smith
franklin, A. Porter,
8. ELF F. J; Porter 9. Barnard BarIard,
Heintzelman, Neglee,
Each entitled to but zone STAR" It was
called together by order of Gen. McClel-
Ian on the night of March 9TH, 1862, to
convene at 10 A. M. on the following day.
Gen. Mcclellan came into the room at
The hour appointed, and, placing on the
table large map, explained his proposed
Peninsular Campaign, which before this
time believe to have been known to no
one present excepting Gen. Franklin and
probably Fitz John Porter. Upon retiring,
he left upon the table, for the consdera-
ton of the council, the following inqui-
ries -
l. Whether it is advisable that the base of
operations shall be changed, the transportation
being ready at Annapolis in all of next week.
2. Whether it is better to make an advance
to the front before changing the base, should
such base be determined upon.
3. Whether forward movement, with the
object of destroying the river batteries is ad-
visable, and when it can be commenced, and
whether the naval force. with the assistance of
the Ericsson battery, can alone accomplish
that object.
After session of three hours the coun-
Gil were summoned to appear before the
President. He advised them that he was
quite unwell and exceedingly nervous, and
that the pressure had been intense against
Gen. Mcclellan. He expressed himself
sratified to have the opportunity to see
and know the officers of the army, and to
be instructed by them in regard to army
matters, which We're to him very incom-
prehensible.
informed him that, as recorder of the
council of war which had held its session
by order of Gen. Mcclellan, would ad-
wise him of the result of it's proceedings,
and then read them to him. "What,"
said he, "have the council decided by
vote of eight to four-two to one-in ia
vor Of the Peninsular Campaign?" He
then asked many questions in regard to the
same, until Mr.. Stanton came in, and
proposed to read the proceedings to him.
He replied, "Give me the papers; Thread
them myself; =" and, after reading them
over and preparing his notes, he, as you
say, "put them (the counciD through the
strict course of examination which you
refer to. This examination, made for the
purpose of neutralizing the effect of the de-
cision of the council of war on the mind of
the President, and thus to carry out the
objects of those who had been insisting
upon the removal of Gen. McC lellan, lasted
for four or five hours, during which time
it was only interrupted by an occasional
expression Of the President, indicating bis
satisfaction and qualification at the many
explanations of military movements con-
templated, and which he had not before
been able to comprehend.
1t was now getting dark. Mr. Stan
tons questions indicated approaching ex-
haustion, and finding there was a silence
which called for a cessation of hostilities
on his part for the night, Mr.. Lincoln ex-
pressed himself highly gratifed with the
interview, said he was impressed with the
earness and intelligence of the officers
present, and that he had every confidence
in them. He was now determined not to
remove Gen. McC lellan,a las he had promised
to do, but that he should make his CAM
paign, as approved by the council of war,
under restrictions, which he would make
known the following morning, at 0 o'clock,
when he desired the presence of all the
officers Of the council, and until after
which time he desired that none of them
should leave the city.
Before leaving the President, the Re-
corder OF the Council approached the
Secretary, and said: eff you please, Mr..
Stanton, permit me to have the council of
war, that they may be copied in a fair
hand, and Gen; Sumner, the president of
the council win sign them, and they will
tnem-Oe n pfope r. .orm." "Im just as
the reply of your friend.
Other incivilities have been attempted
by Mr.. Stanton towards me, the manner
and result of which he has neither for
gotten nor forgiven, and which he NAV
relate to you whenever he may feel SO
disposed.
On the following morning, at the ap.
pointed hour, when all of the officers o.