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


superior. E ~ 1 4E
II may be on the brink of eternity, and, as
| hope forgiveness from my Maker, have
written this letter with sincerity toward YOU,
and from love for my country. ~
f "Very respectfully.
Your obedient servant
On the 18th, Gen. Mcclellan telegraphed:
ave are very strong here now, so far as
defence is concerned. Hope you will soon
make us strong enough to advance and try it
again. All in fine spirits"
From this date to the 3Oth, constantappeals
for sufficient force to assume the offensive
were made by Gen. Mcclellan to the Presi-
dent and to Gen. Halleck. In the night of
August LIST an attempt of the enemy, with
artillery, upon the south bank of the James
was signally repulsed-
On the day previous Gen. Halleck tele-
graphed report from Gen. Pope that the
enemy were eyacuating Richmond, and or
dered Gen. Mcclellan to send away his sick,
an order which was interpreted by that Gen
eral to indicate preparations for his resuming
the offensive.
On the 4th Gen. Hooker defeated the enc
my and occupied Malvern Hill, and the next
day Gen. Mcclellan telegraphed: "My troops
have advanced l ? miles in one direction and
IL miles in another toward Richmond"
The next day Gen. Halleck telegraphed: a
have no reinforcements to send you" He
had already, three days before, dispatched an
order for the evacuation of Harrison's Bar
and the removal of the army to Aqua Greek
Down to this date Gen. Mcclellan had
been left in entire ignorance of the inten-
tons of the Government. He had earnestly
protested against the removal as soon as no
tilted of it, as certain Ito prove disastrous tc
the cause"
His protest thus concludes:
"Clear in nv convictions Of right-strong
in the consciousness that / have ever been
and still am actuated solely by love of my
COMMISSIONING that no ambitious orselist
motives have influenced me from the com.
mencement of this war-I do now what
never did in my life before entreat that thi:
order may be rescinded.
"If my cousel does not prevail, / viii
with sad heart, obey your orders to the
utmost of my power, directing to the move.
ment, which clearly foresee will be one Of
the utmost delicacy and difficulty, whatever
skill l may possess
Whatever the result may be-and may
God grant am mistaken in my foreboding.
i shall at least have the internal satisfaction
that have written and spoken frankly, ant
have sought TO do the best in my power tC
avert disaster from my country.
"G. B. MCCLELLAN,
''Major General Commanding.
Maj. Gen. H. w. HtLLEcK.
"Maior General Commanding U. s. Army.
Gen. Halleck wrote at much length to Gen
Mcclellan, giving his reasons for insisting OF
The removal, and urging the superiority of the
Fredericksburg base of operations against tho
rebel capital.
Gen. Mcclellan at once ION the 7th) pro
ceeded TO put in course of execution the or
der of the removal as rapidly as the condition
of the transport service would permit-fv'
batteries of artillery sent on the morning o
the Sth having taken his last available trans
port-when on the OH he received telegram
charging him with unsatisfactory delay
The next day the Quartemaster's Depart
ment informed the General that eff he coulC
cause a more speedy return of the steamer
sent away, it would facilitate matters" The
charge of ''delay" was, however, reiterated
by telegraph on the same day from Wash
ington.
On the 18th, Gen. Halleck telegraphed tina
''perhaps the government was misinformed a:
to the state of the facts" in regard to the
transport facilities at Harrison's Bar.
On the 14th Gen. Mcclellan endeavored t.
secure conversation by telegraph with Gen
Halleek, who briefly replied to his first com
municatlon and then left the Washington of
fee without notifying his interlocutor of the
fact.
The preliminary movement which had be-
gun Oh the receipt of the first orders was
now followed up by the movement of the
whole force by land and water. On the 16tf
Gen. Porter, In the land advance, reached
Williamsburg, where he had been directed tC
halt till the whole army should have crossed
the Chickahominy. He IL tercepted rebe
dispatch, however, which led him to believ,
that heavy force was then maSsing agains
Pope, and at once pressed forward on his owl
responsibility to Newport News, which he
reached on the 18th, marching his corps g.
miles through most difficult country in three
davs
By the 20th the whole army was at York,
town, Newport News and Fortress Monroe
Great credit is given to Plcasanton and Aver
Ill for the manner in which they covered thu
important movement.
Impressed with the gallantry, fidelity anC
devotion of his army, Gen. Me- lellan, on til,
18th Of August, begged Gen. Halleck, by tel
egraph, to ''say kind word to the army
which he nigh; repeat in general orders
To this request no reply whatever was re
turned. iur
On the 23d Gen. Mcclellan left in persor
for Acquia, Franklin's corps having embarked
and no transports having yet been sent TO
Summers corps.
The next day Gen. Mcclellan reported 70
duty. and, as before, orders and information
/ lie received from Gen. Halleck the followin,
reply:
sYou ask for information | cannot give.
DO not know where Gen. Pope is, or wher
the enemy in force is"
On the 18th Gen. Mcclellan was ordere,
to Alexandria, whence he next day reported
For the next few days, all was confusion il
Washington, and Gen. Mcclellan was contin
ually telegraphed, to ascertain tie facts ain,
take precautions On the 27th, he receiyet
news of the destruction OF Taylor's brigade
and urgently asked for cavalry to ascertain
the true state of affairs, as well as for author
ty to use his available troops for the protec
ton of Washington. The next day, Genera
HaIleck telegraphed his fears of ''cayalr,
raid in the night upon Washington" an'
asked for some regular officers" to be sen
him. On the 18th, the President telegraphel
to Gen. Mcclellan, asking for "news general
ly." The General replied that Pope must b
relieved, or the capital made safe at once, ant
asked, '.What are my orders and authority
ASK for nothing, but will obey whatever OF
ders you give" The President replied tina
he left all to Gen. Halleck, aided by the coun
sells of Gen. Mcclellan" Information wa
IL l.,