Marshall County Republican., 1864-09-22
The Military Genius of "The Young
MaDoIeonIu


able mysteries of McClellan's campaign
against Richmond, says cotemporary.
why, after his army had gained so brilliant
and glorious victory at Malvern Hill, he
should have ordered a retreat to Harrison's 5
Landing. Whatever may he said of the
previous battles Of the campaign there can
be no manner Of doubt that that Of Malvern
Hill was a great victory, and hurled de-
struction upon Lees army 70 such an ex-
tent as literally to rednee MS force to a
torn and bleeling mob. More than ten
thousand rebels lay on the feld dead or dy-
ing, whole regiments had been swept away
and annihilated by the terrible storm of
grape shot and rifle bullets that tore
through their ranks. Lees army wss
routed, bleeding, and demoralized, and
Aeeing in terror to the swamps. throwing
away their arms and knapsacks. and en-
pecting instant pursuit or capture. 1t
was at this junctrrc that Gen George D.
Mcclellan commanding that army. instead
of re>uming the offensive and advancing
again t.,ward Richmond. which he conld
then have taken, ordered Il retreat to lIar-
rison's Landing.
On this subject we find the .uhioined
statement in the Rev. J J. Marks able
"Hi>tory Of the Peninsular Cau paign in
Virginia." written imme liatelv after Me-
Clellan abandoned the Peninsula. and by
an army chaplain who saw what he de.
scribes:
"The battle was over. but the cannona.
ding still continued. and shells and balls
of everv kind tore through the woods in a
ceaseless whirlwind of fury In the mean.
time thousands "f the Confcdcrates fed in
the widest disorder from the scene. and
hid themselves in swamps and hollows;
soldiers without guns, horscmeu without
caps and swords, came TO the hospitals in
the battle field of Glendale, and reported
that their regiments and brigsdes were
swept away, and that they alone were lett
To tell the tale.
1t is one Of the strsngest things in
this week of disaster that Gen. McCIell A.
ordered a retreat to Harrisnn's Landing,
six miles down the James River. after we
had gained SO decided a victory. When
this order was received by the impatient
and eager amy. CONSERVATION and amazs.
ment overwhelmed our patriotic AMI ardent
hosts. Some refused to obey the com
mand-Goneral Martindale shed tears of
shame. The brave and chivalrous Kear.
ney said. in the presence of manv officers:
: /, Philip Kearney. an Oil soldier. enter
my solemn protest against this order for
retreat; we ought, Instead Of retreating, to
follow up the enemy and take Richmond.
And, in full view of all the responsiL; ;iity
of such declaration, / say to you all
SUCH AN ORDER CAN ONLY DE PROMPTED BY
COWARDICE OR TREASON
And with all, hopelessness and despair
succeeded the flush of triumph. In silence
and gloom our victorious army commenced
retiring from an army utterly broken,
scattered and panic-stricken.
'' And when there was not foe within
miles of us. we left our wounded behind
to perish, and ons witnessing our retreat
would have supposed that we weIe in the
greatest peril from a vigilant and trium PHI
ant enemy"
1t is on the strength Of such strokes Of
military genius as this that the Democracy
are bawling themselves hoarse to make
Mcclellan President He has no record as
q statesman. for he has never been one.
He has no civil record, in fact, whatever.
by this war alone has he been brought
in.o prominence. His whole career has
been that of a soldier. and as soldisr he
must be judged. He is claimed to be the
best General Of the war. His men gained
a glorious victory in battle where he
WIS not present till it's close, snd he re-
warded them by ordering another retreat.
leaving all his wounded on the field in the
hands of a routed enemy. "A, parallel to
this can hardly be found in military
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