Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-10-06
THE rENINsULAR CAMPAIGN.
4 SECRET AND IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN THE
HISTORY OF THE WAR.

A SECRET AND IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN THE
HISTORY OF THE WAR
PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 81, 1864
To Hon. HIM. d. Kelley, Philadelphia.
MY DEAR SIR; Our acquaintance and all of the rela
tons that have existed between US are confined tc
two or three accidental meetings. at one of which you
were pleased to refer to the lasting impression made
you when poor boy by the kindness of my father who
always took you by the hand and gave you cheering
friendly words of encouragement and advice You
pleased to acknowledge to the the hind and valuable
influences received by you from the father and to proer
your friendly services whenever they would be acceptable
Under the above circumstances you prepared for ne
and my friends no ordinary surprise when you debe aey
composed delivered and published in the Press of the
23d instant voluntary unprovoked attack upon me in the
following words:
lit got out that the President was determined to have
the army moved, and it found that Gen Mcclellan
had no plan; and here may state that owe the Pc
ninsua campaign to those distinguished Senator's Latham
OF California, and Rice of Minneso aud brigader in
the column OF Joseph Hooker. Gen. McCeans plan was
concocted by others, and put into his hands 1t was
agreed on in council Of war That plan was submitted
to the President 1t submitted In the presence of
Secretary Stanton stanton put them through strict
course OF examit alton. One General Blenker, owned
hat ne DID not understand the plan but would sustain it,
as he thought he had to obey the mandates of his Chi
Gen. Nagee was of those present, and Stanton OBJ
served that he had but Sir, said Mr. Stanton
you have no right herev Il am representing Gen
Hooker said he 1t afterwards found out that Gen
Nagee was absent without leave, and that fighting Joe
Hooker knew hing of the council
Now my dear sir this statement is simply false and
the part of your friend Mr. Edwin Stanton Secretary
of War maiciousy false The PeLnsular campaign was
not indicated by Senators Latham Of California and Rice
OF Minnesota and Brgadier 10 the column of Joseph
Hooker" as asserted by you. Gen. Nagee at Wash
ngton with proper leave and with the full knowledge Of
Gea Hooker. and was member of the Council of War by
direction of Gen Mcclellan to represent the division of
the army at Budds Ferry the absence of Gen Hooker
who was too far removed from Washington to be present
And unfortunately for the veracity of Mr. Stanton the
mpernent remarkt you ascrbe to him could not have
been made, for there officers of the Council of
War tiled at that time to more than one star.
Now, Judge, you know, should know, that the repu
aton of Mr. Stanton for truth and veracy not above
suspicion, and that you may well believe any thing that
may be said regarding his great ncivy and rudeness fer
not excepting yourself have heard of an
officer or civilian who did not condemn him for the utter
want of all the requisites of gentleman.
This not tho first time Mr. Stanton has been guilty of
the most deliberate malicious Misrepresentation and for
your ratification will relate an instance that occurred
upon my arrival 10 Washington Immediately after the con-
cuson of the days fight" the beginning of Ju-
y of 1862 and when surprised to learn that during
the continuance of that desperate struggle and during the
time of dreadful suspense, whilst nothing could be heard
of Gen Mcclellan and his gallant army Mr. Stanton had
every where denounced Gen. Mcclellan as traitor to his
country and as incapable of commanding regiment
learned this from number Of the members of Congress
who astonished and confounded and who with pain
eagerly sought from explanation of such exraor
binary conduct
fhpm M Nfisfa huf rka3t Al
circumstances to Gen. Nc glelan upon my arrival at his
headquarters the following day. the 9Th of July His
SURPRISE Judge was greater than mne without uttering
word, he turned to his portfolio took from it letter
which he placed before me, and said R. ad that have
just received it from Mr. Stanton" With his consent
made copy of the letter and returning to Washington
placed in the hands of those who had heard the denun
Citations Of Mr. Stanton and who had advised me of them
They desired to read to the Senate to publish the
outrage and the vndcaon and they teegrapbed to Gen.
Mcclellan for his permission which he declined to give
them. The following is copy of the letter
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, July 5, 1862.
Major Gen MCCLELLAN Dear General: had a talk
with Gen Marcy, and meant to have written you by him.
but "a called to the country where Mrs Stanton with
her Children of the die. can therefore only
say my dear General in this brief moment that there il
u my heart conduct for the cloud that wicked
men have raised between for their and sesh
been you, and iha continue to be. You are seldom
absent from my thoughts and ready to make any ga
crifce to aid you. lime allows to say no more than
that pray Almighty God to deliver you and your army
from all peril, and lead you on to victory.
You're, truly, EDWIN M. STANTON.
Now Judge what think you of this man, who made
Secretary of War by the request and il of Gen Nc
Clesn, vilng and abusing and u,tering fasehoods
against him. and who could at the time sit down and
deliberately write such letter.
You have referred to the Council of War held in Wash
ingon in March of 1862. Every effort has been made in
vsn to bring the proceedings Of that council before the
pu>lc. call made for them in the House of Repre-
sentatves, and was tabled by the Republican party A
request made BY the Recorder Of that Council Mr. Stan
ton to allow HIM to have the proceedings made up in pro-
per form, refused in rude and insulting manner
and tho papers have been allowed to leave his
session since.
Now, Judge, for your especial benefit, will relate the
history of that important event. that you may you will
do justice to all concerned.
The Council Of War consisted of
Brig Gen. sumner, Brig. Gen. Reyes,
Mcdowell, &" A. Porter
Franklin, w Smith
Z" +. J. Porter, " Barnard
Mccall, F" Blenker
Helntzeman, Naglee,
each entitled to but "one atar It WAS called tooether