The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-11-03
GENERAL MCCLELLAN ON THE GA

LENA
The following communication from
an officer on board the Galena gives
some account Of the persons who were
aboard that vessel during the battle of
Malvern, and what they did
1t comes to us with q responsible
name, that of the author, who appears
to have remembered more than Gener-
al Mcclellan did concerning that event
ful day:
"At Malvern Hill, on the 30th day
of June, there was moro or less heavy
skirmishing, in which the gunboats
were not needed just then.
about four o'clock, perhaps little
earlier, we noticed tho increase of artil-
lery firing, and that the action was
really growing into battle. The wild
est rumors were flying about. Dusty
and weary aids were hrrricdly coming
and going between the Generals head
quarters (near the river) and the coun-
try where the fighting was.
Several dusty, bronzcd men Qiko
boosters for Ioughness), accompanying
Il general whose neatness Of uniform
even the dust could not disfgure,
stepped aboard the Galcna from little
steamer, and we were soon under weigh
for Malvern Hill. These were Gener-
al Mcclellan and his staff. The prin-
cipal flag or signal officer accompany
ing the party was an old gentleman,
at this writing October b quarter,
master in New York city. He was TO
occupy most important position du-
ring the day, and well did he perform it,.
"The General and his staff of ex-
princes made themselves comfortable,
and finally settled down under the
quarter deck awning, with thclrsegars.
AS we neared Malvern the noise show
ed that u great battle was commencing.
By the time we rcacned Turkey Bend
the roar Of battle was very grand! In
CUR cagerness to secure position we
ran ashore, but easily got off and came
to anchor, with the starboard broad
side to bear.
"Thc rattle Of muskctry gradually
gave way to the deeper baying Of artil-
lery. The French Princes mounted
the top, where the old flag officer was.
Our own first lieutenant was above
them all, pcrchcd on the topgallant
mast, glass in hand.
The roar was terFibIe-so inccssant
as to resemble infantry firing! Our
men, eager to fire, dalied impatiently
with their guns and watched the quiet
hillside, two miles from the battle, or
the huttcr Of the little signal flags, as
they received and sent 1--WE snpposod)
messages from the General, who was
smoking unmovcdIy upon the quarter
deck
During this most fearful battle our
only communication (save oncc) WIS
entirely by signal flags; and even that
was interrupted. The low hanging
smoke Of battle often obscurcd the sig
nal party on shore. Our own fire was
quite often suspended 50 as to allow the
smoke to clear away; otherwise we
might have fired into our own army
One Of our gunboats, the Mahaska, it
was said, did have the evil fortune to
send shell into one of General POrter's
batteries. Frequently, too, we ceased
firing to allow the signals to be made
between ship and shore.
"About 5 p. NJ. the roar of artillery
was irighttul- so inccssant and rapid
that the air seemed deadcncd by the
successive conclusions. Wild cheers
could be heard sometimes, while the
shells from either army would be seen
bursting above the tree tops and the
hills which shut the deck from view of
friend or foe.
"About five or half past an officer
came to tho river, approaching from
the stern 1--WE wcro firing three or four
points on the bow Seeing his signals
we ceased firing ono moment, and II
momcntary lull ashore occurring ut the
same moment, wc heard him ye'l, is
General Mcclellan aboard your YES
sel?' Some said tho Major hailed, For
Gods sake, is General Mcclellan
aboard your ship2' but | only distin-
guished the latter part. We sent n
boat-he came aboard-communicatcd
and returned rs he came, alone. This
was the only direct communication
which saw.
II was ut foot of the forcmast on the
upper deck during tho whole action
being civil officer.
"By seven or half past tho rebels
acknowledged their rcpulso by re-
treating.
"About the time of Magrudcrs
charge one of the French Princes com
ing bunglingIy down tho rigging near
me, | asked him how was our fire.
In tho highest spirits ho cried, 'Eh bion,
it is splcndccd-splendccd, and away
he went aft skippingly During the
entire action, General Mcclellan nev-
er assembled to tho top--ncver left the
quarter deck except for refreshments,
Neither did he go ON shore at any
time, but returned to lIaxall's farm
with us
Proclamation by the President,