Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-10-19

al McDoWells corps would turn the posi-
ton by way OF West Point. The next morn
ing, to the utter astonishment of the com
manding general, he received the follow
ing telegrami
ADJUTANT-GENERAL's OFFICE,
April 4, 1862.
BY direction of the President, General
McDowells army corps has been detached
from the force under your Immediate com
mand; and the general is ordered to repor,
to the Secretary of war.
Letter by mail.
h. Thomas, Adjutant-General.
General Mcclellan.
Thus within five days nearly co 900 men
had been taken from his command. leay.
ing him but IS, 600 for active duty. How.
ever, undaunted by these discourage
ments, the siege of Yorktown was proceed.
ed with. On the night of the third of
May the rebels, forseeing the fate which
awaited them, hastily evacuated the town
and moved up the peninsula. They were
promptly followed up and their rear guard
badly beaten at Williamsburg. Still our
army advanced, fighting more or less on
the way, until, on the Goth of May, it
reached the banks of the ChiclahominY
river, at Bottoms bridge. From this time
began the series of memorable battles for
the capture of Richmond.
THE BATTLES BEFORE RICHMOND.
General Mcclellan, alive to the necessi-
ty Of success, began to call for reinforce
ments, and, in reply, was informed that
General Mcdowell, with between thirty
! five and forty thousand men, would
march from Washington overland and
join him at Hanover Court House. Mean
time every preparation was made for at.
tacking the rebel army, but, on the 9th Of
May, the President withdrew McDOwells
command and transferred it to General
Fremont then battling with "Stcne-
wall Jackson IN the Shenandoah valley
The battle of Hanover Court House was
fought May 81 by General Fitz John Port
er, and complete victory gained over
the enemy. Just a week later occurred
tho hard-fought battle OF Fair Oaks, which
was also a victory for our troops. Our
loss five thousand seven hundred and
thity-seyen that Of the epemy six thous-
and seven hundred and eighLy.three,
For some time no battle occurred. owihd
to the heavy rains which had fallen and
sponse to urgent calls for rcinforcements
received McCalPs division 49, - i2tL -
OF June. Twelve days later June 25l oc-
cured the battle Of Oak Grove, which re-
suited in another victory of the Union
forces This was in reality the beginning
of what are known as the seven days bst-
ties. Their memory is so fresh in the
minds of tho paolc that it will not be ne
-, .,
detailed statement concerning them.
Suffice it 10 say that after series of most
hotly contested battles, with force su-
perior in numbers, the Army of the Poto-
mac moved directly across the York pc
ninsula and took up o strong and adyan-
taceous position at Harrison's bay, ON the
James river having lost in the seven days
previous 1920 men, killed, wounded,
and missing.
the PENINs ULA ABANDONED.
1t was now July 8. The army was well
worn out with the labors of the past few
days, but in good spirits, and firm in its
confidence in its leader. At almost every
step the commander had been disastrous.
ly interfered with by the Washington au-
thorities, and appeal for reinfcrcements
either diregarded or niggardly responded
| to-. How keenly General Mcclellan felt
for his sacrifice of his army by those whose
actions he could not control. is shown in
the dispatch to Secretary Stanton which
the repulse at Savage's Station, June %,
wrung from him. We quote portion of
it:
IL have lost this battle because my
force was too small. again repeat that !
am uot responsible for this, and | say 1t
with the earuestness Of general who
feels in his heart the. loss ofevery, brave men
who has been needlessly sacrificed 10 day.
did hope to retrieve our fortunes; but
to do this the government must vieS
the matter in the srme earnest light that
7 l. Il \
| know that few thous-
and more lben would have changed TINS
battle from defeat to victory. AS IL Is
the Government cannot hold me RESPONSE
BILE for the result. -.
II feel too earnestly to night, ] have
seen TOO many dead and wounded com
rades TO feel otherwise than the govern
mept has not sustained this army. II
Won do not do so now, the game is lost. II
save this army now, | tell you plainly
that owe no thanks TO you or any other
person in Washinton. You have done
your best 10 sacrifice this army"
And he did save it, despite Mr.. Lincoln
an Mr.. Stanton. Holding safe posi-
ton at Harrison's bar, protected by the
gunboats which lay near by on the James
General Mcclellan urges upon the admin
islration the necessity of Strengthening
his army preparatory 10 fresh attack OF
: Richmond. While at this point ne ad
dressed that memorable letter TO the Pres
= ident containing bis views on the conduc
of the war, which is now known by lh'
title of tho "lIarrison's bar letter" whicl
, has heen heretofore published. Meantime
General llalleck was appointed Genera
, in Chief, on the Sd OF August he telegraph
, ed General Mcclellan TO withdraw his ar
INV TO Acquia creek. Tho hitter remon
strated against this movement as lar as |
was proper for him 10 do, but to no eiiecl
!. An speed was ssed, the army safely EN-
a barked on board transports, ana on w
! 9th General McClallan, who was the las