The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-02-19
GEN. M'ClELLAN'S REPORT,
A SuecInct and Consecutive Summary Of
the Entire Document.
IUtN tIIt NtW UTk W UIII
(CoNCLUsleN.)

1ue ioIu Al DOttOm DrlOS0 was III our
possession, and the rebuildingof the bridge,
which had been destroyed by the enemy,
was commenced
On the 22d headquarters moved to Coal
Harbor On the Goth the railroad was in
operation as far as the Chick aho hominy and
the railroad bridges across that stream
nearly completed.
The history OF the operations before
Richmond is nov given in detail, with re-
ports of subordinate commanders, includ-
ing the battles of FAIR Oaks and Hanover
Court House, the paralysis of the opera
tions caused by the sudden Withdrawal Of
McDowells command to pro ect Washing
ton al the moment of the panic caused by
the movements Of Gei, Stonewall Jack son
against Banks, Shields, and Fremont, and
the change Of base to the James River ac.
mpished, through the severe aud glor-
Gus actions OF the Seven Days, from the
battle of Mechanicsville, on the 26th OF
June TO the fierce Battle of Malvern Hill,
July |.
This closed, says Gen. Mcclellan, "the
hard fighting wnich had continued from
the afternoon Of the 25th of June in
series of engagements wholly unparailed
on this continent for determination and
slaughter OH both sides,
July 4th the General teleyraphed to the
President that he occupied, a, Harrisons
Bar, a position which could be carried
only by oyerw helming numbers The
spirit OF the army he added, i excellent,
stragglers are finding their regiments, and
the soldiers exhibit the best results of
discipline He thus sums up the results
OF the brief but fierce campaign:
/ cannot Tow approximate 20 any state
ment OF our losses but We were not beat
sn IN any conflict. The enemy were unable
by theirutmost efforts to drive US from any
field.
We have lost no guns except - on the
field Of battle u of which were lost by
the giving way OF NcCalIs division under
the onset Of superior numbers When all
the circumstances OF the case are known
il will be ackaow lodged hy all competent
Judges that the movement just completed
10y cur army i, unparalleled in the annals OF
war Under the most difficult circum~
stances we have preserved our trains, cur
guns, our material. and, above all cur
honor.
To ti.is the President replied:
BE assured the heroism aud skill Of
yourself officers and men, Is, and forever
vii. be, appreciated. If you can hold your
present position, we .hal. hive the enemy
yet
On the 7th Gen. Mcclellan telecraphed ed
If not attacked TO day | shall laugh Al
them Flag officer Goldsborouah is con
:ilent IA can keep open my Communlca~
tian, ~ the James. Expecting an attack,
however - q necessity 10 the enemy, and
feeling tie crltica, nature Of the position.
Gcn Mcclellan on the same day address,
TO the rrcsidout the following letter:
HrArlrtsrss. Army oF 7IE Po-c1ic
>.a.s Q -.F ~ Z .sras NFr
July :. l,C..
NJ raEsloENr-You have been fully
informed that the rebel army ID IN our
front with the purpose OF overwhelming
u by att4ckIu. our positions or reducing
u ~ blocking our river conrnunIc2 tIons
/ ! cannot hat regard our coT&iilon as cr!ti~
+ cal and ! earnestly deslie, III view cf pos
. sible contingencies, to lay before your Ex-
cclleucv. TO. your private Consideration
nav euer2l views concerning the existing
state of the rcts.!iou. although they do
/ not strictly relate TO the tuaIien Of ihi,
amy or strictly come within my official
' duties These views amount to convle-
tion,, and are deeply Impressed upon nay
mind and heart. oar cause must never
be ataudourd-it j. the cause of free in
s,itul.oas and self-goyernu. eut. The con
>titut;ou and the Union must be preserved,
whatever my lie The cost in time, tire. $
ury and tlood. !! secession Is successful,
other disso.utions are clearly 10 be seen
. ii the future. Let neither military dis
alter, political faction nor foreign war
shake your settled purpose 10 enforce the
equal operation Of the laws OF the United
States upon the people OF every State.
The tine has come when the govern
ment must determine upon civil and
military policy covering the whole grot n
OF oar national trouble The respUHslo IL
IL OF determining, declaring and support
Ing such civil and military policy, and oi
directing the whole course OF national
affairs in regard to the rebellion must not
Z. assumed and exercised by YOU or ouI
, cause Will be lot The constitution gives
you power sufficient even for the present
terrible contingency.
This r. bellion has assumed the char
acter Cl wai {; a. such 1t should be regard
ed and il should be conducted upon the
highest principles known TO Christian CIV
lllzation. II should not he Il war looking
to The subiusation of the people ot ANY
Stat in any event. 1t should not be at ali
war upon POI uIation, but against armed
forces and political organization. Neithei
contiscatiou OF property, political execu
( tions OF persons, territorial organizations
! Males,
, should De contemplated for moment In
prosecuting the war all private property
and unarinsd persons should be strictly
protected, subject only 10 the necessity oi
military operations. All private property
/ taken for military use should be paid ol
receip,ed Tor; piliage and waste should bs
treated as high crimes; all unnecessary
trespass stelnlv prohibited, and offensive
depleanor by the military toward citizens
promptly rebuked. Military arrest,
should not be tolerated except in places
where active hostilities exist, and oatbs
not raouIrea by eEactments constitution
ally made, should be neither demanded
nor received. Military government should
be COZ. fined to the preservation oi pubic
order and IKE protection Of political rights
Military power sGou.d not be allowed tc
interfere with the reia lions OF seivi'uae
either by supporting or luapSlrihs .he "u
thority Of the master, except for depressing
disorder, as in other cases. Slaves csntra
baud under the act Of Congress, seeklSs
military protection, should receive 1t
The right Of the government TO appropri-
ate permanently to its own service claims
of slave labor should be asserted, and the
right of the owner to compensation there
for should be recog gnized.
This riuciple might be extended upon
grounds of military necessity and security
to all the slaves within a particular State,
thus working manumission in such State
and in Missouri, perhaps in Western Nir-
sinia also, and possibly even in Maryland
the expediency of such measure is only
a question of time.
"a system of policy thus constitutional
and conservative, and pervaded 10y the in
huences of Christianity and freedom
would receive the support OF almost all
truly loyal men, would deeply impress the
rebel masses and all foreign nations, and il
might be humbly hoped that 1t would