The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-11-05
A CRUSHING REvIEW OF mcCLEL-
LAN'S MILITARY CAREER.
some Astounding Facts Brought ont
by Hon. Ben. wade, Chairman
of the Commlttee ON the
Conduct OF the War.

Conduct OF the War.
Senator Wade, OF Ohio, whom the Dem
ooratic papers recently called 'the mos.
honest of the Republican leaders," and
whom we also regard as. one Of the most
honest and candid of our public men,
made telling speech at Cincinnati, one
evening last week, from which we quote
the following. Mr. Wade, it will be re-
membered, was Chairman Of the commit
tee in Congress on the Conduct of the
War, and is therefore we'll posted in refer
ence to the matters of which he speaks.
Mr.. Wade said:
In the fall of 1861, Mr.. Chandler and
myself feeling that the army was laboring
under some serious defect somewhere, by
reason of which no progress was made.
went off 10 the army TO satisfy ourselves,
and if possible discover where the diff :
Guilty lay. 1t was time when the very
capital Of the nation was almost in state
of siege, when foreign nations began to
look upon US as conquered people, and
when all the friends of the Government
were overwhelmed with shame aud hu
initiation. Smsrting under The effect Of
this state of things We went down to the
camp and found man who was the Gen.
eral-in Chief Of the whole army of the
United States. We found him in com
mand of 10000 of the best men that
ever marshaled under the banner of bat
tie. Never was an army got together,
comprising the patriotism and intelligence
that were found under that General. 1t
was the first rally OF the patriotic host :
the flower of the Republic to save the na
ton from destruction Go and converse
with the soldiers, and you will find men
there more worthy to govern than many
who are elected 10 govern them.
told YOU that there were 100 900 Of
such men in the grand army" A mill
tsry man of France said ths. the like was
never seen on the face of the earth. Such
an army aud with such supplies He said
that a'Freuch army OF the same strength
would subsist upon wha. was wasted. And
yet the rebes were almost ia sight of the
capital fouting their rattlesnake flag in
our very faces. How could you ask us
to submit to this degradation without at
least knowing the reason for its necessi.
| tyg We had en- interview with General
Mcclellan, and demonstrated with him foI
permitting this disgrace and disbonor Of
great nation. We exhorted him, for
Gods sake, to at least push back the de-
tiant traitors. Why cant you doit?
"Oh, have not men enough T.
How many men have you! know yot
have 10000.
"Well, you have got nearer the nun
Der Than others have.'
And more, know that you have 100.
O00 How strong, pray tell, are the reb
els?
"Oh, they are at least 22O, 900 or more
and they are behind notifications stron ge
than those of e5astopol.''
Well, could not dispute with him o.
that point, because | had not been Their
to see, but | did no. believe word of il
neither does any Democrat in the Unite
States believe it. Laughter simpl
told him that to have got together such
number as that, and to have supple
themselves with formidable aruor, tn
rebels must possess some of the qualitie
of Christ in making bread.
Believe ii or not" said Mcclellan, a
have it on the bss. authority. A gentl.
. man dined with me yesterday direc. frol
4. Bessregard, and he reported that nuu
ber."
Where IS that gentleman nov
I, 81 don't know
We'll, can guess. | think he is d
> ming with Besufegsfd To day, and teliin
him exactly bo. many men you have ~
: Laughter shd a,.s,i~use.
We CT ctmpi,iped to Abraham Lincol
and usged the necessity of making son
] change 10 the command of the army;
a Mr. Lincoln replied that Me-. McCiell
e was good General whom it would not
!. to disturb, and with this We were col
!, pelleu to leave the White House, with /
rattlesnake aag faunting its contempt
n cur very faces.
Il Well, Congress met and We turned
IF that boiy with some hope that an il
, preston you'd be made. There We
1. 100000 fighting men by this time in /
a. Array of the Potomac. | know the exs
A number from the records Of the War off
,e and | speak By the book. And there y
to the enemy confronting our splendid ho
a and there was not man over 10000
o. them
no We waited upon General Butler, n
n who generally kuows what he is abo
n. Tremendous applause, and asked /
re be knew anything about the enemy t
|e- is SO dishonoring and putting us to shal
- Gen. Butler had posted himself greatly
liz our satisfaction. The Governors OF
I'm rebel States had communicated to Il
Legislatures the number of troops {
"a, their States respectively had furnished
!. You know that the Governors could
likely to understand the number for Q
t.s one would be disposed TO make his s
81. look a. large as possible. General /
hat ler had gathered these facts, and putt
ost them all together, there were but 40,
a of them all in round numbers
nds | then waited upon Gov johnson,
testing against this state Of things,
~ a h ~ A.