The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-10-14
Gen. Mcclellan and the Peninsula Oam-

Gen. Mcclellan and the Peninsula Gam
paign-T Testimony of Gen. Heintzleman.
A few days since the argus took occasion
to speak slurringly of one Of the distinguished
officers whose testimony before the Committee
on the Conduct of the War has appeared in
the Press, and attempted to discredit his crit
icisms upon McClellan's generalship by insti-
tuting an invidlous comparison between him
and Gen. INSTRUMENTATION in its bear
ing upon the general referred to. san
We propose in this article to introduce Gen.
Heintzeman himself and respectfully ask the
Argus to stand by the show of respect 1t made
for this old battle-scarred veteran, and not at
tempt to sully his laurels because he don't hap
pen to express an exalted opinion of the pres
ent candidate of the copperhead party. 1t is
lucky. perhaps, for McClellan's military repu-
tation that the grave has closed upon the gal
liant Kearney, upon Mansfield, upon Stevens,
upon Berry, upon Jameson and host Of 9TH
ers, who, if living, would combine in making
so strong case against him that few men
would dare to stand up before the American
people aud insult their intelligence by claim
Ing for Geo. B. Mcclellan any qualities, as a
military commander, that should lead single
honest-minded man to support him for the
high position to which he aspires.
Gen. SAMUEL P. HEINTzLEMAN gave his
testimony before the Committee, in two install
ments, the first dated Dec "a, 1861, and the
latter Feb. II, 1868. The first of these testi-
monies was given before the Peninsula cam
paigu took place, but few statements are
worthy Of notice, as showing the opinions of
military man. Gen. Heintzleman, it will be
remembered, was a corps Commander, one OF
the highest In command below the general-in-
chief The following is from his first testitno-
n.y. &-r
Question. 1 would inquire whether there
has been any council of war among your Off
GERS and the general-in-chief?
Answer. / have never been consulted upon
anvnilitary subject.
Question. Not in all the time that General
Mcclellan has been in commando
Answer. No. sir. A. aae
Question. Do you know anything of any
military plan Of operation that he has in viewP
: Answer. No, sir; have not the slightest
idea-not the slightest.
Question. will ask whether 1t is usual for
general-in-chiet to conceal his great plans
from commanders of divisions?
Answer. When Gen. Mcdowell was in com
nand saw him number OF times, and we had
long and free conversations about the plans
and operations of the campaign.
Question. In your military experience and
reading, has 1t not been customary, in man.
@uvring large army, even for the most emf
nent general to take the opinion of his gener-
ais of divisions? - arrs Eea so s
Answer. Yes, sir; we very frequently find
that that is the case-that they do take their
opinions.
La answer to question as to how many
men one commander can proftably handle in
battle, Gen. Helntzleman said, Napoleon was
of the opinion that he and the Archduke
Charles were the only men in Europe who
could maneuvre 100000 men," Witness con-
sidered it very difficult thing to handle SO
large an army.
Having expressed the opinion that an expe-
dition for Richmond by the way of Fortress
Monroe and the Peninsula would be advisable,
he said he supposed in addition to the 10000
then at Fortress Monroe, 10000 more would
be sufficient for such an expedition. General
Mcclellan, it will be recolIected, found himself
before Yorktown with nearly or quite 10000,
and received large reinforcements on his way
TO and before Richmond. and yet complained
that he was not supported by the Govern
ment. s' fsr
Gen. Heintzleman repeatedly, in his testi.
mony, said he thought councils Of war vould
be servicable, and the following question and
answer will perhaps give sufficiently clear
idea OF the evils resulting from the neglect of
q commander to cultivate the acquaintance of
his corps and division commanders. ~
Question. Is there any feeling among Off
GERS tnat they are not consulted-that they
are sighted? bH1 49,
Answer. Yes, sir, suppose there ia some.
OF course II man is sighted he naturally |
would feel it. l thought It very singular that
1never had question asked me about the DO
sltion of affairs here. l thought had been
long enough In the service-tlrenty.ti pe pears.
Question. To make your experience worth
something? aao 5s3H
:. Answer. To make my experience worth
little. II,
Gen. Heintzleman was very emphatic that,
In his opinion, the army should not remain in
active, In winter quarters, but should COM
mence an active campaign at once. He sup
po'eu 'ne army was ready to move at mo-
mehtS notice. This was late in December,
100i' ~nen the army was lying before Manas-
sa9. See Report of Committee. Part nAoes
1l7-l22. - F"ee'
we come now to the Peninsula camno,on
Gen. Heintzleman was the foremost i ,h;s p
pedtIon. Including the garrison At VII
town, and the line OF defences across 70 W.
wick river, and at Williamsburg he d;d No,
estimate the rebel force at over 10000 wbon
he arrived on the peninsula; thinks he could
have isolated the garrison at Yorktown, If he
hGd been permitted, and that the place would |
nave fallen in few days. The army remain
Gu "e'ore Yorktown from the 9Th of April to
lne IN Of May, when the rebels evacuated the
place, de says Mcclellan "got the idea that
'ne place mad to be beseiged, and that delayed
us from day to day until it run out to month";
He says he was willing to undertake. to force
the rebel lines Nth a single br;oodo That
Gen. Hamilton made application to do %. ha
forwarded the application to Gen. McClal,an
but the latter, he thinks, neUer took anu noncs
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