The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-08-20
LETTER FROM GEN. GIBSON
NO 10

Virginia. and Gen. J. Z. Johnston
assumed command During the fol-
lowing winter it was augmented to
over 100000 men, and its lines ex-
tended from the Shenandoah Valley
to Fredericksburg, blockading the
Potomac, and from the hills of Cen
treville its banners streamed in view
Of the "White House.
The Army of the Potomac, under
Gen. G. B. Mcclellan, numbered over
100000 effective men, completely or
ganized, equipped and drilled.
On the 8th of March, 1862, John
on.retired behind the Rappahannock,
and Mcclellan advanced to capture
abandoned entertainments and "qua-
ker'' guns. The latter fell back to
Alexandria, and Johnston posted his
army behind the Rapidan.
1t was suspected at the time, and
is now certain that the Federal plan
of campaign was known to the rebels.
Nor was it strange, since the Capital,
was full of traitors and spies, hold
ing places in the Departments, and
near the Presidents household.
Mcclellan moved his army to the
Peninsula Mcdowell with his 49,
900, concentrated towards Frederieks-
burg and Banks was to have moved
to Manassas whilst Fremont, advanc-
ing from the west, was to drive Jack
son from the Shennand"-I-H H-i-z,
and sweep down on Richmond. Then
as Mcclellan pressed forward, US
ing Fortress Monroe and White
House as his base of supplies, the
other three armies were to wheel on
Richmond, and thus cutting its lines
Ofsupplies, force ats defenders to fight
in the open field, or submit to siege.
The country demaaded a "move on
Richmond.''
The embarkation Of the Potomac
Army, with its immense trains, its
II 500 animals, its II six gun bat
teries, and all its paraphernalia, on
400 steamers and sailing vessels, was
accomplished with an expedition un-
rivaled in history, and moving with a
splendor never surpassed, succeeded
in landing without loss,
No one now living is ff to write his
tory Of the rebellion, nor will its reat
historian arise until long after the
prominent actors in it have passed
away.
now desire to give Impressions
derived from a study of events, from
the records of both armies, and an
actual visit to the scenes of conflict.
On the 4th of April, Mcclellan
moved upon Yorktown, held by Ma
grud?r with 5000 men, behind en-
trenchments and Notifications. On
the afternoon of the 9Th, finding the
position unfavorable for a direct as
sault, Mcclellan threw forward his
force, and aided by gun boats in the
York river, maintained a sharp fire
on the rebel lines. He resorGed to
siege, whether wisely or not, history
shall settle. Some of his subordi-
mates thought he could, and should
have sto-med the works. 1t might
probably have succe eded by great
sacrifice Of blood, but his troops were
untried. The veterans of 1864 would
have carried the works on the 5th or
9th. Having got well into position,
Mcclellan intended to open his guns
on the 9Th of May, but on the Sd
Johnston had retreated up the PENN
sula to Williamsburg, Hurting his
forces upon the new rebel lines, on
the afternoon of the 4th, without
much advantage. Mcclellan renewed
the fight the next morning, winning
such advantages as forced Johnston
to abandon that position and fall
back to the Chickahomny. ..
Franklin ascended York river to
Eltham's Landing, covering West
Point, and drove off Writings rebel
Division. The whole rebel army was
now in full retreat, and on the 10th
was safe across the Chickahomny,
except a detachment left at Hanover,
and also one at Mechanicsville. Nor
folk was now occupied by our forces,
the iron clad Virginia destroyed, and
all the country along the James
to Drewry's Bluff, nine miles from
Richmond, by water, was in our pos
session.
The feet under Commodore Rog-
ers, ascended the James, and every
preparation was made to evacnate the
rebel capitol But Rogers was re-
pulsed, Drewry's Bluff, and Richmond
were saved. Thus far all had gone
well with Mcclellan, and success ap-
peared to await the conclusion of his
grandly planned campaign.
With au army of 100, 900 Mcclellan
pushed his advantages, until his right
rested beyond Mechaniesyille, seven
miles north of Richmond, and his left
was around Fair Oaks, six miles east
of the city. Curving from one point
TO the other his centre was at Bot
toms Bridge, on the the Chickahom-
iny, his front being twelve miles long.
In strong entertainments, around the
city, Johnston confronted him with
$4,000, and on the 30th of May at
tempted to oust Keyes, who held Nc
Clellan's left. The action was opened,
and protraeted into the next day, but
Sumner coming up, Johnston was roll
ed back whipped, with loss of 1000