The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-02-20
Masters Of the Situation,

This is the subject upon which Mr..
James t. Field, of Boston, is lecturng.
in the course Of which he gives utterance
to good deal of folly and falsehood.
He has studied the recent history of this
country to little purpose, when he puts
forth such sentiments as this:
The lecturer was in Washington during re-
view of the army of the Potomac unner Gen.
Mcclellan. The review was to prelude series
of brilliant victories. and all eyes followed the
General as he rode among his troops. Nothing
so beautiful had ever been seen in Washington
before. An old veteran, witnessing the parade,
remarked that the General would not he master
of the situation, and so it proved
There was not an hour of his command
during which Gen. Mcclellan did not
entirely and thoroughly know what he
had to accomplish, and when he was not
in the way to overcome all difficulties. il
he had been let alone 1t is now as well
known as any fact connected with the wal
that he was surrounded hampered and
finally thwarted by adverse influences a,
Washington. Desiring to keep his own
counsel, he was compelled to lay before
the President and Secretary Stanton the
plan Of Ills campaign, which in twenty
four hours thereafter was known in Rich
mond Relying upon the cooperation OF
McDowel's corps, it was taken from hin
at the last and critical moment Instructed
by President Lincoln to move cautiously
he was abused by the Cabinet. Congress
and the radical press for not moving
rapidly. The result was defeat in til,
seven days battle, after which the army
was saved from humiliation only by the
mastery retreat upon Malvern HILL an(
the defence of that position. Then the
bombastic Pope took command, and was
terribly defeated at the second Bull Run
The last disaster was overwhelming The
defeated and demoralized army crowded
into Washington, while the victorious
lebels were marching upon Maryland.
Then there was need of the abused
Mcclellan. Gen Haileck wrote to him
Il beg of you to assist me in this crisis
with your ability and experience" Pope
was defeated August 31st, and two days
afterwards, both President Lincoln and
Gen. lalleck called at Gen McClellan's
house, told him of the disasters, and com
hitting everything TO his hands, begged
this insulted and outraged soldier to save
them and the country
Who was mastor Of the situation then
Mr.. Field?
The announcement that Mcclellan agar
commanded infused enthusiasm and conf
dence into the remnants of the army. A.
| their head he marched in pursuit OF Lee
| and at the battles of South Mountain anC
Antetam defeated and drove him bach
| into Virginia
Who was master of the situation then
When Gen. Chamberlain lectured il
| this city few weeks ago, upon the Battle
| of Gettysburg, he stated that rs the troop
| approached the battle field, an aid wa
stationed who announced to the soldiers
as they marched past, that Mcclellan wa
III command the word gave new lie ant
determination to the tired and footsor
men. SO that McClellan's name alon
was really master of the situation. ever
al Gettysburg, while he was scores o
miles away. And the country will prefe
to believe soldiers OF reputation, lik
Chamberlain, rather than any mere delve
among the foolish and malignant scandal
OF the past History will yet do iustic
| to Mcclellan.