The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-01-09
Justice to Mcclellan.

The following is from Gideon Welles, 4
member of Mr.. Lincom's Cabinet. While
it needs no comment, it confirms many
things said by us during the war, and re-
calls many memories wien Washington
came within an ace of being overcome
by the Contederates, and would but for
the facts related below. The period allu-
I'd To is Immediately after the defeat OF
Pope in front of Washington, and when
the advance of the victorious enemy upon
: the National Capital carried dismay thro'
! out the country:
At the stated Cabinet meeting on Tues
T day the I'd Of September, while the whole
I community was stirred up and in confusion,
! and affairs were gloomy beyond anything
/ that had previously occurred, Stanton en-
tered the council-room few minutes in adj
! vance of Mr.. Lincoln, and said, with great
excitement, he had just learned from GeE.
Halleck that the President had placed Nc
Clcllan in command of the forces in wash
inCtou The information was surprising,
and, in view of the prevailing excitement
, against that officer, alarming. The Presi-
dent soon came in, and, i'll answer 10 an in
duiry from Mr.. Chase, confirmed what Stan
ton had stated. General regret was eX-
pressed, and Stanton with some feeling re-
marked that no order to that effect had
issued from the War Department.. The
President calmly, but with some emphasis.
said the order was his, and ho would be re-
SpOnSihle for ii to the country With = re-
treating and dCmoraliZed army tumbling in
upon MS, and alarm and panic i'll the COM
munity, it was necessary, the President said,
that something should be done, but there
seemed tn be no one to do it. He therefore
had directed Mcclellan, who knew this
whole ground, who was the best organizer
in the army, whose faculty was to organize
and defend, and who would here act upon
the defensive. to take this defeated and bro
ken army and reOrganiZe 1t.
The St. Louis Republican contributes an
anecdote relating to this crisis:
Mcclellan, stripped of his command and
left 4 mere spectator of disasters he was
pOwerless to avert, had retired to Washing
ton, and was sitting one evening in his of
fee in company with Delos 3. Sackett, now
Inspector General of the army. This officer
had been on McClelIan's staff during the
PeninSuIar campaign, and was consequent
lv perfectly familiar with the eniharrass-
meuts uuder which he had lahored. They
were conversing upOn the gloomy situation
of affairs, and indul ging in those reflections
which that situation would naturally give
rise to, when suddenly :here was a sharp
ring n: the door bell. The servant came in
and announced the President and General
Hallecl. Mcclellan rose at once, and see
ing his distinguished visitors in the hall,
uShercU them mo Il private Illbu-fODul
in the rear. After a brief nSultation he
accompanied them to Il carriage in waiting,
returned 70 the office and remarked quietly:
''WeIl, Sackett, l am in command of the
Potomac again." His friend started up in
surprise and exclaimed inStinctiVely 81
hope General, you did not accept it with
out suitable ntees''--meaniug guaran-
tees against further interference on the part
of the Executive. Mcclellan looked at him
with peculiarly solemn expression he could
L L v~lls,v
ly and deliberately ''Sir, when the Prcsi-
dent of the United States tells me with tears
in his eyes thar ] am the only man who can
take command of this army anu save the
country it is no time to ask for guarantees.
We will leave for the front tomorrow morn
ing at daylight
They did leave ut daylight, and the cam
Paign of Antietam die save the country.