The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-02
Mcc1sllan,s Military Career.

We published yesterday communica
ton from the Hartford Comm Times on
McClellan's military career. The writer
is evidently a Republican, bat having
been soldier in the army OF the Potomac,
his personal knowledge OF its history under
it's creator aud original commander has
emancipated him from partisan prejudice.
and he does not hesitate to bestow upon
the distinguished victim of that prejudice
full measure of generous and apprecia-
tive praise. He shows that the Gripping
policy" which prevented the capture of
Richmond and the suppression of the re-
belliou in the summer of 1862 and the
following up aud destruction of Lees army
after the battle of Antietam. was the re-
suit of unwilliDgness on the part of the
administration TO have the war ended by a
general suspected of Democratic tenden
cies, Had the confederacy collapsed dur
ing the first campaign on the Peninsula,
or been crushed when its forces were
driven out of Maryland. the honors would
have belonged to Mcclellan. and tho
probabilities are that the Republican
partys first lease of power would have
been Its last. Then, as afterward, the
object wes 20 save the Union" by Repub-
ilcan salvation or not at all and everything
and everybody that seemed to be working
IN Democratic direction were swept aside
by the ruthless autocracy which had
erected itself upon the runs of the con-
stitution aud the laws. Whes the army
of the Potomac was united with The army
OF Virginia" and Mcclellan displaced to
make room for Pope, the shelving of the
former was intended to be permanent.
This purpose was clearly revealed In the
remarkable proclamation of the new com
mander, which is now one OF the curiosi-
ties OF military literature. The following
extracts are quite sufficient:
To the officers and Soldiers of the Army
of Virginia:
L have come TO you from the
West, where we have always seen the
backs of our enemies, from an army whose
business is has been TO seek the adversary,
and to beat him when fond; whose policy
has been attack and not defence. In but
one instance has the enemy been able to
place our Western armies In a defensive
attitude. l presume that [ have been
called here to pursue the same system and
to lead you against the enemy. 1t is my |
purpose To do so, and that speedily. | am |
sure you long tor an opportunity to- win |
the distinction you are capable OF uchiev
ing; that opportunity shall endeavar to
give you. Meantime l desire you 30 dis
miss from your minds certain phrases
which l an sorry to find in vogue among
you. l hear continually of taking strong
positions and holding them and OF lines
Ut retreat and bases of supplies. Let us
discard such ideas. The strongest posi-
lion soldier should desire to occupy is
one from which he can most easily advance
against the enemy. Let US study the
probable lines of retreat of our opponents,
and ieaye our own to take care of them
selves. Let us look before us and not
behind. Success and glory are in the
advance. Disaster and shame lurk in the
rear"
Less than SIX weeks after the issuance
IT this studied insult to Mcclellan, ''lisas-
er and shame" of gigantic Dimensions
;om PEELED Lincoln and halleck-who had
sanctioned that insult-to beg him, almost
On their knees, TO resume the command
and beat back the tide of invasion
which Pope's incapacity had let in.
Mcclellan could have demanded and
received any guarantees he chose.
tie asked tor none. He accepted
Inc great responsibility Internationally.
win troops discouraged and demoraiizedl
oy succession of bloody defeats, he
checked the invaders ut South Mountain.
and beat them decislvely Mt ADtietam,
That battle occurred on thea7th of Septem-
per. and so restored the confidence Of the
frightened government" that they felt
strong en,Iugh to remove Mcclellan ON the
I'm OF November following. Then we
naa burnside and the slaughter at Fred-l