Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-28
GEN. MCCLELLAN, PAINTED BY HIMSELF.

Tae ninth volume of the official records of
the war for the Union, just published, con-
tains somewhat curious letter from Gen
George b. Mcclellan to Gen. Burn
side, in the Spring of 1862. In it he says
II feel very proud of Yorktown it and
Manassas will be my brightest chaplets it
history for l know that l accomplished
everything in both places by pure military
skill. am very proud and grateful to Goo
that lie allowed ME to purchase such great
success al so trihing loss of life. We came
near being badly beaten at Williamsburg
arrived OH the field at 5 p. m. and found thai
all thought we were whipped and in for o
disaster You would have been glad to see,
frightened up when they saw me. In five
minutes after reached the ground posi-.
bic defeat was changed into certain victory.
expect to fight q desperate
batll, in front OF Richmend, and agains'
superior numbers somewhat intrenched
The Government have deliberately placed
me in this position. II l win, the greater
the glory. If lose they will be damned
forever, both by God and men.
The crisis can not be long deferred. pray
for Gods blessing on our arm, and rely far
more on his goodness than do on my own
poor intellect. sometimes think now that
/ can almost realize that Mahomet was sin
eere. When see the hand OF God guarding
one so weak as myself, can almost think
myself chosen instrument to carry out Hi
schemes. Would that better man hac
beer selected"
This was written from the headquarters Of
the army at Tunsall's Station, May 2lst
1862. 1t seems to have been a private let
ter and probably Gen. Mcclellan never cx
pected to see it IN print but it appears to
have been fled with the official records
and, being published it is q fair subject for
comment as an indication Of the character o.
the man who wrote it, The things thai
must strike every reader Of it, are Gen. Nc
Cle'lan's sweet innocence, Inconsistencies
and simple piety. He owns to himself AM
his friend hat he is very proud OF thu
"pure military skil' he had exhibited al
Manassas ard Yorktown. What then were
the achievements which were to be Gen. Nc.
Clella 3 "brightest chaplets in his ory p
At Manassas he had permitted Gen.
Joe Johns on, with 80, 90 men, tc
hold him back all Winter, though
he had under his command well appointed
army of 100000 His "pure military skip
consisted in waiting-waiting even after Mr.
Lincoln in despair peremp orily and repeat
eddy ordere an advance ; and then In allow.
ing his enemy to retire, unhurt, in his own
ume and own way, behind the Rappahan-
mock, wi out hostile volley being fired
In ron of Yorktown General Mcclellan
PERM ted General Magruder, with 10, OOC
men 10 keep him and his army Of 10000
bac. for month, dur ing which Mcclellan
was Il ng for reinforcements and getting
ups ctr ms which were not to be used
Having emained q. Yorktown as long as
suite eli purpose, he enemy evacuated
York own and retired up the Peninsula, to
the ter surprise of General Mcclellan and
Of tie emit Union army These are facts
Of history, as well established a. anything
yelati q 10 q . war. TIE rebel generals had
svsry reason to DO satisfied with the results
~ passaa and Yorktown. II General No.