The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-06-09

competent 10 direct the operations IN thei
own department.. 70 enable Genera
Mcclellan to transport his force everl
means and power OF the government wa
placed ut his disposal and unspaTingl!
used.
THE Defense OF WARRINGTON,
When a large part Of his force had beer
transferred to Fortress Monroe, and thI
whole Of it was about to go in few days
information was given to me by varioul
persons that there was great reason to fsal
that no adequate force had been left 10 de
tend the Capital in case Of sudden at
taCF that the enemy might dstaCh a large
force and seize 1t at q time when 1t would
be impossible for Mcclellan to render any
assistance. Serious alarm was expressed
by many persons and many warnings
given me which could not neglect, or.
dered a report Of the force left to defend
Washington. 1t was reported by the
commander to be less than twenty thou,
sand raw recruits with not o single or
ganlzed brigade, A dash like that made
q short time before at Winchester would
at any time take the Capital OF the
nation, The report Of the force left to
defend Washington and the order OF the
President were referred to Major General
Hitchcock and Adjutant General Thomas
TO report:
Fist-Whether the Presidents order
had been complied with,
Second-Whether the force left to de.
Tend the city Of Washington was suti-
Cient.
They reported in the negative on both
points. These reports were submitted to
the President, He also consulted General
Cotten, General Tay ylOr, General Msigs
and General Ripley, They agreed in the
opinion that the Capitol WAS not sale.
The President then by written order di-
reCted mo to retain one Of the army corps
Tor the defense OF Washington, either
summers or MGDowrllS. As part OF Sum-
ners corps had already embarked | direct
I'd Mcdowell 10 remain with his command.
And the reason was approved by the Pres.
ident,
M'CLELLAN's DIsoBEDIRNCR.
Down to this period there had never been
4shade Of difference between Gen. MCOlen-
Ian aud myself. 1t is true that thought
ais plan Of operation o, iCtiopable, Us the
most expensive, the must hazardous and
The most protraCted that could have been
chosen, but was not military man, and
while he was In command would not In.
terfere with his plan aud gave him every
aid 10 execute 1t. But when the case had
assumed the form it had done by his dis.
regard Of the Presidents order and by
leaving the Capital exposed TO sez'
ure by the enemy was bound
10 act even II | had not been
required by the specific written order Of
tue President.
win any man question that such was my
duty2 When this order was Communl.
Gated to General Mcclellan 1t, Of course,
provoked his wrath, and the wrath OF his
friends was directed upon me because l
WAS the agent OF Its execution. II the
force had gone forward ashe had designed
[ believe that Washington would this day
be in the hands Of the rebels.
THE PRESIDENT AND STANTON.
Down to this point there had never
been the slightest difference between the
President and myself, but tho entreaties
OF General Mcclellan induced the Presi-
dent to modify his orders to the extent Of
the franklin division being part Of Nc
Dowell's corps that had been retained,
htiug detached and sent forward TO Nc.
Clellau. Thia was against my judgment,
because thought that the whole force Of
McDowellshoud be kept togetherand sent
forward by land on the shortest route 10
Richmond, thus aiding Mcclellan and
at the same time protecting Washington
by keeping between 1t and the ensmy.
In this opinion Major General Hitchcock,
General Meigs and Adjutant General
Thomas agreed, but the President was SO
anxious that General Mcclellan should
have no cause for complaint that he
ordered the force to be sent by
water, although that route was then
threatened by the Merrimac. ! yieldedm my
opinion to the Presidents order, but b5-
tween him and me there has never been the
slightest shadow since entered the cabi.
net; and except the retention oil the force
under General Mcdowell by the Presl.
dents order for tho reason mentioned,
General Mcclellan has never made re.
quest or expressed wish that has not
been promptly complied with II in the
power OF the government. To me per-
sonally lie has repeatedly expressed bis
confidence and his thanks In the dis.
patches sent me; not one word as to
political motives.
sTANToN's PATRIOTIC MOTIVES.
What motives can haVs to thwart
General McCltllanP am not now, ne yer
have been and never will be a candidate
for any Office. | hold my present post at
the request OF the President, who knew
me personally, but 10 whom | had not
not spoken from the 4th OF March, 1901, ,un.
Ill the day he handed mo my commission.
| know that everything l cherished and
held dear would be sacrificed by accepting
office, but thought might help to save
the country, and for that was willing to
perish. II | wanted to be politician or a
candidate for any Office would | stand be.
tween the Treasury and the robbers who
are bowling around me7 Would pro.
yoke and stand against the whole news.
paper gang In the country2
was never taken for q fool, but there
could be no greater madness than for q
man to encounter what | do for anything
else than motives that over leap time and
look forward to eternity. / believe that
God Almighty founded the government,
and for my acts In the effort 10 maintain
II l expect 10 s'aud before him In Judge.
tnsht. You will, Of course, regard this
explanation as being In the striCtest conf.
delCe, designed for your information Upon
matters which you have expressed con.
Cern for me. Truly Yours,
EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
Mr. KELLEYs CONCLUSION.
The conclusion Of the letter was re.
ceived with loud applause on the R1pub-
liCan side.
"Did that letter written under such cir.
need Corroboration, continued
Mr.. Kelley, "ARainst tho midnight Bland.
erers. No yet It should have confirmation
and II should have II from one Of the men
TO whom ghafled quotations or false
phrases were eattrlbutsd In the course oithis
vlllaiuous dlatribe. He then real a short
extract from letter Of General Grant 10
show the high opinion which that officer
held SGauton's character and expressed
hlA surprise that the fattllng Of the bsnes
ot U y. Gfaut had not disturbed the con.
spifatofS who had claimed TO have pOWef