The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-18
MCCLELLAN INsUBoRDINATE.
General Scott Complained that He Disobeyed
Orders and Neglected His Duties.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY.
WA sHINGTON Oct a 1861.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY.
WASHINGTON, Oct. a, 1851
The Hon. s. Cameron. Secretary of War:
Sir-You are, believe, aware that hailed
the arrival here of Major general Mcclellan as
an event of happy consequence to the country
and the army. Indeed, if did not call Cor him,
/ heartily approved of the suggestion, aud gave
him the most cordial recel Ion and support.
He, however, had hardly entered upon his
new duties when. encouraged to communicate
directly with the President and certain Nom
bers of the Cabin ct, he in few days forgot that
he had any intermediate commander, and has
long prided himself in treating me with uniform
neglect, running into disobedience of orders
OF the smaller matters-neglects-t IN
themselves grave mill tary offenseS, need not
speak in face of the following
l. To suppress an irreguarity moro con-
spicuous in Major generally Mcclellan than any
other officer published the following:
General Orders No. III
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 1861
There are irregularities in the correspondence Of the
army which need prompt correction. 1t is highly i'm.
portant that junior officers duty be not permitted
to correspond with the Generaih-chef, other COM
mander current official business. except through
intermediate commanders; and this rule applies to cor
through the Secretary of War unless il be by the
cial invitation or request of the President soour
E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Acknowledgment
With this order fresh in his memory. Major
general Mcclellan addressed two important com
muncations to the Secretary of War. respective
ly on the 10th ard 10th Of the same month; over
my head, and how many since to the Secretary
and even to the President. have not inquired.
bat many, have no doubt, (besides daily oral
communications with the same high function.
aries), all without my knowledge
II. To correct another class of gross neglects
/ the same day caused to be addressed to Major
general Mcclellan the following letter:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, !
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1t. 1861.
To Major-eeneral Mcclellan. U. =. A.. Commander g
Department of the Potomac:
The commanding General Of the Army Of the Pc.
tomac will cause the positions state and number of
troops under him to be reported at once to general
headquarters by divisions, brgades and independent
regiments attachments. which general report will
be followed by reports of troops they arrive,
with the dispositions made Of them together with all
material changes wkch may take place in the same
army. By command of LIEUT.. GEN SCOTT.
e. D. TOWNSEND. Assistant Adjutant- general.
Eighteen DAYS have now elapsed, and not the
slightest respect has been shown to either of
these orders by Major general Mcclellan. Per-
haps he will say in respect of the latter, lit has
been difficult for him to procure exact returns Of
divisions, brigades. ETC." No doubt. But why
not have given me proximate returns. such as he
SO eagerly furnishes the President and certain
Secretaries7
Has, then, senior no corrective power over a
Junior StHCer IN cases or SUCH persistent neglect
and disobedience2 the remedy by court-martial
would probably soon the evil But it has
been feared that conflict of authority near the
head of the army would be highly encouraging to
the enemies, and depressing to the friends of the
Union. Hence my long forbearance; and con-
tinuing, though but nomiually. on duty. shall
try to hold out till the arrival of Major-general
Halleck when. as his presence will give me in
creased confidence in the safety of the Union, l
shall definitely retire from the army.
| have the honor to remain, with high respect,
your most obedient servant
WINFIELD SCOTT.