The Washington critic., 1886-12-06
LINCOLN AND M'CLELLAN.
Their Celebrated Consultation ant
Parting at South Mountain.

Their Celebrated Consultation and
Parting ut South Mountain.
INCIDENTS OF M'CLELLAN's REMOVAL.
General McClellan's book upon the
Civil War and the part he took in it,
was published by Charles l.. Webster
& Co. to-day in one large octave vol.
ume. Following is an extract from
this work relating to two very remarka.
bic occurrences:
On the first day Of October, 1869, His
Excellency the President honored the
Army of the Potomac with visit and re-
NAMED several days, during which he went
through the different encampments, re.
viewed the troops, and went over the battle
fields of South Mountain and Antietam. /
had the opportunity during this visit to de-
scribe to him the operations Of the army
since the time 1t left Washington, and
gave him my reasons for not following the
enemy after he crossed the Potomac.
He was accompanied by General Nc
Clernand, John W. Garrett, Secretary of
State of Illinois, and Others whom / have
forgotten. During the visit we had many
and long consultations alone. He more
than once assured me that no was fully
satisfied with my whole course from the be-
ginning, that the only fault he could pos
sibly find was that was perhaps to prone
TO be sure that everything was ready be-
fore acting, but that my actions were all
right when | started. | said to him that
thought few experiments with those who
acted before they were ready would prob
ably convince him that in the end l con-
sumed less time than they did. He told me
that he regarded me as the only General In
the service capable Of organizing and com
mandng large army, aud that he would
stand by me. We parted on the field OF
South Mountain, whittier | had accom-
panied him.
We spent some time on the battlefield,
and conversed fully on the state of affairs.
lie told me that he was entirely satisfied
with me and that he wished me to con-
tinue my preparations for a new campaign,
not to stir an inch until fully ready, aud
when ready to do what ] thought best. |
have no doubt that he meant exactly what
he said. He parted with me with the ut.
most cordiality. We never met again on
this earth.
HIS REMOVAL FROM COMMAND.
When we broke up the camps on the
Upper Potomac and moved in advance the
army was in fine order for another battle;
the troops in the best of spirits, full OF
confidence in me, and | was then, l be-
lieve, capable Of handling an army In the
field as had never been before. felt
that could fight great battle. The march
was admirably conducted, and is worthy
Of study. In the course Of the 7th OF No
vember heard incidentally that special
train had brought out from Washington
General Buckingham, who had left the
railway very near our camp, and, without
coming to see me, had proceeded through
a driving snow storm several miles to
Burnsides camp. / at once suspected that
he brought the order relieving me from
command, but kept my own counsel. Late
at night | was sitting alone In my tent,
writing to my wife. All the staff were
asleep. Suddenly some one knocked upon
the tent pole, and, upon my invitation to
enter, there appeared Burnside and Buck
ingham, both looking very solemn. l re-
ceived them kindly and commenced con-
yersation upon general subjects In the most
unconcerned manner possible. After q few
moments Buckingham said to Burnside:
"Well, General, think We had better tell
General Mcclellan tho object of our VISIT
very pleasantly said that | should be
glad to learn it. Whereupon Buckingham
handed me the two orders of which he was
the bearer.
HEADQUARTERS or THE ARMY
WASHINGTON Nov, =, 1862.
No j0,. General HcCttt,aa, COptHqading, de:
hEhEkAis On ltctlpL OI LUt OIItF or Jlt
President, sent herewith, You will Immediately
turn over your command to Major Gen
eral Burnside, and repair TO Trenton, N. j..
reporting on Your arrival at that place, by
telegraph, for iurther orders.
Very respectfully, your obedlont servant
II. w, HALLEcK, Gcnoral'n-Chief.
| General orders, No, 1872.
WAR DEPARTMENT.,
ADJuTANrGENERAL's OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, Nov. ., 1862.
By direction Of the President OF the United
| States. II Is ordered that Major-Goneral Nc
| Clcllan be relieved from the command OF th(
| Army OF the Potomac, and that Maior-Genera
Burnside take the command of that army.
by order of the Secretary OF War,
| L. ID. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant General
saw that both-especially Buckingham
were watching me most intently while
opened and read the orders. read tn,
| papers with smile, Immediately turned tc
| Burnside and said:
swell, Burnside, turn the command
| over to you.h
They soon retired, Burnside baylng begged
me to remain for few days with the army
and having consented 10 do So though
wished to leave the next morning.
The order deprlving me Of the command
created an immense deal OF deep feeling II
the army-so much so that many were ir
favor OF my refusing to obey the order, aud
OF marching upon Washington to take pos
session OF the Government. MY chief pur
pose in remaining with the army as long al
dId after being relieved was to calm this
feeling, In which succeeded.
The New York Sun states that the
following discretionary authority Ia
General Halleck, in the handwriting of
Mr.. Lincoln, was found among the
papers of General Halleck after his
death, and transmitted by his widow