The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-06-28
THE OTHER SIDE.

Everybody that knows anything
about the history of the late war be-
tween the States knows that General
George B. Mcclellan, or the young
Napoleon, as he was called by his
friends at that time, is to-day. ard al.
ways has been blamed for his failure
to take Richmond during the great
efforts made by the Uionists during
the early part Of the great struggle
and after the end Of the Seven Days
Battles around Richmond. Notwith.
standing the great efforts made by
that officer to capture Richmond and
destroy the rebel army, he was called
a traitor and an enemy to the cause
for which he was employed, and by
those that had employed him. 'Tis
true that Nc was not an abolitionist.
This everyone knows, but he was q
very conscientious Union man, and
one that believe would have cheer
fully laid down his life for that
cause had it been necessary for
him to have done so. His idea Of the
war was to hold this great Union OF
States together and not to free the
slaves. In this he was very earnest
no doubt, and for this he had to suffer
all the taunts Of the people in being
a traitor, a failure, a rascal and every
thing else that was mean and con-
temptible. And now In order that
those who read this article may know
lust the position that General McClel-
Ian took in that great struggle wish
to reproduce letter written to Abra'
ham Lincoln during the summer OF
1862. I wish to state right here that
am writing these letters entirely from
memory and should any of the readers
of the REGISTER detect any assertions
in regard to wrong dates you will
please blame my memory and not to
an intentional error.
Iof course cannot reproduce the let
ter word for word but it being of the
nature it was and coming out at the
time it did, it made deep and lasting
impression on my young mind and ]
can now produce at least the greater
part of that epistle.
/ give this letter In order that your
readers may fully understand the DO.
sition and views taken by this great
officer at that time, before I attempt
a description of the battles fought by
him. The letter 1 think was written
in the summer of 1872 or that fall, and
was about as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoroMAcl
Mr.. President. YOU are fully aware that III,
rebel army is In our front with the intention
of overwhelming US by attacking our position
and reducing US by blocking our river com
munications. 1 cannot help but regard GU,
position as critical, and l desire in view O
possible contingencies to lay before your Elk.
cellency for your private consideration my
general views concerning the existing state o
the rebellion, although they do not strictly re-
late to the situation of the army or come with
III the scope OF my official duties, These views
amount to convictions and are deeply impress
ed upon my mind and heart. Our cause mus
never be abandoned. 1t is the cause of FIRE,
institutions and self government. The consti.
tuition and Union must be preserved, whatever
be the cost IN time or blood. If secession il
successful other dissolutions are plainly {,
be seen in the future. Let neither military
disaster, foreign war or anything else shakt
our purpose to infuse the equal rights of tn,
laws to all the States.
The time has come when the government
must determine on civil and military polio,
covering the whole ground of our nationa
declaring and supporting such civil and mill
tary responsibility and of directing the who'll,
course of national affairs in regard to the re
bellion must now be assumed and exercised b,
you, or our cause will be forever lost Tn,
constitution gives You power sufficient even TO
the present terrible exigency. This rebellion
has assumed the character Of a war. AS sucl
it should be regarded, and 1t should be conduct
ed on the highest principles of Christian civil
lization. 1t should not be war looking to tn
subjugation OF the people of any State in an,
event. 1t should not be war upon population
but against armed forces and political organi
zations, neither contiscation of property o.
political executions Of persons, Territorial CT
CARNATIONS Of States, or forcible abolition o
In prosecuting the war. All private propert,
and unsrmed people should be strictly protect
ed-subject only to military Operations-an,
private property taken should be paid or re
6eipted for. Pillage and waste should be treat
ed as crimes, and all unnecessary trespas
prohibited, and all offensive demeanor on tn
part of the military to private citizens shout,
be rebuked. Military arrest should not be al
lowed except in cases where parties are foun,
to be hostile against the government Mill
tary government should be confined to politi
lowed supporting or impairing the authorit
of the matter except for depressing disorder a
in other cases. Slaves contraband under tn
act Of Congress seeking military protection
to appropriate permanently to Its own seryic
claims to slave labor should be asserted, an
the rights Of the owner to compensation there
for should be recognized. This principi
might be extended upon grounds of militar
necessity and security to ali the slaves With
spsrticular State, thus working a manumis
sion in such State. Such a condition of thing
would no doubt commend itself to all Iowa
people and many OF the rebels and the foreig
nations and might possibly meet with the ap
prevail of Almighty God
Unless the principle governing the futur
conduct OF our struggle be made known an
approved the effort to obtain the necessar
force to down the rebellion will be hopless
In carrying out any system OF policy whic
you may form, you will require of course
general in chief OF the army-0ne who possess
es your confidence, understands your view
and is confident to execute your orders by di
recting the military forces OF the nation.
do not ask that position for myself. / ar
willing to serve In that capacity If you choos
10 assign me to that duty, and will fill tina
place to the very best of my ability
He closed the epistle by saying tina
he might possibly be now at the yery
doors of eternity. But that he haC
written this letter with the sincerit,
and love that he had for Lincoln AM
his country. And now want to ga,
in honor to the memory of this oil
hero, George B. Mcclellan, that hat
General U. 3. Grant had the commant
of that army at the time that Ma
commanded it, am satisfied that it
condition would have been far worse
for at that time, Gen. Lee mustered
the best disciplined army that haC
ever marched on American soil, anC
these troops were also commanded h,