The Morris County chronicle., 1902-11-14
SOLDIERS GREETING MCCLELLAN.

east whom the soldiers generany look-
ed up to with greater respect than
Burnside, and yet they could but share
his owQ doubts as to the wisdom of
placing the hero of Newbern in the
shoes of Little Mac" McClellan's de-
parture from the camps just as the
troops set out for the scene of new
adventures was the occasion of a dem
onstration which showed the deep hold
he had upon the affections of the men
he had led through many fierce battles.
The order had been given out that
there should be no formal parade of
the ranks on the day of McClellan'S
leavetaking, but the instant the favor
ite chief appeared on horseback headed
for Washington the soldiers rushed to
the roadside pellmell and began to
swing their caps and cheer in chorus
The outburst was heard farther down
the road, and other soldiers took the
cue and lined the fields on both sides
of the way. After he had ridden a
few hundred rods McClellan's pathway
was simply narrow lane between vast
swarms of soldiers, who alternately in
dulged in cheers and words of compli-
mentary greeting.
Mcclellan rode slowly down the line
on his mettlesome battle charger, Devil
Dan, waving his cap and bowing, first
to the right and then to the left, and
this continued for many miles through
the camps OF all the brigades, divisions
and corps he had led on the peninsula.
Ut was trying hour for the Army of
the Potomac and for the country as
well, and McClellans last words to the
officers and men were, 81 ask you to
stand by your new chief as you have
stood by me-"
On taking second thought the army
was disposed to congratulate itself up
on the choice of Burnside for a new
leader, since change was inevitable.
He was gallant and bold, and while he
had never held SO high and important
a command he had won small victories,
one after another, and every great gen.
eral must come to full maturity by
slow experience. The soldiers wanted
to win and would follow with enthusi-
asm any leader who promised victory.
Burnside's plan of campaign was
very elaborate and had the weakness
Of leaving the enemy and general cir
cumstances out Of account. He pro-
posed to hurry forward one corps of
troops to occupy Fredericksburg and
gather at that point rations for the
army for twelve days. Supplied for
two weeks campaign, the soldiers
would march for Richmond and attack
before Lee could bring his army to the
defense of the Confederate capital.
Marching on Richmond by way Of
Fredericksburg was only another
metnod OF transferring the army to
the peninsula. Mcclellan had taken
the army to the peninsula in April,
1862, by water, avoiding the necessity
OF lighting for the passage of the Rap
pahannock river in the vicinity Of
Fredericksburg. But with the army
close to the Rappahannock and the
enemy. so far as was known at head
quarters, far away, it seemed feasible
to steal march across the river and
strike some water base between Fred
ericksburg and Richmond
In case the army should be met by
the enemy after crossing the Kappa
hammock and passing Fredericksburg a
short march would bring it to naviga-
BILE waters, where the friendly ships
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