The National tribune., 1904-02-11

tion of all available forces around Rich
mond, and there deliver decisive battle. (2)
These views We're, however, overruled, and
it was determined to hold Yorktown at
least until HHger should have dismantled
the Notifications at Norfolk, destroyed
the naval establishment, and evacuated the
seaboard-a step that was now felt to be
a military necessity. To carry out this
policy, in view of which it was determined
to hold the lines of Yorktown as long as
practicable, reenforcements were from time
to time sent forward from the army at
Richmond, and soon afterward Gen. john
ston went down and personally took COM
mand.
UNHELPED ~ NAVY.
In his plans for forcing the enemy's de-
fenses, there were two auxiliaries on which
Gen. Mcclellan had confidently counted,
work of the operation of carrying York.
town. The first Of these auxiliaries was
the navy, by the aid of whose powerful
armament he designed to demOlish the
water-batteries at Yorktown and GlOu-
cester Point, and then push a force upon
West Point, at the head of the York River,
thus turning the line of defenses on the
Warwick. But, upon applying to Flag.
Officer GOldsborough for the cooperation of
the navy, he was informed by that officer
that no naval force could be spared for
that purpose, since he regarded the works
as too strong for his available vessels. (3)
UNAVAILABLE ALTERNATIVE PLAN.
The second project was to land heavy
force in the rear Of Gloucester Point, turn
Yorktown by that method and opening up
the York River. This task he had assigned
to McDowell's Corps, which was to be the
last to embark at Alexandria, and which
should execute this operation in case the
army found itself brought to halt by the
peninsula defenscs. But on the very day
on which the army arrived before York
town, Gen. Mcclellan was met by an or
der(4) of the President, to which refer
ence has already been mades detaching Nc
Dowell's Corps from his command, and re-
tanning it in front of Washington.
NERVOUS FOR THE CAPITAL.
That this measure was faulty in princi-
pie and very unfortunate in it's results, can
now be readily acknowledged without i'm
putting any really unworthy motive to Pres
| ident Lincoln. When Mr.. Lincoln saw the
| Army Of the Potomac carried away in ships
out Of his sight, and learnt that hardly
2O,0OO men had been left in the works of
| Washington. Though above thrice that
| number was within CALI, it is not difficult
| to understand how he should have become
| nervous as to the safety of the National
Capital, and, SO feeling, should have re-
| In this he acted from what may be called
the common-sense view of the matter. But,
| in war, as in the domain of science, the
truth often transcends, and even contra
diets, common sense. 1t required more
than common sense, it required the intui-
tion of the true secret of war, to know
| that the p, 600 men under Gen. Mcdowell
would really avail more for the defense OF
| the Capital, II added to the Army OF the
Potomac on the Peninsula, thus enabling
| that army to push vigorously it's offensive
| intent, than il actually held in front OF
| Washington. This Mr.. Lincoln neither
knew nor could be expected to know; and
il is precisely because the principles tina,
govern military affairs are peculiar and Of q
i 2. This exposition of the views and coun
sells of Gen. Johnston / derive from him
self. 1t is noteworthy that Mcclellan ex
pected to do precisely what his antagonis
assumed he would do--reduce York
town by the aid Of the navy, and Civ,
general battle before Richmond.
3. Mcclellan: Report, D. TO- 1t is du,
to say, that Commodore Goldsborough prof
fered the cooperation Of n naval force, pro
vided Gloucester Point should be- firs
, turned by the army. Report ON the Con
J duet OF the War, p. 632.
j 4. This order. dated April 4, and re
ceiyed April 8, il as follows:
Observation-Disclosures OFT1cE,
;, "April 4, 1862.
/ "By direction of the President, Gen. Nc
Doweil's Army Corps has been detache.
; from the force under your immediate com
, mand. and the General is ordered to repor
to the Secretary of War.~ Letter by mail
!. IL. THOMAS. Adjutant- General.
"GES. McCLELLAN.