The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-12-14

with Big Bethel and Bull Run, and our
other military exploits at that time,
they loomed up like Marengo and Aus
terlitz. AS Mcclellan was in chief
command, of course he got the credit;
and soon became the hero Of the hour.
A Beau Ideal Soldier.
AS my first commander, I saluted
and honored him; and in many re-
spects he was indeed the beau ideal of
a soldier. He certainly took hold OF
the green and awkward Army Of the
Potomac with intelligence and skill,
and soon put new life and vigor into it.
Our demoralized regiments and bri-
gades were reorganized and divisioned
our disorganiZed batteries were re-
horsed and equipped and put to drill;
our forts were overhauled; and our
line of defenses extended and strength
ened. Though his headquarters were
In g. house in the heart of Washington
60 military mistake, as I always
thoughD, yet he was in the saddle a
portion of each day. and all parts of
the army soon became familiar with
his presence and person His inspec-
tions and reviews were Of weekly oc-
currence, and, Notwithstanding current
criticisms, were constant and valua-
BILE school Of drill and discipline to
both officers and men.
Mcclellan was then moderate-sized
AiASAi, oPpnl ChtAy nOoul % years Ol dSG,
with q sharp, quick eye, clear-cut
nose, dark brown hair, mustache, and
imperial; and he sat upon his hand
some horse like q born centaur. His
uniform and horse equipments were
modest; his bearing was dignified and
soldierly; and though his jaw and chin
lacked massiveness and strength, yet,
on the whole, 1t goes without saying, he
made an excellent impression in all our
camps.
This continued we'll into the Fall
that superb Fall OF 1861. But when
hundred thousand of us-rhe very
flower of the North-aH volunteers, not
a drafted man or a substitute among
us-now we'll drilled and disciplined,
still lay idle within the defenses of
Washington, while the Confederate flag
floated unchallenged within view Of the
Capitol, it is not to be wondered at
that we began to lose faith in our
young NaneleOn: and when Winter
wore on, al till nothing was attempt
ed Except the fiascO of Balls Bluff and
the sacrifice Of poor Gen. Baker), we
naturally grew impatient and disap-
pointed.
The Peninsular Campaign.
His slow and uncertain movement in
the early Spring OF 1862 against Cen
treville, where he found only Quaker
guns" instead of the impregnable for
tifications he anticipated, did not help
his waning reputation. And when af-
terward we sailed down the Potomac
and landed in the mud before York
town, and settled down to a slow siege,
instead of marching straight after the
rctreating enemy, a good many of us
made up our minds that Richmond was
yet long way off under Little Mac. !"
months delay before Yorktown,
where our fighting was chiefly with the
spade and shovel, in bottomless mud,
while division or two Of Confederates
were permitted to hold our great army
at bay, until they got ready to retire,
did not add to our good humor.
Then came Williamsburg, with "Lit-
tie Mac" IA miles to the rear, super
intending the embarkation Of troops,
according to the Comte de Paris (Vol.
IL, page 18); which a brigade COM
mander or an Aid could have done
quite as we'll or better! Here he allowed
Hooker, with his single unsupported
division. to engage the whole rear
guard of the Confederate army, much
his superior, while the rest of our army
I25,000 strong} looked on; and only
the timely arrival OF Kearny. march
| ing to the sound of the enemy's can
non, and full Of frst-class fighting quail
tiles. saved us from rout and ruin there.
| 1t is true, Hancock came in at the
finish and occupied some redoubts near
Fort Magruder. But his fighting was
small and loss inconsiderable (but 81