The National tribune., 1907-07-11

Ian did at this time were his grand re-
views. which We're of much value in
teaching the men to move together in
great masses, and also had moral eff
feet in the exhibition of the numbers
and might of the Union army. His first
grand review was held toward the close
of September, when he actually had
10000 men of all arms upon the
plains around Bailey's Crossroads.
where they were marched. counter
marched and paraded in superb style to
the ediiication and great hope of Presi-
dent Lincoln and his Cabinet. Tho this
was a far larger army than was ever
before seen on any field on this CONT
nent, and but rarely equaled in Napo-
Icons gigantic wars in Europe, there
was a fear expressed that the audacious
Beauregard might take advantage OF
this aSSemblage to attack some part OF
the line and force his way into Wash
ington-a most absurd fear, but which
was however, countenanced by many OF
the higher officials of the army The
only aggressive movements which Me
Clellan permitted were the occupation
of Lewinsvilla. Oct. 8; Vienna, oct. 16;
Fairfax Cou't House, Oct. II. On Oct
l6 Gen. Geary. under orders from Gen.
Banks, made a movement which secured
the possession of Bolivar Hights, over
looking Harpers Ferry.
Tine Middle OF October.
Gen. Mcclellan gives in his report the
following statement as to the strength
of his army at the middle of October:
by Oct. 15 the number of troops in
and about Washington, inclusive Of the
garrison of the city of Alexandria, the
City Guard and the forces on the Mary
land shore of the Potomac below Wash
ington and as far as Cumberland above,
the troops under the command of Gen.
Dix at Baltimore and its dependencies
:-ere as follows:
Total present for duty. ....... 133,201
Total sick ........... $3.50
Total IN confinement. ........ 1,15G
Aggregate present ......... 143,64T
Aggregate absent ........... S,404
Totai ....... ........... 152,O5i
Extracts From McCIeIIan's Letters.
81 had very complimentary dis
patch from Gen. Scott last night. He
said he was charmed with my energy,
movements and success Pretty vel!
for the old man. / hope to deserve
more Of him in the future"
Cox lost more men in getting de-
tachment thrashed than did in routing
two armies. 1t is absolutely
, necessary for me to go in person.
have no one to whom / can intrust the
operation. More than that, | don't feel
sure that the men will fight very well
uader anyone but myself. They have
confidence in me, and will do anything
that | put them at
July 80 went to the Senate to get
it thru, and was quite overwhelmed by
the concentrations / received and the
respect with which l was treated. |
suppose half dozen made the remark
/ am becoming so much used to: Why,
| how young you look, and yet an old
soldier II seems to strike everybody V
that ] am very young. They give me
my way in everything. full swing and
unbounded confidence. All tell me that
/ am held responsible for the fate of the
| Nation, and that all its resources shall
be placed at my disposal. 1t is an i'm
mense task that 1 have on my hands,
| but | believe that | can accomplish it,
| When ! was in the Senate Chamber to-
day and found those old men flockine
around me. when l afterward stood in
| the library and saw the crowd gather
| ing around to stare at me, | began To
| feel how great the task committed TO
me. Oh, how sincerely / pray God that
] may be endowed with the wisdom and
courage necessary to accomplish the
work..
Aug 4.-It made me feel little
strangely when ] went to the President $
] last evening. with the old General lean
ing on me. i could see that many
marked the contrast
Aug. 16.-I am here in a terrible
place. The enemy have three or four
times my force. The President, the old
General. cannot or will not see the true
state of affairs. Most of my troops are
demoralized by the defeat of Bull Run.
Some regiments even mutinous.
| If the enemy attacks I will try to mako
my movements as rapid and desperate