Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-02
STATEMENT OF HIS VIEWS
GEN. McCLELLAN's IDEAS RE
aARDINo EAST TENNESSEE.
Wise Strategic Movement Com
munication From Col. Felix Alex
ander Reeve, Volunteer Soldier.

Referring to the views Of Gen. George II.
Mcclellan as to the advisabiity of the
Union forces occupying east Tennessee.
Col Felix Alexander Reeve late colonel of
| the sth Regiment of Tennessee Infantry
| In the civil war. writes to The Star as fol-
lows:
Next Thursday the statue erected in
honor Of Gen. George b. Mcclellan will be
| unveiled with appropriate ceremonies. The
orators Of the occasion will extol In BEATING
words the splendid qualities of Gen. Nc
Clellan as soldier and a. a private citi-
zen.
las an east Tennessee loyalist and q
volunteer soldier in the civil war and in be-
half of the loyal people Of my section of the
country. would like to invite attention to
the views entertained and repeatedly
pressed by Gen. Mcclellan as early as 1861
as to the duty and propriety of occupying
eastern Tennessee, as wise strategic
movement as well as for the protection OF
the Union people of that isolated section.
Wrote to Gen. Buell..
"On the 25th of November. 1861. Gen.
Mcclellan wrote Ben Beull as follows:
"T am still firmly impressed with
the great necessity OF making the move
ment on eastern Tennessee with the least
possible delay. I am still convinced
that political and strategical considerations
render prompt movement in force on
eastern Tennessee imperative. The object
to be gained is to cut the communication
between the Mississippi valley and eastern
Virginia: to protect our Union friends in
- III YTn;, ~ a. aaotn .me t Sonelt ~ .,t
state. II there are causes which
Nit 20 tha nannsst,n. S,,, T O., III, m.s .h.
moyer,ent nv Knnx,,,,,a :. ohsn,rta,. nana.
sary, II II Is possible to effect It."
Again, on the 10Th. Of November. he
49, a.Keen mn the hearts NJ the Tenne.-
seeaps Male them feeI that far iron,
any Intention of desertine them. all will
be done TO sustain them. Be sure to main
tain their ardor. for n will avail Won much
in the future. I think we owe IL to
our friends in eastern Tennessee to pro-
tect them at all hazards. First, secure that;
them IL you possess the means. carry Nash
VILE
ION the Sd OF December. 1861 he wrote to
Gen. Buell. again: 4 inclose two letters
which were referred to me by the President
ama were Inn. in.ended ror your eye 90 SO ,ee,-
Intense regard for the noble Union men OF
eastern TENNESSEE: that you will overlook
ail mere matters OF form. and that you VIII
Ton ~ wen .o .n,,nanti1 $500. o,,r ~
lection. I understand your movements and
fully concur in their propriety. but must
still urge the occupation OF eastern Tennes-
| see as a duty we owe to our gallant friends
there who have not hesitated to espouse our
cause. Please send. then. with the least
possible delay. troops enough to protect
/ these men. 1 still feel sure that the best
stratesical move In this case will be that
dictated by the simple feelings of humanity.
We must preserve these noble fellows from
harm; everything urges us to do that
faith. interest and loyalty. For the sake
| Of those eastern Tennesseeans who have
taken part with us I would gladly sacrifice
mere military advantages; they deserve our
protection. and at all hazards they must
| have It. Today ordered 10000 excel
! lent arms to be sent to you at Louisville.
have directed all your acquisitions to be
! filled at once. You may fully rely on my