Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-03


fary figure. having the manner of a kind
and self-reliant man. The next time 1 met
him was in our classroom, where he re-
placed for two or three days special friend
of his. Lieut. Samuel Jones of Virginia who
was the constant Instructor of our class
McClellan's quiet dignity won the regard
of my classmates, and his gentle voice and
kind personality drew US strongly to him.
The next time came near him was after
ne had assumed command of the armies of
the United States, succeeding Gen. Winfield
scott In 1851. He gave me a pleasant recog-
milton when l was Introduced to him. but
aIler that saw him at distance. When
Went TO headquarters upon any Grand
after l became general officer I ALWAYS
met his superb adjutant general Seth Will
nams, whom, coming from my native state.
had known well for many years; and a, SO
McClellan's chief of staff Gen. Marcy with
whom had served in Florida when he was
a captain In the 9TH infantry and I was
upon the STAFF of Gen. Harvey as ordnance
omcer. These two officers could give me ali
the Information that was entitled to have.
Changed the Confusion.
Mcclellan. after he had changed the con-
fusion which existed after Bull Run in and
about Washington into a complete and
thoroughly systematic order. greatly
desired to prevent pronounced confed-
crates from crossing over from Vir-
sinis into Maryland. with a view tn
was commanding brigade at Bladens-
burg at the time. and by McClellan's direc-
ton was sent into the lower part of Mary
land to distribute my forces and do what T
could Just before and during the time of
the election terrible storm came on prior
to this political campaign, and the
onicers at Washington hardly thought that
the troops could be moved but managed To
start In the storm. enlarged the railroad
orlose so as to cross the boiling creek then
overrunning its banks. and made the march
through deep mud. and so thoroughly A.
compHsiled the work given me to do-for
was very ambitious then to get credit at
nc oeuqudE lers-that succeeded In winning
we special good will and high commenda
uon or Gen. Mcclellan. / believe after that
whenever he mentioned my name he snoke
klndly of me- He was pleased at the re-
III Ialssahce l made as his rear guard to
the TIA ppah hammock. just before going to the
peninsula, in the spring of 1862 He asked
VINO was In command of Summers rear
guard on the upper line toward Chain
bridge after the second battle of RulI Pm
Some one told him General Howard He
mand' - " @oiii-
met him on reviews before and after
Antietam. and spent some little time in
ais tent AT Rectortown, Va, the day he
Iore he was unexpectedly relieved from
his command by Burnside. and 1 turned
my uiNlsioH that ne and his friends
might pass 1t in review at Warrenton,
Just as he was leaving the Army of the
Potomac after bidding US a final goodbye.
At Battle of Fair Oaks.
II was under his command at the battle
or Fair Oaks. Va, and after being wounded
spent the next two months in Maine The
people OF Maine were so exceedingly anx-
fous concerning matters at the front that
they would not leave me much rest
began ten days after my arrival, at the
earnest solicitation of Gov. washburn. to
make addresses. and with my good wife
went all over the state, helping the gov
ernor to all his quota OF troops required
from that state. Everywhere I went ]
spoke as strongly as 1 could for Mcclellan.
answering the objections the newspapers
had made TO him as commander and
showing as well as I could how he had
brought order out OF confusion after Bull
Run; how he had fortified Washington,
ana so secured the capital; how he had
thoroughly systematized everything touch
Ing each division, and. In fact had sub
stantially created. equipped. and gotten
ready for service the Army OF the Potomac
ana his subsequent successes in four bat
Ties on the peninsula
The last time 1 was with him at Rector
town. Va, he used these words: Burn
side Is pure man and a man of In
tegrity OF purpose. and such a man cannot
go far astray.' A little later ne added: I
nave been long enough in command of a
large army to learn the real insignihcance
OF any man unless he depend upon a Power
above. Therefore. when 1 think of him
today. independent of political considera-
tions. / say to myself and my intimate
friends: First. Mcclellan was an able
and good officer, much needed at the time
OF his selection for the great work that
he inaugurated': second, that he was a
thoroughly loyal man throughsand through,
loyal to the cause of the Union and re-
manned So: third. that he was q very
complete gentleman. sincere In his convie-