The National tribune., 1909-12-30
In Honor of the Dead
An Inspiration for the Living
LINCOLN
MEMORIAL TABLET
Write for particulars
CHARLES BURROWS
RUTHERFORD, N. j.
IN DEFENSE OF MCCLELLAN.
His Mistakes and Enemics-Saving
Washington - Never Defeated-Cost
and Failure of Fighting on This
Lne"-Grant Confirms Mcclellan.

Idne"-Grant Confirms Mcclellan.
Editor National Tribune: Your stric-
lures and unfavorable mention of Gen.
Mcclellan in your Life of Lincoln" ,"
now running in The National Tribune,
l believe viii be unfavorably received
and regretted by most of the old SOL
diers who served under him. Much
could be said truthfully, perhaps,
against him of requisites in which he
was lacking in his operations against
the enemy. But his high moral char
acter. his right sense of duty, loyalty,
devotion and faithful services cannot
be controverted.
His first grievous error was at the
beginning of his command of the Army
of the Potomac, in trying in a pro-
nunciative way to direct and influence
the President in his political conduct,
an overofficiousnesS which was foreign
to his commission as a soldier. as well
as that of his being a Democrat. This
made him many enemies in the Presi-
dents political Cabinet. and their en-
nifty followed him to the end of his
career.
His second failing was his overcau-
tiousness, which caused him to lose
opportunities of distressing the enemy,
of which he could have taken advan-
tage.
His third great failing was his not
resigning after the battle of Antietam,
when all further danger to the Capital
had been removed by his driving Lee
ing to be kicked out. He should have
known that, in spite of the Presidents
good will, he would have to go soon
or late by the powerful influences work
ing to discredit and overthrow him.
His fourth and greatest error was his
allowing the Democratic nomination for
President to be thrust upon him, there
by putting him in direct opposition to
the President and creating dissensions
and unrest in the army
The time taken by him in organizing,
training and disciplining the army be-
fore taking the offensive was not time
wasted, as appears from its maintain
ing its organization intact. in spite of
all the hard blows dealt 1t by the enemy
and It's many vicissitudeS under differ
ent commanders
His mastery withdrawal of his army
from its imperiled position on the
Chickahominy to the James River by
his left flank, saving and removing
safely every part of its equipment, after
seven days of battle, and coming off
victorious at the final struggle on NAL
vern Hill, attest his ability as a COM
mander. Just upon the event of Nc
Clellan for the final assault upon Rich
mond, as had been previously agreed
upon, Stonewall Jackson left the de-
fenses Of Richmond and moved north.
This movement alarmed the Admins
tration, and Mcdowell was ordered
back.
Jackson's Withdrawal Ruse.
This was a ruse upon the part of the
enemy and SO considered by Mcclellan,
and in dispatch protesting against the
withdrawal of Mcdowell, to the Secre-
tary of War, he plainly told him he ex-
pected to hear Jacksons guns on his
right flank and rear in less than three
days. But his warning was unheeded.
Then followed the assault of Lee up
on his right at Oak Grove and Mechan-
icsville, commencing June 25. Lee suf-
fered complete defeat, but this was only
a prelude. The next day Mcclellan
was forced to abandon his strong posi-
ton without struggle, in order to face
moving upon his rear.
Not a soldier was sent to the aid of
Mcclellan, altho there were two strong
divisions in reserve protecting Wash
ington, either of which if sent would
have been able to cope with Jackson.
Failure to have Mcdowell come to his
aid at the proper time, as previously
agreed upon, and the exposed condi-
ton of his right thereby. caused the
necessity of the withdrawal of the
army to the James River, a contin-
gency which had been anticipated by
Mcclellan and partly prepared for be-
fore.
Upon the withdrawal of the army to
the James after its depletion in the
Seven Days Battle the army was not
strong enough to assault or invest Pc
-ersburg and Richmond. and waited in
Il e..
Instead Gen. Pope was |
brought from the West. and invested |
with the command OF the Army of |
North Virginia, $4,000 strong, and CIV
IN reinforcements which should have |
been sent to Mcclellan. He was sent |
south on the direct road to Richmond, |
and told by Secretary Stanton to beat |
he Little Devil (meaning McClellan) |
nto Richmond.
The strong corps of Burnside. when |
lust on the eve of joining Mcclellan, |
we're diverted another way. This was |
he condition when in August McClel- |
an received orders to evacuate his po-
'ition on the James River and embark |
lis forces to designated points to REIN
'Orce Gen Pope.
He bitterly protested against this. de-
'laring in dispatch to Secretary STAN
on that the war for the Union should |
DC fought out on the banks of the |
James River" But failing in his pro-
est. he promptly obeyed, and sent his |
rOops forward rs fast as he could pro-
'ure transportation.
AS soon as Lee found himself rid of |
he Army of the Potomac he was en-
tbled to use all his forces in rapid |
md aggressive campaign against Gen.
Pope and cripple him before any con-
adorable portion of the Army of the
Potomac could come to his assistance.
Asks to Go to the Front.
After the work of transporting his
Irmy was finished and he was at Alex
Onward to Pope except about 300 men,
o whom his command was expressly
limited by an order from Cen. Halleck.
thus. being at leisure and hearing ru-
nors that his men were not fighting
veil, he requested permission from Gen
ialleck to take a small escort and go
o the front, not to assume any COM
nand or authority, but only to be with
hem to encourage them by his pres
nee. No attention was given to his
Relieving the conditions at the front
lot what the rosy dispatches of Pope
o Halleck represented, he sent one of
lis Aids to investigate and bring him
cws of the actual condition of the
rmy. When the Aid returned and re-
orted he also brought dispatch from
'ope to Halleck. On the next day.
ept. l, he sought an interview with
zen. Halleck, and told him of the
farming conditions prevailing at the