Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-23

ALEXANDER h. STEPHENS. VICE PRESIDENT
OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMER
ICA.
rlent and fully recognizing our own
weakness. II Beauregard does not at
tack tonight l shall look upon it as
dispensation of Providence. He ought
TO do il. Every day strengthens me. l
am leaving nothing undone 10 increase
our force: but the old general (Scotp
always comes in the way. He under
stands nothing. appreciates nothing"
Even on Sunday Little Mac" was in
the saddle from 10 10 ; and was per
secuted" till after midnight seeing the
president, senators and others of the
common people. Yet. busy as he was,
Mcclellan had time to see much of
Prince Napoleon. Of whom he speaks
often in his letters and whom he finds
an Intelligent man"
''scott the Great Obstacle"
These letters throw revealing light
on the inner nature of Mcclellan. his
strength and weakness. He is an IN
firing worker. for one thing. and is in
spring the army with his own energy.
on Aug. Q he writes: II have had 4
busy day. Started from here at I in
the morning and was in the saddle IN
til about o this evening; rode over the
advanced position on the other side of
the river. was soundly drenched in a
hard rain and have been busy ever
since my return. Things are improv
ing daily General Scott is the great
obstacle. He will not comprehend the
danger. have to fight my way against
him. Tomorrow the question viii prob
ably be decided by giving me absolute
control independently of him.
I receive letter after letter. have con
versation after conversation, calling
on me to save the nation. abiding to
the presidency, dictatorship. etc. AS ]
hope one day to be united with you
(his wife) forever in heaven. | have no
such aspiration. / would Cheerfully
take the dictatorship and agree to lay
down my life after the country is
saved / met the prince CNa-
poleom at Alexandria today and came
up with him. He says Beauregard's
head is turned"
The generals hope Of being indie
pendent of Scott was delayed for ten
days. 1t was not until Aug 90 that he
had his way and the order was given
forming the Army of the Potomac.
Still Fearing Beauregard.
On Aug. IL he writes. IF Beau
regard will give me another week or
ten days 1 will feel quite comfortable
8 gain" On the 18th his mind is still
running on the same theme. for he
says: Il am almost tired out: cannot
get one minutes rest during the day,
and sleep with one eye open. looking
out sharply for Beauregard. who, l
think. has some notion of making a
dash in this direction. General Scott
is the most dangerous antagonist
have" The next day it is even worse.
Il am in terrible place" he says.
The enemy have from three 10 four
times my force: the president. the old
general. cannot or will not see the true
state OF affairs" But that night there
Is a rift in the clouds. General Scott
Is at last opening his eyes" runs this
letter. to the fact that / am right ane
that we are IN imminent danger" On
Aug. IS he is still more hopeful. IF
Beauregard does not attack in two 7
days he has lost every chance Of sue
cess" On the 18th Mcclellan adds
IF this week passes without battle
and re-enfOrcements come in / shall
FEEL that the dangerous point &
turned"
1t is not without interest that the
enemy agreed With this estimate, for
IN the very same day, Aug. 10. the
Richmond Dispatch said that 1T is 4
90 late to attack Washington" but
ldvocated later the capture OF PhiIa-
ielphia and New York