Year: 1861

Special Correspondence OF the Philadelphia Enquirer


WAsBlNGroN, Oct. ia few days
since, alter the advance had been made
upon Townsville, General Mcclellan and
his staff, accompanied by Brigadier Gener
al Fitz John Porter and the Mcclellan
Dragons, left Smoot's Hill and rode along
the outposts OF our army in the direction of
Falls Church. 1t was cur good fortune to
accompany the party on their trip, and an
opportunity was afforded US upon that oc.
casion of closely scanning the conduct Of
our young Ge eral.


AS the General travelled along the road,
mounted on fine sorrel horse, Gen. Porter
took up his position on the right, while a
brother, DR.. John Mcclellan, of your city,
rode upon his left. Then came the mems,
bers of the staff, and after them McOef'
lans body guard, who followed close upon
the heels OF the horses ridden 10y the prin-
ces, in order that they might be ready at a
seconds warning to hasten to the side OF
their General should any harm beIalI him
AT times it was necessary for safety to avoid
the regular road and take to the woods,
through which the horses plunged, as
though anxious to escape from locality
that might result in injury to the life Of
him whom their riders have sworn to de.
fend and protect.


Oft and again as the cavalcade emerged
from the woods and came to an opeG space
at the roadside. the troop was halted, ard
the General advancing some yards ahead Of
the main body, enjoyed himself tor a few
moments in scanning the country around
with a field glass, which be carried sus-
pended at his side. Not word was said
nor hardly sound disturbed the stiffness of
the scene, save it might be the neighing of
some steed, who chsfed at bis bit and i'm.
patiently paved the ground with his hoof.
In McClellan's counteDance theie was the
same fxedness of expression as we have re-
peatedly spoken of On other occasions. Not
regiment OF cavalry on tie hill top yonder
it would seem, could have moved muscle
of his face. Perfectly absorbed as he seems
to be, in contemplating the scene around
him, yet his mind did not appear to be in
the least degree abstracted, for he instantly
rep Cd TO question addressed to him by
General Porter.


Presently, one of the orderIes of the
~
detail eight OF bis cavalry, to escort the
General intO little copse of woods 20 the
right OF the roaa. and even before bis mes.
sage is delivered, Mcclellan bas already
dashed down little cowpaih leading to the
point nsmed. Almost in the twinkling Of
an eye the guard is after him. and after
Captain Barker had given the order to his
men to dismount, until the Generals return
we bad short conversation with that gen
tleman, under fine tree to the left CT the
road.


"Do you notice." said We, " how the Dec
tor (reterring to Gen. McClelau's relative)
watches bis brother ?"


Watches him !" replied the Captain, his
face radiant with pride at the mention of
the name; "how can he help but watch
him ? He loves him y and, in lower voice
he added, and who does not love him i? L
was with the General throughout his tour
in Western Virginia, and have grown so
attached to him tina. dread beirg out OF
his presence. He has the heart of woS
man so far as affection for his soldiers is
concerned, aud, during his campaign in
Western Virginia, no sick volunteer by the
wayside can say that the General ever
passed him without seeing that his wants
were attended to. Brave as lion, yet soft
and gentle as young girl, he is everywhere
beloved by those who are thrown in his
company"


We replied that We had heard the same
remark before, and that We were now con-
vinced of its truth.


"You see those men there" said the
Captain, directing our attention to the sol-
diers of his command, who stood at the
side of their horses, in the road below
swell, there is not a man of them whose