Year: 1861




special correspondent of the Philadelphia In
quirer, under date of October 18th, says:


A few days since, after the advance had been
made upon Lewnsville, Gen. Mcclellan and his
staff accompanied by Brigadier General Fitz
John Porter and the Mcclellan Dragons. left
Smoot Hill and rode along the outpost of our
army in the direction of Falls Church. 1t was
our good fortune to accompany the party on
their trip, and an opportunity was afforded us
upon that occasion of closely scanning the con-
duct of our young General. AS the General
travelled along the road, mounted on fine sorrel
horse, Gen. Porter took up bis position on the
right, while brother DR.. Jno. Mcclellan, of
your city. rode upon his left. Then came the
members of the staff, and after them McClellan's
body guard, who followed close upon the heels
of the horses ridden by the princes, in order that
they might be ready, at seconds warning to
hasten to the side of their General should any
harm befall him. AT times it was necessary for
safety to avoid the road and take to the woods,
through which the horses plunged though
anxious to escape from locality that ght
result in injury TO the life of him whom their
riders have sworn to defend and protect.


Oft and again as the cavalcade emerged from
the woods, and came to an open space at the
roadside, the troops was halted, and the General
advancing some yards ahead of the main body
enjoyed himself for few moments in scanning
the country around with field glass, which he
carried suspended at his side. Not word was
said, or hardly sound disturbed the stiffness of
the scene, save it might be the neighing of some
steend, who chafed at his bit and impatiently
paved the ground with his boots. In McCellans
countenance there was the same fixedness of ex.
preston rs we have repeatedly spoken of on
other occasions Not q regiment of cavalry on
the hill top yonder, it would SEEM could have
moved muscle of his face. Perfectly absorbed,


.slat.
around him, yet his mind did not appear to he in
the least degree distracted, for he instantly re
piled to a question addressed to him by General
Porter. Presently one of the Orderlies of the
Generals requests that Captain Barker will detail
eight of his cavalry to escort the General into a
little copse of woods to the right of the road,
and even before his message is delivered McClel-
Ian has already dashed down little COW path
leading to the point named. Almost in the
twnkling of an eye the guard is after him, and
after aptain Barker had given the command to
his men to dismount until the Generals return,
we had q short conversation with that gentleman,
under fine tree to the left of the road.


Do you notice." said we, d" how the Doctor
(referring to Gen. McClellan's relative) watches
his 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 !;
and in a lower voice he added, " and who does
not love him. | was with the General through
out his tour in Western Virginia, and | have
grown so attached to him that dread being out
of his presence. He has the heart of woman so
far as his affection for his soldiers is concerned
and during his campaign in Western Virginia,
no sick volunteer by the wayside can say that
the General ever passed by him without seeing
that his wants were attended to. Bold as lion,
yet soft and gentle as young girl, he is every
where beloved by those who are thrown into his
company"


We replied that we had heard the same report
BEFORE and that now we were convinced of its
truth.


" You see those men there said the Captain,
directing our attention to the soldiers of his com
mand, who stood at the side of their horses in
the road below" we'll, there is not a man OF
them whose life is not pledged to defend their
General. They feel that they are Mcclellan
Body Guard, and, in truth, like the Old Guard
of Napoleon, they would sooner be cut down,
man after man, in the very sight of the General,
than that hair of his head should be harmed"


just then Mcclellan returned from the spot
where he had been making reconnaissance, and
Immediately the body was again in motion he
riding at the head in the midst of his staff, his
broad form gracefully yielding to the gentle
movement of his steed.


Arriving at the Loudon and Hampshire Rail
road, crossing the foot of this road, General
Porter left the party and the cavacade moved
on towards Falls Church.