Mcclellan's Own Story The War For The Union, The Soldiers Who Fought It, The Civilians Who Directed It, And His Relations To Them.

Mcclellan's Own Story: The War For The Union, The Soldiers Who Fought It, The Civilians Who Directed It, And His Relations To Them.

Elias Nason...

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The Life, Services, And Character Of George B. Mcclellan

George Brinton McClellan, son of George McClellan, M. D., and Elizabeth Brinton McClellan, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., Dec. 3, 1826. His school education was in that city; in 1841 and 1842 in the preparatory school attached to the University of Pennsylvania. He entered the Military Academy at West Point in 1842, graduating in 1846, when he was assigned to the Corps of Engineers as second lieutenant. In Sept. of the same year he went with the army to Mexico, where he served with distinction

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I.

When the occurrences at Fort Sumter in April, 1861, aroused the nation to some appreciation of the gravity of the situation, I was engaged in civil life as president of the Eastern Division of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, having resigned my commission as a captain of cavalry in January, 1857. My residence was then in Cincinnati, and the fact that I had been in the army threw me in contact with the leading men of the State. My old army associations had placed me in intimate relations with m

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II.

At the time of my appointment in Ohio we were cut off from direct communication with Washington in consequence of the unfortunate occurrences in Baltimore, and the attention of the national authorities was confined exclusively to the task of relieving the capital from danger and of securing its communications with the loyal States. We in the West were therefore left for a long time without orders, advice, money, or supplies of any kind, and it was clear that the different States must take care o

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Private Letters Of Gen. Mcclellan To His Wife. [June 21 To July 21, 1861.] Marietta, June 21, 1861

I must snatch a few moments to write you. We got off at 11.30 yesterday morning, and had a continual ovation all along the road. At every station where we stopped crowds had assembled to see the “Young general” gray-headed old men and women, mothers holding up their children to take my hand, girls, boys, all sorts, cheering and crying, God bless you! I never went through such a scene in my life, and never expect to go through such another One. You would have been surprised at the excitement. At

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IV.

I reached Washington late in the afternoon of Friday, July 26. I called on Gen. Scott that evening, and next morning reported to the Adjutant-general, who instructed me to call upon the President, by whom I was received cordially and informed that he had placed me in command of Washington and all the troops in its vicinity. He directed me to return to the White House at One o'clock to be present at a cabinet meeting. I called again on Gen. Scott, then commanding the Army of the United States, an

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Private Letters. [July 27 To Sept. 30, 1861.] C.

I have been assigned to the command of a division composed of the departments of Northeastern Virginia (that under McDowell) and that of Washington (now under Mansfield). Neither of them like it much, especially Mansfield; but I think they must ere long become accustomed to it, as there is no help for it. . . . I find myself in a new and strange position here: President, Cabinet, Gen. Scott, and all deferring to me. By some strange operation of magic I seem to have become the power of the land.

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VI.

Reference to any good man will show that Washington is situated on the point of confluence of the main Potomac with the Anacostia, or eastern branch thereof. The ground occupied by the city is low, though by no means flat, and is commanded from all directions by heights within the easy range of even modern Field-artillery. Moral and political considerations alike rendered it necessary to retain the seat of government in Washington, although its situation was the most unfavorable that could be co

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VII.

The organized armies of modern times consist of Two well-defined parts: the fighting force, or “Line,” and “The staff,” which directs, inspects, and supplies the former. The line is made up of infantry, artillery, cavalry, and engineer troops. As infantry can move wherever a man can set his foot, can fight on all kinds of ground, gives the most destructive fire of all the arms, and is the least expensive and most easily instructed, it constitutes the great bulk of all large armies, and is decide

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VIII.

It is a great mistake to suppose that I had the cordial support of Gen. Scott; the contrary was too much the case. While in the West I failed to obtain from him the assistance needed, and when I reached Washington I soon found that he was unnecessarily jealous of me. On the very day of my arrival he interfered, as already described, to prevent my keeping an appointment with the President, because he was not invited to be present. He directed me to ride around the streets of Washington and see th

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Chapter IX.

I have already stated in a general way what occurred between myself and some of the radical leaders shortly after I reached Washington. They then saw clearly that it would not be possible to make a party tool of me, and soon concluded that it was their policy to ruin me if possible. It had been clearly stated by Congress and the general government that the sole object of the war was the “Preservation of the Union and the prevention of the secession of the Southern States.”We fought to keep them

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Private Letters, [Oct. 1, 1861, To March 12, 1862.] Oct

Oct.— , 1861.— Yesterday rode to Chain Bridge, thence to Upton's Hill, and did not get back until after dark. . . . I can't tell you how disgusted I am becoming with these wretched politicians. .— . . . The enemy made some demonstrations up the river this morning, which prevented me from crossing the river until 1.30; then I rode to Munson's Hill, etc., and found everything going on well. We shall be ready by to-morrow to fight a battle there, if the enemy should choose to attack; and I don't th

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Chapter XI.

On the 9th of Oct. McCall's division marched from Tennally-town to Langley, on the Virginia side of the Potomac. This addition to the forces already there enabled me to push reconnoissances more actively; and as it was particularly desirable to obtain accurate information in regard to the topography of the country in front of our right, Gen. McCall was ordered to move on the 19th as far as Dranesville to cover the work of the topographical engineers directed to prepare maps of that region. On th

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XII.

I do not know that any One worthy of attention has questioned the manner in which was performed the task of converting the unorganized, defeated, and dispirited remains of McDowell's Bull Run command into the Army of the Potomacan army which so long bore on its bayonets the life and honor of the nation. Everything was to be done. An army was to be created Ab initio— out of nothing. Raw material there was, but it was completely raw, and was to be fashioned into shape. Private soldiers, non-commis

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XIII.

The organization of Army corps directed by the President's order of March 8, 1862, was the work of the President and Secretary of War, probably urged by McDowell. It was issued without consulting me and against my judgment, for from the beginning it had been my intention to postpone the formation of Army corps until service in the field had indicated what general officers were best fitted to exercise those most important commands. The mistakes of an incompetent division commander may be rectifie

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XIV.

Gen. Mcclellan: Reserves intended for Gen. Curtis will now be drawn in as rapidly as possible and sent to the Tennessee river. I purpose going there in a few days. That is now the great strategic line of the Western campaign, and I am surprised that Gen. Buell should hesitate to reinforce me. He was too late at Fort Donelson, as Gen. Hunter has been in Arkansas. I am obliged to make my calculations independent of both. Believe me, general, you make a serious mistake in having Three independent c

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XV.

In the course of description of the operations preliminary to the siege of Yorktown, attention is necessarily directed to the erroneous maps in our possession, and on which certain orders were based. This was but a single instance among many. In fact, it may be broadly stated that we had no military maps of any value. This was One of our greatest difficulties, and always seriously interfered with our movements in the early part of the war. When in presence of the enemy it was necessary to reconn

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XVI.

Soon after receiving the telegram I sent the following to the Secretary of War, dated April 5: The enemy are in large force along our front, and apparently intend making a determined resistance. A reconnoissance just made by Gen. Barnard shows that their line of works extends across the entire Peninsula from Yorktown to Warwick river. Many of them are formidable. Deserters say that they are being reinforced daily from Richmond and from Norfolk. Under the circumstances I beg that you will reconsi

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XVII.

My dear general: I have received your favor of this date by Col. Key, and hasten to say that I have already written you— Via Shipping Point— in reply, giving my reason for not having joined you. The time you proposed to proceed with me had elapsed, and particularly the difficulties of my leaving my vessel owing to the want of officers of experience to take care of her. I have explained in my note of to-day, and have repeated to Col. Key, the greatly increased strength of the fortifications as se

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Private Letters. [April 1 To May 5, 1862] M.

As soon as possible after reaching Alexandria I got the Commodore under way and “Put off.”I did not feel safe until I could fairly see Alexandria behind us. I have brought a tug with us to take back despatches from Budd's Ferry, where I shall stop a few hours for the purpose of winding up everything. I found that if I remained at Alexandria I would be annoyed very much, and perhaps be sent for from Washington.. . . Officially speaking, I feel very glad to get away from that sink of iniquity. . .

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XIX.

It appears that Gen. Johnston, the Confederate commander, regarded the position of Yorktown and the Warwick as easily held against a simple assault, but as untenable against siege operations, or when we could pass up the York or James rivers; therefore he withdrew as soon as satisfied that we were on the point of using our heavy guns. He directed the movement to commence at dusk on the 4th of May, Magruder's command to move by the Lee's Mill road, to halt at the junction of roads on the Yorktown

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XX.

It became clear that we had been opposed by only a portion of the Confederate army, at First by a single Rear-guard, which was subsequently considerably reinforced by troops brought back during the First night and the next day to hold the works as long as possible and enable their trains to escape. Longstreet's and D. H. Hill's Divisions, more than half their army, were engaged. Their losses were heavy, and we Captured eight guns and many caissons and wagons, which the deep mud prevented them fr

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Private Letters. [May 6 To May 18, 1862 Williamsburg, May 6, 1862

I telegraphed you this morning that we had gained a battle. Every hour its importance is proved to be greater. On Sunday I sent Stoneman in pursuit with the cavalry and Four batteries of Horse-artillery. He was supported by the Divisions of Hooker, Smith, Couch, Casey, and Kearny, most of which arrived on the ground only yesterday. Unfortunately I did not go with the advance myself, being obliged to remain to get Franklin and Sedgwick started up the river for West Point. Yesterday I received pre

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XXII.

White House was a very fine plantation belonging to Mrs. Gen. Lee. It was the residence of Mrs. Custis when she was married to Washington. The ceremony took place in St. Peter's Church, a lonely old building beautifully placed on a commanding hill. I observed within it a tablet commemorating a death which took place in 1690. Finding One's self alone within that historic building, it was a natural impulse to invoke the aid of God to enable me to serve the country as unselfishly and truly as did t

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XXIII.

On the 20th of May a reconnoissance had been ordered on the south side of the Chickahominy towards James river. This was accomplished by Brig. Gen. H. M. Naglee, who crossed his brigade near Bottom's bridge and pushed forward to within Two miles of James river without serious resistance or finding the enemy in force. The rest of the 4th corps, commanded by Gen. E. D. Keyes, crossed the Chickahominy on the 23d of May. On the 24th, 25th, and 26th a very gallant reconnoissance was pushed by Gen. Na

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Private Letters. [ May 20 To June 26, 1862. ] M., Tunstall's Station

. . . I moved headquarters and Four divisions here to-day, about Six miles from the White House. I rode myself to Bottom's bridge in the rain, and made a short reconnoissance of it. Found the enemy there, though not in great force. The engineers will make a close examination to-morrow morning, driving the enemy's pickets. The advanced guard also is near New bridge. We are gradually drawing near the rascals. I think they intend to fight us in front of Richmond; if they do it will be a decisive ba

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XXV.

On the 26th, the day upon which I had decided as the time for our final advance, the enemy attacked our right in strong force, and turned my attention to the protection of our communications and depots of supply. The event was a bitter confirmation of the military judgment which had been reiterated to my superiors from the inception and through the progress of the Peninsular campaign. I notified the Secretary of War in the following despatch: 12 M.— I have just heard that our advanced cavalry pi

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XXVI.

The headquarters camp at Savage's Station was broken up early on the morning of the 29th and moved across White Oak Swamp. As the essential part of this day's operation was the passage of the trains across the swamp, and their protection against attack from the direction of New Market and Richmond, as well as the immediate and secure establishment of our communications with the gunboats, I passed the day in examining the ground, directing the posting of troops, and securing the uninterrupted mov

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Private Letters. [ June 26 To Aug. 23, 1862.] M., Trent's

. . Yesterday I wished to advance our picket-line, and met with a good deal of opposition. We succeeded fully, however, and gained the point with but little loss. The enemy fought pretty hard, but our men did better. I was out there all day taking a personal direction of affairs, and remained until about 5.30 P. M., when I returned to camp, and met on my way the news that Stonewall Jackson was on his way to attack my right and rear. I rode over to Porter's soon after I reached camp, and returned

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XXVIII.

My dear Mac: I've just arrived from Washington and have not time to get ready to go up this morning, but will to-morrow. I've much to say to you and am very anxious to see you. . . . The President has ordered me to remain here for the present, and when I asked him how long he said Five or Six days. I don't know what it means; but I do know, my dear Mac, that you have lots of enemies. But you must keep cool; don't allow them to provoke you into a quarrel. You must come out all right; I'll tell yo

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XXIX.

When the troops reached the James the First want of the men was something to eat and drink, and the next a bath in the river. As I rode among the men they would cry to me for their supper, and upon my assuring them that they should have it they would give their usual cheers and be perfectly content. For Two or Three days after we reached Harrison's Bar the banks of the river were crowded all day long with the men bathing. It should be understood that in time of action every army reduces itself i

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XXX.

On the evening of Aug. 23 I sailed with my staff for Acquia creek, where I arrived at daylight on the following morning, reporting to Gen. Halleck as follows: I have reached here, and respectfully report for orders. I also telegraphed as follows to Gen. Halleck: Morell's scouts report Rappahannock Station burned and abandoned by Pope without any notice to Morell or Sykes. This was telegraphed you some hours ago. Reynolds, Reno, and Stevens are supposed to be with Pope, as nothing can be heard of

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Private Letters. [Aug. 24 To Sept. 2, 1862.] M., Acquia Creek

We reached here during the night. Sent a despatch about Six to Halleck, informing him that I had arrived here and awaited orders; also sent One to Burnside. . . . I have no reply as yet to my despatches, and am not at all impatient. I learn that all my troops are ordered to Alexandria for embarkation, so I presume they will be merged in Pope's army. If this is the case I will (if I find it proper) try for a leave of absence. . . . I learn nothing whatever of the state of affairs, not even whethe

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32 Hammerstein

One of my aides, whom I had sent to the front to bring me news as to the real state of affairs— returned, bringing a despatch from Pope, which was to be sent to Halleck by telegraph. The information Hammerstein brought proved that Pope's despatch was false throughout. On the 1st of Sept. I met Gen. Halleck at his office in Washington, who by verbal order directed me to take charge of Washington and its defences, but expressly prohibited me from exercising any control over the active troops under

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XXXIII.

Next day I rode to the front of Alexandria, and was engaged in rectifying the positions of the troops and giving orders necessary to secure the issuing of the necessary supplies, etc. On the 3d the enemy had disappeared from the front of Washington, and the information which I received induced me to believe that he intended to cross the upper Potomac into Maryland. This materially changed the aspect of affairs and enlarged the sphere of operations; for, in case of a crossing in force, an active

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Private Letters. [Sept. 2 To Sept. 14, 1862.]

I was surprised this morning, when at breakfast, by a visit from the President and Halleck, in which the former expressed the opinion that the troubles now impending could be overcome better by me than any One else. Pope is ordered to fall back upon Washington, and, as he re-enters, everything is to come under my command again! A terrible and thankless task. Yet I will do my best, with God's blessing, to perform it. God knows that I need His help. I am too busy to write any more now. Pray that G

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XXXVI.

On the night of the Battle of South Mountain orders were given to the corps commanders to press forward their pickets. at early dawn. This advance revealed the fact that the enemy had left his positions, and an immediate pursuit was ordered; the cavalry, under Gen. Pleasonton, and the Three corps under Gens. Sumner, Hooker, and Mansfield (the latter of whom had arrived that morning and assumed command of the 12th [Williams's] corps), by the national turnpike and Boonsborough; the Corps of Gens.

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Private Letters. [ Sept. 15 To Oct. 1, 1862.]

Telegram— Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, Sept. 15.— We have carried the heights near here after a hard engagement, and gained a glorious victory. All your particular friends well....

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Sept. 15, Monday, 9.30 M., Bolivar

. . . Just sent you a telegram informing you that we yesterday gained a glorious and complete victory; every moment adds to its importance. I am pushing everything after them with the greatest rapidity, and expect to gain great results. I thank God most humbly for His great mercy. How glad I am for my country that it is delivered from immediate peril! I am about starting with the pursuit and must close this. . . . If I can believe One-Tenth of what is reported, God has seldom given an army a gre

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Sept. 18, 8 A. M., Camp Near Sharpsburg

. . . We fought yesterday a terrible battle against the entire rebel army. The battle continued Fourteen hours and was terrific; the fighting on both sides was superb. The general result was in our favor; that is to say, we gained a great deal of ground and held it. It was a success, but whether a decided victory depends upon what occurs to-day. I hope that God has given us a great success. It is all in His hands, and there I am content to leave it. The spectacle yesterday was the grandest I cou

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Sept. 20, 8 A. M., Camp Near Sharpsburg

. . . Yesterday the enemy completed his evacuation of Maryland, completely beaten. We got many prisoners, muskets, colors, cannon, etc. His loss in killed and wounded was very great; so was ours, unfortunately. Gen. Mansfield was killed (or rather died of his wounds). Gens. Sedgwick, Richardson, Dana, Brooks, Hooker, Weber, Rodman, and Two others were wounded on Wednesday. Poor Henry Kingsbury died of his wounds the day after the battle. The battle lasted Fourteen hours, and was, without doubt,

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Sept. 20, 9 P. M., Camp Near Sharpsburg

. . . I feel that I have done all that can be asked in twice saving the country. If I continue in its service I have at least the right to demand a guarantee that I shall not be interfered with. I know I cannot have that assurance so long as Stanton continues in the position of Secretary of War and Halleck as general-in-chief. . . . I can retire from the service for sufficient reasons without leaving any stain upon my reputation. I feel now that this last short campaign is a sufficient legacy fo

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Sept. 21, Sunday, A. M.

. . . Do you know that I have not heard One word from Halleck, the President, nor the Secretary of War about the last great battle! All, except fault-finding, that I have had since leaving Washington was One from the President about the Sunday battle, in which he says, “God bless you and all with you!”That is all I have; but plenty from Halleck couched in almost insulting language and prophesying disaster! I telegraphed him last night that I regretted the uniformly fault-finding tone of his desp

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Sept. 22, 9 A. M.

. . . I rode out on the battle-field yesterday. The burial of the dead is by this time completed; and a terrible work it has been, for the slain counted by Thousands on each side. . . . I look upon this campaign as substantially ended, and my present intention is to seize Harper's Ferry and hold it with a strong force; then go to work and reorganize the army ready for another campaign. . . . I shall not go to Washington, if I can help it, but will try to reorganize the army somewhere near Harper

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Sept. 23, Tuesday, 8 A. M., Sharpsburg Camp

. . . The weather is splendid, though I should like a little rain to raise the Potomac slightly. We are all well. I am entirely well now, and rather better for my little attack of illness. . . ....

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Sept. 25, 7.30 A. M.

. . . We are so near the mountains that it is quite cold at night. . . . I think the health of our men is improving much: they look a great deal better than they did on the Peninsula; eyes look brighter and faces better. . . . My plans are not easily given, for I really do not know whether I am to do as I choose or not. I shall keep on doing what seems best until brought up with a round turn. My own judgment is to watch the line of the Potomac until the water rises, then to concentrate everythin

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Sept. 26, 10.30 P. M., Sharpsburg Camp

. . . Pretty well tired out by a long ride to Harper's Ferry to-day. I rode down in my ambulance, but when there took a long and fatiguing ride on horseback over the Maryland Heights to determine upon the question of its defence. I did not have time to go over the Virginia side, but propose doing that to-morrow. Our camp will be thrown a little down in that direction to-morrow, so I shall not have quite so far to travel in returning. . . . It is so cool this evening that I have a fire in front o

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Sept. 29, Sharpsburg, A. M.

. . . I think secesh has gone to Winchester. The last I heard last night was to that effect. If he has gone there I will be able to arrange my troops more with a view to comfort, and, if it will only rain a little so as to raise the river, will feel quite justified in asking for a short leave. . . . We are having very fine weather. . . . Not yet even have I a word from any One in Washington about the battle of the Antietam, and nothing in regard to South Mountain, except from the President in th

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Oct. 1, 7.30 A. M.

. . A cloudy day. If it does not rain I think I will go to Williamsport and Hagerstown to-day, to see that part of the country; for there is no telling but that I might have to fight a battle there One of these days, and it is very convenient to know the ground. In this last battle the rebels possessed an immense advantage in knowing every part of the ground, while I knew only what I could see from a distance. . . . I rode all over the battle-field again yesterday, so as to be sure that I unders

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XXXVIII.

The night brought with it grave responsibilities. Whether to renew the attack on the 18th, or to defer it, even with the risk of the enemy's retirement, was the question before me. After a night of anxious deliberation and a full and careful survey of the situation and condition of our army, the strength and position of the enemy, I concluded that the success of an attack on the 18th was not certain. I am aware of the fact that, under ordinary circumstances, a general is expected to risk a battl

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XXXIX.

On the 25th of Oct. the pontoon-bridge at Berlin was constructed, there being already One across the Potomac and another across the Shenandoah at Harper's Ferry. On the 26th Two divisions of the 9th corps and Pleasonton's brigade of cavalry crossed at Berlin and occupied Lovettsville. The 1st, 6th, and 9th corps, the cavalry, and Reserve artillery crossed at Berlin between the 26th of Oct. and the 2d of Nov. The 2d and 5th corps crossed at Harper's Ferry between the 29th of Oct. and 1st of Nov.

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Private Letters. [Oct. 1 To Nov. 10, 1862. ]

. . . Received this morning a mysterious despatch from which I inferred that the President was on his way hither. Went to Harper's Ferry and found him with half a dozen Western officers. He remains at Harper's Ferry to-night. . . . . . . I found the President at Gen. Sumner's headquarters at Harper's Ferry; none of the cabinet were with him, merely some Western officers, such as McClernand and others. His ostensible purpose is to see the troops and the battle-field; I incline to think that the r

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