IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON: Stirring Address from McClellan to his Army; The Army to be Brought Face to Face with the Enemy (3/16/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/16/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE, Va., March 14, 1862.

Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac:

For a long time I have kept you inactive; but not without a purpose. You were to be disciplined, armed and instructed. The formidable artillery you now have had to be created. Other armies were to move and accomplish certain results. I have held you back, that you might give the death-blow to the rebellion that has distracted our once happy country. The patience you have shown, and your confidence in your General, are worth a dozen victories.

These preliminary results are now accomplished I feel that the patient labors of many months have produced their fruit. The Army of the Potomac is now a real army, magnificent in material, admirable in discipline end construction, and excellently equipped and armed. Your commanders are all that I could wish.

The moment for action has arrived, and I know that I can trust in you to save our country. As I ride through your ranks, I see in your faces the sure prestige of victory. I feel that you will do whatever I ask of you.

The period of inaction has passed. I will bring you now face to face with the rebels, and only pray that God may defend the right. In whatever direction you may move, however strange my actions may appear to you, ever bear in mind that my fate is linked with yours, and that all I do is to bring you where I know you wish to be -- on the decisive battle-field. It is my business to place you there. I am to watch over you as a parent over his children, and you know that your General loves you from the depths of his heart.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4046841/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Important from Washington: Stirring Address from Gen. McClellan to his Army – 2
A Fight Down the Potomac: Engagement between the Gunboats Yankee and Anacosta and the Rebel Batteries at Aquia Creek – 2-3
News from Winchester: Another Skirmish with Ashby’s Cavalry – 3
The New-Madrid Evacuation: Immense Amount of War Material Left Behind by the Rebels – 3
Expedition Against Island No. 10: Commodore Foote Gone Down with his Gun and Mortar Boats – 3
The Blessings of Martial Law: Society in the Rebel Capital – 3
“A Gallant Deed” – 3
Serious Railroad Accident: Train on the Hudson River Railroad Thrown into the Water – 4
The Late Naval Engagement: The Monitor and the Merrimac – 4
The Note of Battle – 4
Editorial: The Romance of War – 4-5
Affairs in Nashville – 5

[Hammerhead]

I am just wondering why you post Civil War stuff every day. You receive less than a half a dozen comments on every one of your posts.

Is it a hobby or just a routine? Do you belong to some Civil War club?

It reminds me of all the Catholic postings on this website that nobody’s interested in.

[patriotico67]

https://mwi.usma.edu/for-want-of-a-leader-lessons-on-mission-command-from-mcclellans-failures-at-antietam/

‘For Want of a leader’
LESSONS ON MISSION COMMAND FROM MCCLELLAN’S FAILURES AT ANTIETAM

I think the events depicted in the article I am here sharing are emblematic of the reasons why we should not admire Mclellan. However potent his rhetoric was, he proved to be quite impotent as a military leader

[Tai_Chung]

I like these nuggets of history

I hope Zelensky can soon give the same speech

[Not_Who_U_Think]

Perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoy reading these. Knowing how the book turns out, you can examine the events and people as things unfolded.

This address by McClellan is a good example of the rap on his command coming later. Too cautious, too plodding to be an effective general. But he loved his troops. And reading his words, you can sense his pride... before his fall.

Much like the World War Two dispatches you posted earlier, these are reflective of the past and a good template by which to examine out world today.

[nicollo]

McClellan... oh how history turns.

Reading through past news reports is always revealing of human nature, especially as to the utter isolation of the present tense.

[budj]

"...we should not admire Mclellan..."

Mclellan should burn in military hell. He could have ended the Civil War at Antietam if he had committed his reserves. It ended up a stalemate, with Lee escaping across the Potomac after the bloodiest single day in American history. Two years later Lee came back and lost at Gettysburg.