THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: Gen. McClellan’s Movement said to be an Entire Success (8/16/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 8/16/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

PHILADELPHIA, Friday, Aug. 15

There is a rumor current here, which is based on good authority, that Gen. MCCLELLAN's late movements on the Peninsula have been conducted with entire safety to his command.

THE EXCELSIOR BRIGADE AT MALVERN

THE RECONNOISSANCE-OUR PRISONER-APPEARANCE OF THE BATTLE-FIELD-A SECESH WOMAN THE ONLY MOURNER AT THE FUNERAL OF A YANKEE BOY

Correspondence of the New-York Times.

CAMP NEAR HARRISON's LANDING, Va., Saturday, Aug. 9, 1862.

Long ere you will have received this, you will have learned by telegraph of the successful reconnoissance to Malvern Hills. The Excelsior Brigade, as usual, was on hand, for when did the Army of the Potomac make a move in which they did not participate, and so, while Gen. SICKLES was appealing to the firemen of New-York for men to fill up his sheltered brigade, that brigade was quietly but swiftly marching toward the scene of a contest never to be forgotten.

They left camp about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and marched until after midnight. All agreed that they never witnessed such a beautiful march. The roads were as level as a barn floor -- untraveled as they had been, there was no dust, and as they silently moved along the light of the full moon was reflected from the forest of glittering bayonets. At last they halted for the night, and bivouacked under that cloudless, star-lit sky.

Just as day was breaking all were again drawn in line, and were about starting, when we stacked our guns. The Excelsior Brigade were drawn up in line, and to their left was BRAMHALL's Light Battery and to the left of that a barn. In that barn a Captain of rebel cavalry and his Orderly were stepping. We had camped so quietly that they did not awaken,

[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

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Army of the Potomac: Gen. McClellan’s Movement said to be an Entire Success – 2
From the Army of Virginia: The Rebels Still Retreating Beyond the Rapidan – 2-3
Base Ball – 3
News from Washington: Troops Under the New Call Beginning to Arrive – 3-4
Black Thews versus White – A Popular Fallacy Removed – 4
Editorial: The Army of the Potomac – 4
Editorial: Twelve Hundred Thousand Men! – 4-5
Rebel Victories via Chicago – 5
The Badger Letter – 5
Gen. H.W. Benham – 5
Loyalty Needing Explanation – 5

[KarlInOhio]

There is a rumor current here, which is based on good authority, that Gen. MCCLELLAN's late movements on the Peninsula have been conducted with entire safety to his command.

Your purpose is to be a danger to the Confederates, not "entire safety" for your command. OK, I'm 160 years late, but McClellan is a perpetual example of how not to be a wartime general.

[BroJoeK]

"Base Ball – 3"

I gather, this is some kind of new sport?
Reported on page 3, the Gothams beat the Mutuals at Elysian Fields!
That must be quite the park!

Gothams -- 15
Mutuals -- 14
Three home runs, wonder how far off the fence is?

So I've read where these clubs were formed as recently as 1858, now nobody knows yet if the game will ever really catch on with the public.

What do you think? ;-)

Elysian Fields (purported):

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I started seeing base ball stories in the NY Times in 1860. According to those the games attracted large crowds, 15,000 folks for important games. Even the ladies enjoyed them. The stories stopped entirely after Fort Sumter and are only recently appearing again. But I think the interest is there and the sport will probably gain favor. As long as the officiating stays on the up and up, as it was for the game described today.

[jmacusa]

Looks kind of like a Maxfield Parrish illustration.