for “the good of the country”
lead column 150 years ago today
I’m not sure what the Seneca Falls, New York editors knew about the events in southern Pennsylvania when they reprinted this article in July 1863. Anyhow it was a great chance for the Democrat paper to praise George Mcclellan and question the Lincoln administration’s competence.
A Leaf of History.
The Boston Post puts on record the following striking facts:
When General Lee entered Maryland in September, 1862, when the Army of the Potomac was in a demoralized state, General McClellan assumed the command September 4th. On the next day a part of this broken army, by the magic power of the new commander, was in a state to be put in motion; and on the 7th, at 6 o’clock p.m., he lest [left] Washington to take the field after evincing capacity for organization unparalleled in military history. On the 12th he entered Frederick City. On the 14th was fought the South Mountain battle; on the 15th the enemy was come up with at Antietam; on the 16th and 17th was fought this battle, and on the 18th General Lee in haste withdrew his army over the Potomac! Thus in fourteen days after General McClellan took the command Maryland and Pennsylvania were relieved! General Lee has now been fourteen days on Maryland and Pennsylvania soil, in his desperate operations, when the good of the country required a new commander of the Army of the Potomac.
Hooker lacks McClellan’s “magic power”
According to a June 27th report in The New York Times of June 28, 1863 “General Hooker In Motion.” and his entire army was now north of the Potomac:
in motion but slowed by heavy rain
The Library of Congress identifies the generals in the image.
