George B. McClellan
to
Abraham Lincoln
Head Quarters, Army of the Potomac
Camp near Harrison's Landing, Va. July 7th 1862
(Confidential)
Mr. President
You have been fully informed, that the Rebel army is in
our front, with the purpose of overwhelming us by attacking our positions or
reducing us by blocking our river communications. I can not but
regard our condition as critical and I earnestly desire, in view of possible
contingencies, to lay before your Excellency, for your private consideration,
my general views concerning the state of the rebellion; although they do
not strictly relate to the situation of this Army or strictly come within the
scope of my official duties. These views amount to convictions and
are deeply impressed upon my mind and heart.
Our cause must never be abandoned; it is the cause
of free institutions and self government. The Constitution and the
Union must be preserved, whatever may be the cost in time, treasure and
blood. If secession is successful, other dissolutions are clearly
to be seen in the future. Let neither military disaster, political
faction or foreign war shake your settled purpose to enforce the equal operation
of the laws of the United States upon the people of every state.
The time has come when the Government must determine
upon a civil and military policy, covering the whole ground of our national
trouble. The responsibility of determining, declaring and supporting
such civil and military policy and of directing the whole course of national
affairs in regard to the rebellion, must now be assumed and exercised by you
or our cause will be lost. The Constitution gives you power
sufficient even for the present terrible exigency.
This rebellion has assumed the character of a War:
as such it should be regarded; and it should be conducted upon the highest
principles known to Christian Civilization. It should not be a War
looking to the subjugation of the people of any state, in any event.
It should not be, at all, a War upon population; but against armed forces and
political organizations. Neither confiscation of property, political
executions of persons, territorial organization of states or forcible abolition
of slavery should be contemplated for a moment. In prosecuting the
War, all private property and unarmed persons should be strictly protected;
subject only to the necessities of military operations. All private
property taken for military use should be paid for or receipted for;
pillage and waste should be treated as high crimes; all unnecessary
trespass sternly prohibited; and offensive demeanor by the military
towards citizens promptly rebuked. Military arrests should not
be tolerated, except in places where active hostilities exist; and oaths
not required by enactments -- Constitutionally made -- should be neither
demanded nor received. Military government should be confined
to the preservation of public order and the protection of political rights.
Military power should not be allowed to interfere with
the relations of servitude, either by supporting or impairing the authority of
the master; except for repressing disorder as in other cases.
Slaves contraband under the Act of Congress, seeking military protection,
should receive it. The right of the Government to appropriate
permanently to its own service claims to slave labor should be asserted and
the right of the owner to compensation therefore should be recognized.
This principle might be extended upon grounds of military necessity and
security to all the slaves within a particular state; thus working
manumission in such [a] state -- and in Missouri, perhaps in Western Virginia
also and possibly even in Maryland the expediency of such a military measure
is only a question of time. A system of policy thus constitutional
and conservative, and pervaded by the influences of Christianity and freedom,
would receive the support of almost all truly loyal men, would deeply impress
the rebel masses and all foreign nations, and it might be humbly hoped that
it would commend itself to the favor of the Almighty.
Unless the principles governing the further conduct of our struggle shall
be made known and approved, the effort to obtain requisite forces will be
almost hopeless. A declaration of radical views, especially upon
slavery, will rapidly disintegrate our present Armies.
The policy of the Government must be supported by
concentrations of military power. The national forces should
not be dispersed in expeditions, posts of occupation and numerous Armies;
but should be mainly collected into masses and brought to bear upon the
Armies of the Confederate States; those Armies thoroughly defeated,
the political structure which they support would soon cease to exist.
In carrying out any system of policy which you may
form, you will require a Commander in Chief of the Army; one who
possesses your confidence, understands your views and who is competent
to execute your orders by directing the military forces of the Nation
to the accomplishment of the objects by you proposed. I do not
ask that place for myself. I am willing to serve you in such
position as you may assign me and I will do so as faithfully as ever
subordinate served superior.
I may be on the brink of eternity and as I hope
forgiveness from my maker I have written this letter with sincerity towards
you and from love of my country.
Very respectfully your obdt svt
Geo B. McClellan
Maj Genl Comdg
SOURCE: Reprinted in Official Records of
the Rebellion, series 1, vol. 2, part 2, pages 73-74.
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