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Story
March 17, 1862
The National Republican
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
On March 14, 1862, Major General George B. McClellan issues a proclamation from Fairfax Court-House, Virginia, to the Army of the Potomac, explaining past inactivity as preparation for decisive action against the rebellion, expressing confidence in their readiness and victory, and urging heroic efforts.
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OCR Quality
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Excellent
Full Text
A PROCLAMATION.
Major General McClellan has issued the following proclamation to the army of the Potomac:
Headquarters 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 and instruction, 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 presage 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. It shall be my care, as it has ever been, to gain success with the least possible loss; but I know that, if it is necessary, you will willingly follow me to our graves, for our righteous cause. God smiles upon us, victory attends us; yet I would not have you think that our aim is to be attained without a manly struggle. I will not disguise it from you: you have brave foes to encounter—foemen well worthy of the steel that you will use so well. I shall demand of you great, heroic exertions, rapid and long marches, desperate combats, privations, perhaps. We will share all these together; and when this sad war is over we will all return to our homes, and feel that we can ask no higher honor than the proud consciousness that we belonged to the Army of the Potomac.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
Major General McClellan has issued the following proclamation to the army of the Potomac:
Headquarters 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 and instruction, 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 presage 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. It shall be my care, as it has ever been, to gain success with the least possible loss; but I know that, if it is necessary, you will willingly follow me to our graves, for our righteous cause. God smiles upon us, victory attends us; yet I would not have you think that our aim is to be attained without a manly struggle. I will not disguise it from you: you have brave foes to encounter—foemen well worthy of the steel that you will use so well. I shall demand of you great, heroic exertions, rapid and long marches, desperate combats, privations, perhaps. We will share all these together; and when this sad war is over we will all return to our homes, and feel that we can ask no higher honor than the proud consciousness that we belonged to the Army of the Potomac.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Military Action
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Providence Divine
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Mcclellan Proclamation
Army Of The Potomac
Civil War Preparation
Military Motivation
Rebellion
Victory Presage
What entities or persons were involved?
Geo. B. Mcclellan
Soldiers Of The Army Of The Potomac
Where did it happen?
Fairfax Court House, Va.
Story Details
Key Persons
Geo. B. Mcclellan
Soldiers Of The Army Of The Potomac
Location
Fairfax Court House, Va.
Event Date
March 14, 1862
Story Details
McClellan motivates his troops by justifying past delays as necessary preparation, affirming the army's readiness, promising to lead them to decisive battle against the rebels, invoking divine support, and assuring minimal loss while calling for heroic efforts.