Valley Spirit

The Excitement in the Army.

Headquarters, Army of the Potomac.
Warrenton, Nov. 9, 1862.

The removal of General McClellan from the command of the army has occasioned the wildest excitement. Officers and men unite in denouncing the order as an outrage upon the army, and while they express no objection to General Burnside as an officer, they protest against the measure most earnestly. Many have prepared their resignations, and distinguished officers of rank assert that they will no longer serve in the army if the order be not rescinded.

General McClellan received the announcement of his removal with perfect equanimity. He has not been heard to utter a word of complaint, nor has he made any allusion to the subject in the presence of his staff, other than to mention the surprise occasioned by the reception of the despatch. It was equally unexpected to General Burnside, who at first positively declined to accept the position.

General McClellan leaves the field for Washington tomorrow, accompanied by his personal aides-de-camp, that portion of his staff connected with the various departments of the army remaining.

General Burnside, of course, assumes command immediately.

Intense Excitement in Washington.

Washington, Nov. 9, 1862.

The removal of General McClellan has produced the most intense excitement in this city. It is almost the sole topic of conversation everywhere.

The radicals assert that this removal is based upon a report made by General Halleck representing that General McClellan has persisted in disobeying orders and misrepresenting the condition of his army in regard to supplies of clothing and subsistence. The friends of General McClellan declare that his removal was agreed upon before the recent elections, and is a part of the programme of the radicals to obtain the control of the armies in the field.

It is unfortunate for the administration that this removal has been made at this time without a promulgation to the country of sufficient reasons for it.

It is asserted that upon every occasion when General McClellan was upon the eve of a decisive battle--one which would to a great extent settle the whole question now in issue between the Government and the rebels--he has been prevented from striking the blow by the interference of the government. In this instance he was certainly pushing forward with unwonted rapidity, and actually astonishing the country by the promptness of the movements on his army and the celerity of its progress.

It is believed that a general and decisive engagement must occur very soon, and may take place at any moment, and the removal of the General in command under these circumstances without any apparent reason therefoe [sic], except political manoeuvres, has aroused a feeling in the community which is portentous.

All accounts from the army in Virginia represent that a similar feeling exists there, and it is feared even by those who have hitherto been violent opponents of General McClellan, that without a satisfactory explanation of his removal a very serious demoralization of the forces lately under his command will ensue.

The intensity of the excitement here cannot well be described. It extends to all classes of people, and manifests itself in a sternness of determination which forebodes a terrible expression of public indignation. It is said by those who are presumed to have opportunities of knowing, that this bold act of the administration is but the beginning of the end, and that what is to follow will be still more startling.

Many express the opinion that a disruption of the Cabinet will immediately ensue. There is reason to believe that the removal of General McClellan was without the sanction of either Mr. Seward or Mr. Blair, and that it has inaugurated a conflict between the conservative and radical portions of the Cabinet which must terminate in the withdrawal or expulsion of one or the other party. This result is anxiously looked for, and the expectation of greater events is perhaps all that serves at present to prevent some open expression of popular dissatisfaction.

The recent despatch hence to the Tribune, that all General McClellan's communications were to the President, and not to the Secretary of War and to General Halleck, was not much credited, because it was known that before Gen. McClellan left here for the campaign in Maryland General Halleck had a protracted interview with him at the house of the former, and that Mr. Stanton, after a like conference, expressed so much pleasure that he invited General McClellan to his own mansion. So, also, Senator Wilson visited General McClellan twice in one evening, and said he was willing to agree to anything to save the country. It seems, however, that the supposed entente cordiale between the generals has really been disturbed; and, therefore, some persons think that, such being the case, successful military operations by Gen. McClellan could hardly be anticipated. It is suggested that the President has acted in this view. Though Colonel Forney's official organ here has lately thrown out the idea that the season is too far gone for effective land movements against the Richmond, it states to-day that new energy is to be infused into the army of the Potomac, which means, it is believed, that General Hooker is to take command. At the same time speaks of the seizure of the Gaps Blue Ridge, by the masterly movment [sic] of McClellan towards Gordonsville, as important strategic points. Colonel Forney's organ in its issue of to-day impeaches the faithfulness of Gen. McClellan by an inuendo [sic]. Hence it is concluded that he is to be court-martialed as well as other generals that have been indicated by the radical organs. If such is to be the case, then other major generals must be selected to serve in the Army of the Potomac; and hence the understanding that General Hunter's departure for the South is to be temporarily suspended. It may be that General McDowell is also to be assigned to the command of a corps d'armee, as General Hooker had a very long conference with Secretary Chase to-day.

In the hour of triumph we need most of all to guard ourselves. When the Roman general was borne in procession through the City of the Seven Hills, and greeted with the splendor of a Roman triumph decreed by the Senate, there was a slave standing in his chariot, constantly reminding him of his mortality.

We have no idea that the conservative men need any such reminder. They have not acquired power with their victory, and they have therefore the consciousness that what they have done is but the expression of an opinion, the rebuke of a rampant radicalism that was plunging us into perdition. Had the army been with us to vote, we should have made such a victory in numbers as would have astounded the world. As it is, we have contested with a fierce enemy--a party that declared bitter personal enmity to us--and we have won the contest by cool and unwavering determination. It is a victory of principle over madness; of Americanism over fanaticism. We never saw men vote with such solemn countenances. Behind every ballot box stood police officers, with books and pencils, noting the names of voters. No human being could tell by what right they were there, and no one doubts that the intent in placing them there was to deter loyal men from exercising the right of the citizen. But their presence produced no more effect than had the previous attempt to brand us all as traitors. Men voted the conservative ticket with a sense of the necessity of every vote to save country. Old men, numbers of them who had not voted for many years, came up to the polls and waited in the cue for their turn, and voted in silence, vowing their love to the grand old Union.

And now let conservative men understand that their work is not done. We have commenced the great work and it must go on. We advise practical work now for the Constitution and the Union. Keep up all your organizations. Hold frequent meetings. Invite lecturers and speakers to address public meetings on the Constitution. Teach the people correct political ideas. Open halls for such lectures through the fall and winter. Men of the highest ability will stand ready to accept your invitations and to address the people on the correct doctrines of American constitutional law and policy. Continue to circulate documents. Keep up your committees in every village and school district. Raise small sums of money among yourselves, and send for documents like pamphlet of Judge Curtis on Executive power, and the opinion of Judge Hall in the Benedict case, and others of the kind which will be furnished this fall and winter. Thousands who voted the Wadsworth ticket are to-day ready to take their stand with the conservative party, convinced that is not only loyal, but that it is the only Constitution-loving and Union-saving party. Keep up your organizations for the sake of bringing these persons into them. Let the coming autumn and winter be devoted, by those who remain at home, to the study of the Constitution, to increasing love for it, to reading and teaching the principles of the fathers, and to the restoration of a healthy mind to all the people.--Journal of Commerce.

In Camp on the Blue Ridge,
Above Snicker's Gap, Loudon Co., Va.
November 4th, 1862.

Progress and action are again the watchwords of the Army of the Potomac. On Thursday last, our part of the army, Humphrey's Division, Porter's Corps, broke camp and took position in the immense column moving on to new operations on Virginia's soil. For six weeks we sojourned pleasantly and profitably on the Potomac between Sharpsburg and Shepherdstown. We were blessed with most delightful weather, rejoiced in the presence almost daily of loved and respected friends from home, and lived on fare unknown to the soldier through the Commissariat of Uncle Sam. Of course we were pleased with this state of life and tired to enjoy it to the full, anticipating that it might be of short duration and that our future would furnish us abundant hard labor, severe privation and very limited gratifications. Our breaking camp was both interesting and amusing. Men get a little sensitive and do considerable growing when expedition is necessary, and one witnesses as much confusion and confounding as characterizes the inevitable April moving day at home. Lifting the shelter tents from their frame work there is a general exposure of household and kitchen affairs. Pots, kettles, pans, boxes, &c., &c., the accumulation of six weeks in a camp of a large number of men, makes a pretty big pile, I assure you, and the largest portion of these notwithstanding their value or usefulness to their owners have to be left behind, for the reason that Uncle Sam wont [sic] haul them and it is impossible to carry them. The frames of the tents covering a large space of ground present a queer sight too. Their dimensions for shelter purposes are very contracted and you would really think you were looking upon the skeleton habitation of a village of dwarfs. Every available fence and piece of timber in the neighborhood is used for constructing these frames, and while one pities the good Union farmer who sustains loss by these seeming depredations, it is a consoling reflection that the Secessionist too is made to suffer for the aid and comfort his utterances and actions render the enemy in this war.

We moved from Camp at 3 P.M., heavily loaded with knapsacks, ammunition, &c., and two days rations in haversacks. Beyond Sharpsburg we took a road, and a very rough and narrow one, leading to Harper's Ferry. There was nothing of peculiar interest occurred as we passed along. After a march of about eight miles we were ordered to halt. Our Brigade bivouacked in a beautiful woods of tall and majestic oaks, such an one as would readily have inspired Bryant when he penned his grand and magnificent "Forest Hymn." A thousand fires were almost instantly ablaze and around the boys gathered to prepare their simple meal of hot coffee and "Hardees," another name by the way for army crackers. This over, the "taps" beat, blankets were spread and sleep that sweet restorer, especially of the fatigued and exhausted soldier, was soon upon us. The usual quietness of the old woods seemed again to reign supreme.

At daybreak we were again summoned to ranks and proceeded on our march. 12 M. we reached Harper's Ferry and crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah on Pontoon bridges. I need hardly digress here to describe the magnificent scenery at this point. Most of our best author travellers have made it familiar to nearly all American readers. Seeing it, one can readily appreciate the feelings of Thomas Jefferson when he wrote in his "Notes on Virginia" that it was hardly surpassed in granduer [sic] and that it would amply repay a journey from Europe to see it. The Ferry is now the important base of the supplies of the Army of the Potomac, and you may imagine that at this time there is no little life and business about it. Across the Shenandoah our travel continued over a rough and precipitous mountain road. About five miles from the Ferry at 8 P. M., we halted at 10 o'clock the various Regiments were mustered in for pay. This consists of a rigid examination of the muster and pay rolls. Every man is required to be present and answer to his name, or his absence must be satisfactorily accounted for. This is all only preliminary to the payment of the men. The rolls are forwarded to Washington, where the calculations of pay are made by the Paymasters and they then pass through the hands of other officials for approval. When the gentleman with the "Greenbacks" will make his appearance is very uncertain, I presume it will be some weeks yet. During the afternoon of the same day there was a general inspection of arms and accoutrements. Sunday morning we resumed our march, and arrived at Snicker's Gap at 4 P. M. We prepared our suppers and were about making ourselves comfortable for the night when the order to move again came to us. Off we started, passing from the Gap up the mountain, a distance of three miles. Here we were brought to a rest for the night. Our Company "G" were at once sent out on picket which added no little to our fatigue and sufferings. We were relieved in the morning and brought with us some fine fresh veal; as to how we got it we desire no questions to be asked. During the day fresh supplies of meat came in for several companies without cost to "Uncle Sam", and at this writing the boys are all getting along pretty well.

In the afternoon there was some terrific firing below us, and we were ordered under arms. It soon ceased however. I have not heard what the result of it was.

The weather is very unpleasant. Chill November's surly blasts are upon us in earnest.

But I must hastily close, as I know of but a single chance to send you this, and I must avail myself of it.

Yours, &c.,
Shenandoah.

Our partner, W. Kennedy, Esq., who furnished us, weekly, with an interesting letter from the "Army of the Potomac," is now at home, having been rendered Hors-de-combat by an attack of rheumatism. Until he recovers his health and rejoins his Regiment we will not be able to publish anything from his pen, in the way of army correspondence.

In this number of our paper, we publish a letter from a gentleman attached to the 126th Regiment, who is well known in this community as an able and interesting correspondent, who will, if possible, furnish us weekly with intelligence of the movements and doings of the 126th Regiment, and the corps to which it is attached.

We understand, from a reliable source, that since the election, our neighbor of the Dispatch has discharged the small boy, who, previously to that time, carried the country circulation of that delectable little sheet to the Post office in his vest pocket. Since the campaign subscribers have been dropped, it is not deemed necessary to retain the Boy for that purpose, and a considerable item of expense can thus be saved.

We are sorry that our cotemporary has lost its country subscribers; but we are inclined to believe that what it has lost in the country, it has more than gained in that portion of our Borough, generally known as Wolffstown. We observed, a few days ago, a couple of the denizens of that sweet suburb, intently poring over its last issue, one of whom remarked that "dis is de best newspaper printed in dis town." A venerable darkey of that locality informs us that the articles in that paper, abusive of aged and respectable white citizens, and those detractive of General McClellan, are highly applauded by the intelligent community of that classic region.

"Our neighbor of the Transcript in his account of the Row, on last Saturday evening a week, in front of the Court House, does much injustice--unintentionally no doubt--to the Surgeons in charge of the Military Hospitals located in our town. These gentlemen, since they have been amongst us, have gained many friends by their close attention to their business and gentlemanly deportment. Since the Rebel Raid under Stuart--when the Patients in the Hospital were paroled, not one of them can be put even upon guard duty and consequently, discipline amongst the men is somewhat lax. We know that the Surgeons have endeavored to prevent inmates of the Hospitals from indulging in "tangle-foot" by notifying dealers in that article not to give or sell it to them, but thus far their efforts have proved of no avail. No blame can attach to the Surgeons. They are attending to their duties faithfully, and those persons who furnish the whiskey to persons under their care will be held to a strict accountability in the future."