What were the details contained in General McClellan's letter to President Lincoln in July 1862?

Answer 1

While based on Harrison's Landing on July 7, 1862, General McClellan wrote an extensive letter to President Lincoln concerning his views on the way the Union should conduct its war to end the Southern rebellion. McClellan's main points were as follows:

* The war to unify the Union must never be abandoned until the nation was once again made whole;

* The rebellion must now be considered a war and it should be conducted as such with the highest possible standards of western civilization;

* The war cannot be a war against the Southern civilian population;

* Armed conflict must be taken against Confederate armed forces and Rebel political organizations;

* The goal of the war cannot be framed as the subjugation of the Southern people;

* There cannot be any confiscation of civilian property or the abolishment of slavery;

* Any property that for war purposes must be confiscated must be paid for or given a receipt for future payments;

* Unarmed Southerners must be protected from armed conflict by the Union;

* Any cases of pillage, waste or confiscation by the Union troops must be treated as high crimes; and

* Military arrests of civilians must not be tolerated.