Parliament inquired into the conduct of the Crimean War, and out of the investigation grew the remedy for a host of grievances. The French Assembly, in the days of the Republic, also looked into the failures of their Generals. Our army claims exemption from criticism, immunity from censure, and that all its mistakes may he covered.
The Investigating Committee, on calling on General McClellan for facts in the Ball’s Bluff affair, were informed that he was too busy to look into past disasters. We confess we do not like the precedent. Once established, no limit can be named where it will end. It is not simply that a vexed question may be settled, as to who is responsible for the wholesale murder at Ball’s Bluff; who is to blame that our Federal troops were shot down like penned sheep; whose fault it was that there were no suitable means provided for crossing the Potomac; by whose mistake it was that Baker was sacrificed; why the movement was made at all; or when made, why recalled. It is not simply to settle these points that on investigation is needed, but to fix in the minds of all our commanders a consciousness that for all similar errors they are to be held responsible before the people.
If the Commander-In-Chief has really no time for the investigation, he could not be relieved on a better business. It is premature in advance of any glorious deed in the field to tell Congress that it has no business to inquire into such matters. What vast amount of military misconduct, incompetency, and treachery might lurk safely behind such a plea. The military power in this country has not yet become so shining, that it may put on the assumption of being absolute and irresponsible. No monarchy that calls itself constitutional, or limited, would tolerate such independence, such an attempt at irresponsible power. The logical results of allowing the army to be exempt from criticism is totally at war with the spirit of our Government. The spectre is small, but it casts a large shadow before it. The people wish an Investigation of the Ball’s Bluff affair, for there still remains in the army some one who is responsible for that defeat, whose place were better filled with some other officer. The mutual admiration principle diligently cultivated at West Point may shield him, but it is not for the advantage of the people, who pay the bills, and whose servants these officers are.
Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, IL, January 10, 1862