Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-09

great mi Justice has thereby been done TO the corps
which made the reconnaissance, and TO It's COM
handing General, deem IL proper 70 call public
attention TO the actual state Of the case-selecting
as the basis Of remark portions Of the criticism Of
G. w, In the Tribkrs Of Nov. S, on General
stones movements.
The movement Of Gen Mccall on Saturday.
Oct ID, towards Drainesville was simply recon-
noissance, was 20 Intended and at no lime changed
It's character lts purpose was to make an accu-
rate examination OF the country between Langley
and gainesville, and Of that around DrainesyiIle
within three or four miles. Tbs whole force was
taken because the opportunity was a good one for
a marching drill: One brigade only advanced to
Drainesyille, and protected that Reconnaissance,
the others biveuacfng at fixed points on the road
Your correspondent bays that Gen. Mccall was
instructed to advance as far Goose Greek II me-
Seesafy sof bis observations" This 10 a mis-
ake No purpose was expressed, In any official
quarter, Of sending the division, or any part of H.
as far as Goose Greek for " observationsn or any
other object; nor was there mention or alluson to
connoissance was expressly limited to Drsinesvile
and Its immediate vicinity, and had no sRnif.
canoe towards points beyond.
Another error is the statement that upon reach.
Ing Drainesville Gen. Mccall apprised Gen.
Mcclellan that "there were indications ar the Sne-
my being In considerable numbers In the direc-
ton OF Leesburg:" Nothing could be more En-
foreous Gen. Mccall did not meet the enemy
between Langley and DfainesvIlle, nor at Dfaires
Vile (thirteen miles from Leesburg) did he dis.
cover any indications Of the "presence of the
enemy In considerable numbers at Leesburg
He did not expect to do either Before leaving
camp at Langley he was advised thai the enemy
had retired nom beesbhfg; and on his arrival Al
Drainesvflle thin Information was corroborated
sy NE residents Of the place and vicinity, who
stated that on the Tuesday previous (ave DAYS
oefofe) Gea. Evans's brigade had crossed Goose
creek on their way to Manassas. Gen McCalI,s
dispatches to the Commanding General were OF a
TENOR wholly different from that stated by your
correspondent of November S. They were 10 the
enect that the enemy were not supposed to be at
Lees burg; that the Loudoun and Ham psbIre all
ROAD was probably the line Of the enemy's pickets
IN sonthwesteriy direction, and that the nearest
lorce OF the enemy was at Centreyille sirteen
miles distant. Whatever attempt NAV be made
70 censure any one upon the assumption that Gen.
those above stated win be In defiance of the facts
tnlrd Interpretation Of your correspondent
OF Nov. 10, that Gen. McCalI,s return to langley
on Monday, October 81, was the conseque OF
supposed danger Of a flank attack from Center.
VILE and that this order to return in reye,,aI of
a previously entertained purpose was given At ,
late nour on the afternoon Of Sunday the 1Oib
~, nc Srlginai order to Gen Mccall contemplated
ms return to Langley on Sunday, the goth. This.
however, proved incompatible with the execution
Oh toe other portion Of his order to make survev
oi tne country, Its roads, declivities &c; and he
70 informed General Mcclellan, who thereupon
ordered him to complete the survey and retnrn on
Monday At O'Clock on Monday morning Cen
McCall was Informed by the Typographical engi |
n 1s tnat In two hours they would complete |
gn
advised ordered him to return to Langley when
DIS was done. About 10 O'Clock that morning
ne DIVISION took up the return line of march Of
.onrse, The apprehension of attack from Center.
me hao nothing to do with the return. which
was que solely To the fact that by that time the
econnoisance required by his instructions was
ompleted, fully sRd satisfactorily.
your correspondent treats of the two rnovo
nents OF Gems. Mccall and Stone as one. and
peaks OF 1.-The division Of Mccall poriyp f,o,, |
ne scene, while Stone twas grouping hrs fo,C.a
Coonrad's and Edwards ferriesn
zen. Mccall remained at DrainesyiIle enc dav
onger than he expected when he entered IL Hs |
eIt ~ only when ordered to do So and an, the |
1ofE appointed TO him was fully done He knew |
DINING OF zen. stones movement or Situation |
or dld he hear Of them until MANY hours nfte,
le return to Langley. Had the division been
ware OF the collision between part Of General
zones command and the enemy, | know Thai
osning would have restrained them from adj.
a,nclng to his support with alacrity and ardor
NY respect for gallant and veteran officer ba.
~, ~ ne 10 make these explanations concerning |
'ehts with which my position in his s.aff AZ IS
olunleer aid, has made me fully familiar I feel
suIed that you will aid me in correcttpg tha |
Intentional errors which do him Injustice and
nect lnJuriously upon the brave men Composing
% command. |
! nave the honor to be, very respectfully your
'e' 97'sant, EDWARD MCPHEKsoN