The national Republican., 1861-11-06
WAR MATTERS.
The Hattie q ! Bnil,. B,ufr.

WAR MATTERS.
The Battis a Baips BiuT.
TIE EXPLANATORY REPORT or aES NCLG' Ian
TO GEN. sroNE's REPORT.
The following is Gen. McClellans explana-
tlon in submitting the report Of Gen. Stone to
the Secretary of War:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
Washington, Nov. !, 1861.
The Hon. Secretary of War.-Sir: Ihave the
honor to forward, herewith, Brigadier General
stones report Of the engagement near Lees
burg. on the 2lst ult. also transmit copy
of the dispatch sent by me to General Stone
IN the goth ult, being the same mentioned 10
the beginning Of his report as the basis of bis
movement. l enclose copy Of his dispatch
in reply, of same date. My dispatch did not
contemplate the making an attack upon the
enemy, or the crossing Of the river In force by
auy portion of General Stones command, and
not anticipating snch movement, / had upon
the goth directed Major General Mccall to re.
turn with his division, on the foi noon of The
2lst, from Drainsvilie to the camp from which
he had advanced, provided the Reconnaissance
entrusted to him should have been then com
pleted. Being advised by telegraph from Gen.
Stone, received during the DAY and evening OF
tuc ElSt, VI VI t'NtE, wv ldil W
Col. Baker, the check sustained by our troop,
and that nearly oil his (Stoues) force had cross.
ed the river, sent to him at Edwards Ferry,
the following dispatch at l03 Pm:
"Intrench yourself on the virgioia side, and
await reinforcements, If necessary"
Immediately telegraphed Major General
Banks to proceed with the three brigadcs of
bis division to the support Of General Stone;
and advising the latter that he would be thus
supported, directed him 10 hold his position
at all hazards. On the 22d l went personally
to the scene of operations, and after ascer
taiuing that the enemy were strengthening
themselves at Leesburg, and that our means
of crossing aud recrossing were very insult
cient, Withdrew our forces from the Virginia
side.
Lam, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,
Msj1r Gen. Commanding U. S. A.
Dispatch No. l-Receiced Oct 20, 1861.
TO Brigadier General STONE, Poolesville.-
General Mcclellan desires me to inform you
that General Mccall occupied Drainsville yes
terday, and is still there. Will send out heavy
reconnoissances to day, in all directions, from
that point. The General desires that you keep
u good look out upon Leesburg to see If this
movement hos the effect to drive them away.
Perhaps q slight denomination on your part
would have the effect to move them.
A. V. COLBURN,
Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PorOMAC,
October 20, 1861.
Receiued at Washington from Poolesuiue.
To Major General MCCLELIAN Made feint
of crossing at this place this afternoon, and at
the same time started a accommodating party
tN unr, mi, ali nd
The enemy's pickets retired to entertainments.
Report of accommodating party not yet re.
ceived. have meaus of crossing one hundred
| and twenty-five men once in ten 1ninu es al
each of two points. River falling slowly.
| g. P. STONE,
| Brigadier General.
| FAREWELL INTERVIEW BETWEEN GEMS. SCoT1
AND MCCLELLAN.-Whsn Gen. Scott was about
leaving Washington, Gen. Mcclellan, at the
head of his staff, proceeded to an inner room
occupied by Gen. Scott and removing his hat
from his head, bowed before the veteran chief
whom he had just succeeded.
Gen. Scott, sitting, from inability to rise, ex
tended his hand to his successor, and they talk.
ed for some minutes with hands clasped In
this position, Gen. Scott, drawing Mcclellan
nearer to him, said:
General, do not allow yourself to be embar.
rassed by men who do not comprehend this
great question. Carry cut your own ideas, act
upon your own judgment, and you will con.
quer, and the Government will be vindcated
God bless you"
The young chieftain's only reply wac:
al thank you, General, aud will not forget
your counsel. May you BE- restored TO health
and live to see your prophecy. fulfilled. God
be with you. Farewell"
IMPORTANT TO SOLDIERS.
Information has been received at the Pos
Office Department that regimental postmaster
and other persons detailed to receive and for
ward letters from the United States army, have
in some Instances demanded and exacted pre-
payment Of postage on letters destined for tn,
British North America Provinces.
This practice is in direct violation of Posta
Regulations, which do not require prepayment
of postage on such letters, and It should b,
Immediately discontinued.
NEW MILITARY HOSPITAL
iue NoFeTumehl yesteruay enSaBeu tht
three splendid mansions on street, formerly
occupied by the late Senator Douglas, Senator
Rice, and John g. Brecknridge and known al
Minnesota Row, for military hospital purposes
The rent paid by the Government is at the rat,
of seven thousand dollars per annum for tn
whole.
The U. S. Quartermaster, in Baltimore, ha
purchased lot, in the Loudon Park Cemetery
for the burial place of such soldiers as may di
in the city.
Major General Halleck, now next In com
mand, in the U. S. army, to Major General Nc
Clellan, has reached Washington, from Califor
| MIA, and was yesterday at the War Department