Daily national Republican., 1862-11-11

sources Of supply, and have had far less facll-
ties for transportation. In fine, believe that
no armies in the world, while In campaign,
have been more promptly or better supplied
than ours.
Sd. Soon after the battle of Antietam, Gen
eral Mcclellan was urged TO give me lnforma-
tion of his Intended movements, In order that,
if he moved between the enemy and Washing
ton. reinforcements could be sent from this
place. On the first OF October, finding that he
proposed to operate from Harper's Ferry, /
urged him to cross the river at once and give
battle to the enemy, pointing out to him the
disadvantage of delaying till the autumn rains
had swollen the Potomac and impaired the
roads. On the 9Th of October, he was peremp-
torily ordered to "cross the Potomac and give
battle to the enemy or drive him South. Your
army must move now, while the roads are
good" II will be observed that three weeks
have elapsed since this order was given.
4th In my opinion, there has been no such
want of supplies In the army under General
Mcclellan az to prevent his compliance with
the orders to advance against the enemy. Had
he moved to the south side of the Potomac he
could have received his supplies almost as
readily as by remaining inactive on the north
| side.
| 9TH. On the 9TH of October, in q telegram in
| regard to his intended movements, General Nc
Clelan stated that 1t would require at least three
days to supply the first, fifth, and sixth corps;
that they needed shoes and other indispensable
articles Of clothing, as well as shelter tents. No
complaint was made that any requisitlons had
not been filled, and it was inferred from his
language that he was only waiting for the dis
tribution of his supplies.
On tho l1th he telcgraphed that a portion Of
his supplies sent by rail had been delayed. As
already stated, agents were Immediately sent
from here to investigate this complaint, and
they reported that everything had gone forward.
On the same date (the 1lth) he spoke of many
of his horses being broken down by fatigue.
On the 18th he complained that the rate OF sup
ply was only $50 horses per week for the en-
tire army there and in front Of Washington"
/ Immediately directed the quartermaster
general TO inquire into this matter and report
why larger supply was not furnished. Gen.
Meigs reported on the 14th that the average issue
of horses to Gen. McClellan's army In the field
and in front of Washington for the previous six
weeks had been ,459 per week, or s,754 In all. In
addition, that large numbers Of mules had been
supplied, and that the number of animals with
Gen. McClellan's army on the Upper Potomac
was over thirty-one thousand. He also reported
that he was then sending TO that army all the
horses he could procure.
J On the 18th, General Mcclellan stated, in re-
gard to General Megs's report that he had filled
every requisition for shoes and clothing: "Gen.
Meigs may have ordered these articles to be
forwarded, but they have not reached our depots,
and unless greater effort to insure prompt trans
mission Is made by the department of which
Gen. Meigs is the head, they might as well re.
main in New York or Philadelphia, SO far as
this army is concerned" l Immediately called
Gen. Meigs's attention to this apparent neglect
of his department. On the 25th he reported,
as the result of his investigation, that As, 600
pairs of boots and shoes had been received by
the quartermaster of Gen. McClellan's army al
Harper's Ferry, Frederick, and Hagerstown
that 10000 pairs were at Harper's Ferry depot
on the 2lst; that 10000 more were on their
way, and 1900 more ordered. Col. ingalls,
aid-de-camp and chief quartermaster to Gen
Mcclellan, telegraphed, on the 25th; "The suf
fering for want of clothing is exaggerated,
, think, and certainly might have been avoided
by timely acquisitions of regimental and brl'
4 gade commanders
On the 24th he telegraphed to the quarter
master general that the clothing was not de
I tanned In cars at the depots. "Such complaint,
y are groundless. The fact is, the clothing ar
: rives and Is issued, but more is still wanted
!, l have ordered more than would seem necessary
4 from any data furnished me, and beg to re
I mind you that you have always very prompt,
met all my requisitions, so far clothing Is con
n cerned. Our department is not at fault. 1t pro
yides as soon as due notice is given. forese,
no time when an army of over 100 900 men will
d not call for clothing and other articles"
In regard to Gen. McClellan's means o
promptly communicating the wants of hi
' army to me or to the proper bureaus of the Wa
s Department, ] report that, in addition 10th
A ordinary mails, he has been in hourly communi
n cation with Washington by telegraph.
1t is due to Gen. Meigs that should submi
herewith copy Of telegram received by hin
l. from Gen. Mcclellan.
J. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
II. W. HALLECK,
!" General-in-Chie