Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-11-20

tlouS IOr tDem anu uudVOudult uel6Js III loT'
warding them and distributing them to the diff
fereut brigsdes and regiments.
From all the information that can obtain
| am of the opinion that the acquisitions from
that army have been filled more promptly and
that the men, as general rule, have been bet
ter supplied, than in the case of our armies
operating in the West The latter have ope-
rated at much greater distances from the sour
ceS of supplies, and have had far less facilities
for transportation In fne. ! believe that no
armies in the world in campaigning have been
more promptly or better supplied than ours.
Third Soon after the battle of Antietam,
General Mcclellan was urged to give me in
formation of bis Intended movements, in order
that if he moved between the enemy aud Wash
ingtOn the renforcements could be sent from
this place. Ga the first of October, finding 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
disadvantages of delaying till the autumn rains
had swollen the Potomac and impaired the
roads. On the 9th of October he was prompt
ly ordered to cross the Potomac and give bat
tie to the enemy, or drive him South. said
to him " Your army must move now, while
observed that three weeks have elapsed since
that order was given.
Fourth In my opinion there has been no
such want Of supplies in the army under Gen
eral Mcclellan as 20 prevent his compliance
with my orders to advance upon the enemy.
Had he moved his army to the south side
of the Potomac, he could have received his
supplies almost as readily as by remaining in.
active on the north side
Fifth Ga the seventh of October, in tel
gram i'll regard to his intended movements,
Gen. Mcclellan stated that he wond require
at least three days TO supply the first, fifth and
sixth corps that they needed shoes, and 9th
er Indispensable articles of clothing, as well as
shelter tents. No complaint was made to me
that bis army acquisitions had not been filled,
and it was inferred from his language that he
was only waiting for the distribution of his
supplies.
On the eleventh of October he teleeraphed
to me that portion Of his supplies sent by
railroad had been delayed. AS already stated
agruts were Immediately sent from here to in
veStigate this complaint, aud they reported
that everything had gone forward on the same
date, the lltb.
General Mcclellan spoke of many of his
horses being broken down by fatigue. On the
18th Of October he complained that the rate
of supply was only one hundred and fifty horS.
es per week for his entire 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 to Gen
eral Mcclellan.
Gen. Meigs reported to noe, Oh the l4th of
October, that the average issue of horses to
General McClellan'S army in the field aud in
front Of Washington, for the previous six
weeks, had been ,459 per week, or 1854 in
all
In addition, he reported 10 me that large
number of mules had been supplied, and that
the number of these animals with General Nc
Clellaus army on the Upper Potomac was over
300.
He also reported to ME that he was then
sending that army all the horses he could pro-
cure.
On the 18th of October, General Mcclellan
stated, in regard to Gen. Megs' report that
he had filled every requisltion for shoes aud
clothing Gen. Meigs may have ordered
these articles TO be forwarded but they might
as well remain in New York OF Philadelphia,
so far as my army is concerned" | immedi,
| ately called Gen. Mcigs' attention to this ap-
parent neglect of bis department
| On the 25th of October, be reported as to
the result of his investigation that 4,600 pairs
of boots aud shoes had been received by the
Quartermaster of M'Clelan's army at Har.
per's Ferry, Frederick and Hagerstowu. 90
900 pairs were at Harper'S Ferry Depot on
| 2lst, and that ten thousand mote were on the
way, aud fifteen thousand more had been Or
| dered
Colonel Ingalls,, aIdde-camp and chief of
staff to General McClIan, telegraphed on the
25th as follows 4" The suffering for want OF
! clothing has been exaggerated, think, and
certainly might have been avoided by timely
acquisitions by the regimental and brigade
commanders" On the Oath of October he
;elegraphed to Quartermaster General Mcigs
that the clothing was not detained in the cars
at the depots. Such complaints are ground
less. The fact is the clothing arrives and i:
issued, but more is still wanted | have Or
| dered more than would seem necessary from
any data furnished me, and | beg to remind
you that you have always very promptly met
my requsitons. As far as clothing is con
cerned, our department is not at fault L
provides as soon as due notice is given. | cal
foresee no time when an army of 100, 600 mel
will not call for clothing and other articles
| In regard to General McCelans means o
promptly communicating the wants of his arm.
to me, or to the proper bureaus OF the Wa
Department. report that in addition to th'
ordinary nails. he has been in hourly commu
hication rith Washington by telegraph
1t is due to Gen. Meigs that should sub
NIT herewith copy of telegram received b,
him from General Mcclellan.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
| II. w. HALLECK, General in. Chief.
FROM McLELLAN's HE HEADoUARrERs-ro BRIGADIEF
GENERAL MEIGs
| Your despatch of this date is received