The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-04
--LATEST INTHLLTGnNCHI

the commander in chief, in his report ia
the Secretary of War, states that he start
ed on the Oath of July to visit the army
of the Potomac to ascertain if there was
a possibility of an advance upon Rich
mond from Harrison's Landing, and il
not, TO form some plan for uniting the
armies of Pope and Mcclellan, the latter
of whom was of the opinion that il
would require $4,000 more men. Hallecll
replied that there could not possibly be
more than 10000 sent.
General Mcclellan asked time to con
slider the matter till morning, when he
agreed TO go on with that number. On
Halleck's arrival home he received dis
patch that at least 80, 600 would be re-
quired. The report states that such re-
Inducements could not be sent without
leaving. Washington and Baltimore al
most defenceless and an order for the
withdrawal of the army of the Potomac
was issued on the Sd of August.
A previous order having been given for
the removal of the sick, and transports in
vast numbers supplied. But protest
was received from General Mcclellan on
the 9th, and that the order was not put
in force for eleven days. On the LIST or
ders were issued to General Burnside to
embark at Newport News for Aqua
Creek, who arrived promptly on the 3D..
A review of the movements before
Washington is made. He says part of
the Army of the Potomac was ordered
forward from Alexandria, and that Gen
| NUa -. Il.
from Western Virginia with the main
portions of his force. OF General Pope's
order on the 9th to General Porter TO be
at Bristow Station the next morning, he
says: For some unexplained reason Por-
ter did not reply, and his corps was not
in the battles of the 28th and goth, in
which General Pope gained some ground,
although the battles were not decisive
VI the reinfOrcements from Alexandra,
embracing at length the whole Peninsular
army, it is said that some of the corps
moved with becoming activity, but the
delays Of others were neither creditable
nor eXCusable.
The soldiers actually engaged in these
battles fought with great bravery, but
many thousands struggled away from
their commands, and it is said not few
voluntarily surrendered TO the enemy so
as to be parOled. 1t is added that had
the Army Of the Potomac arrived few
days earlier the rebels could have been
easily defeated and perhaps destroyed
The losses at South Mountain and Antie-
tam are put at 1,742 killed, 8,OG6 wound
ed, and 9l3 missing; total of 1921.
The report states that the army rested
on the north bank of the Potomac, near
Sharpsburg, from the 18th of September
to the I'd of October, and says that the
long Inactivity of so large an army in
the face OF defeated foe, during the
most favorable season for rapid marches
and vigorous campaigns, was a matter of |
great disappointment and regret
Gen. Halleck says be telegraphed Gen
Mcclellan on the 9th, to cross the river. |
Gen. Mcclellan disapproved the plan of
crossing south of the Blue Rridge, but
proposed to cross at Harper's Ferry and
move on Winchester; but he did not cross |
until October 26, and then at Berlin,
the passage occupying till November 8.
During this period Gen. Mcclellan stop
ped communicating with the Commander
IN Chief addressing the President. On
the 9th his removal was ordered.
The Secretary of War details the mill
tary operations during the past year. and
points to the fact that the Department of
me Pacific has been free from the calam-
tiles occasioned by the rebellion. An
earnest aud deep sympathy had been
by the loyal citizens of the
Pacific States in their support of the
Union.
From a survey of the whole field of
operations it is apparent that whatever
our arms may have suffered at
particular points, a great advance has
been made since the commencement of
The war. The Union forces are now in
the field under able commanders, stronger
than ever, resolute, and eager to be led
against the enemy to crush the rebellion
by vigorous winter campaign.
The armies Of the Potomac and the
West stand ready to vie with each other
in dealing the quickest and heaviest
blows against the enemy. Taught by
experience Of the ruin Of inaction and
The hazard Of delay, a spirit of earnest
activity seems now to peryade the forces
II the United States beyond what has
hitherto been exhibited in the numerous
battles that have occurred.
Our armies in general have displayed
.he courage and determination that
'hoaId inspire officers and soldiers fight
ny 10 defence Of the Government.
Under the calls Of July and August
here are already in the field over 400
200 new troops, OF which $4,000 are
volunteers, and Of these 1872, 900 have
volunteered for three years.
WAsHNGToN, Dec. 2. Nothing is
Known conhrmatory Of the report that
Gen, Burnside has been relieved Of the
command Of the Potomac.
The President has sent TO the Senate
he nominations Of Brig Gems. Sykes /
and ButterfeId to be Major. Generals and
sixteen Colonels 10 Bigadicr. Generals.
The estimates Of the Treasury Depart
nent unayoidably are delayed. The