The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-12-11
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
WAsnrNeroN, Nov. rs, 1862.

WAsntNeroN, Nov. %, 1862.
Hon 4. II. stanton, Secretary of War |.
SIR: In compliance with your orders,
have the honor to submit the following
report of military operations since the Esd
Of July last, when. in compliance with the
Presidents ORDER Of July IL, assumed
command OF the Army ~ General in
Chief.
The FIRST thing to which my attention
was called on my arrival I.ere, was the
condition Of tho army ct Harrison Land
ing ON the James river. ! i'm mediate
ly visited General McClellan's head.
quarters for consultation. left Wash
iueton on the cath, aEi returned On the
9Th. The main object of this consulta-
ton WAS to ascertain If there was posi-
bility Of an advance upon Richmond from
Harrison's Landing; and. if not, to form
some plan Of uniting the armies Of Gen.
Mcclellan and Gen. Pope on some other
line. Not being familiar with the posi-
llon and numbers of the troops in Viz
GINA, and ON the coast, took the Presi-
dents estimate of the largest number OF
| reinrorcements that could then be sent to
the Army of tho Potomac.
i On the day Of my arrival at Harrison q
Landing, Gen. Mcclellan was Of opinion
that he would require at least fifty thous.
and additional troops. informed him
that this number could not possibly be
sent, that was not authorized to promise
him over twenty thousand, and that !
could not we'll see how even that number
could safely be withdrawn from other
places. He took the night for consider
ing the matter and informed me the next
morning that he wonld make the attempt
upon Richmond with the additional
twenty thousand. Bat Immediately on
my return to Washington, he ,eIegraphed
that he would require thirtys6ve thous-
and. force which it was impossible to
send without leaving Washington and
Baltimore almost defenceles. The only
alternative now left was to withdraw the
Army Of the Potomac 10 some position
where it could unite with that of General
Pope and cover Washington at the same
time that it operated sgainst ahe enemy.
| After full consultation with my oiicera,
| attempted 70 form this junction ON the
Rappahannock, by bringing Mcclellan
forces 10 Acquia Greek. Accordingly,
on the S0th OF July I telegraphed 70 send
away his sick a. quickly as possible, prep
!. arasory to movement Of his troops. This
was preliminary 70 the withdrawal Of has
entire army, which was ordered by tele.
graph on the Sd of August. In order
that the transfer to Acquia Creek nigh,
be made rs rapidly - possible, author
ICED General Mcclellan to assume con
troll Of al the vessels on the james rive1
and Cheaapeske Gay, II which thers VA
then = vsst Aeet. The Quartermastel
General was also requested 70 send TO tha
point oil the transports that could b,
procured. 2
\ On the 9th ! received q protest from
General McC lellan, dated the 4th, agains
!. tho removal Of the army from Harrison
! Landing. . copy Of which is annexed
marked Exhibit No. / with my reply o,
the 9th, marked Exhibit No. z.
u tho lst Of August / ordered Gen
Burnside. TO Immediately embark hi
troops II Newport News, transfer then
J to Acquia creek, and taks position oppo
, site fredericksburg. This oiacer move,
Nth S,e.. r.c-rr..:n:e.-=, and reached AZ
quia creek on the night Of the Sd. 4 iii
troops ware Immediately landed. and Ii,
Transports sent back to General HcCssl
Ian. ls3H .5r,
AT this time | received informatloI
that the enemy WIS preparing iarg
force 70. drive back General Pepe,. IN,
attack either Washington or BAltimors
] The information Was 80 direct and rcln
blss that ! could not doubt ita correct
ness. This gave me serious unsasinss
for the safety Of The capitAl and Asry
} land. and repeatedly urged upon Gen
! Mcclellan The necessity Of promptly NOV