The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-12-06
The Haileek and Mcclellan Cores
DODdence.


General Halleck has written to Secre-
tary Stanton an exceedingly long report
of military operations since the 23d of
July last, when he took command He
says he visited Mcclellan to see whether
there was any probability of success by
that mode Of advancing Oh Richmond,
and if not, to form some plan for uniting
Pope's and Mcclellan armies on some
other line
Upon arriving at Harrison's Landing
Mcclellan told him he must have at least
$4,000 additional troops Halleck esti-
mated that 10000 was the utmost num-
Der that coull possibly be found to send.
Mcclellan took one night to consider.
He then told Halleck he would make an
attack on Richmond with the 10000 re-
endorsements. With that understanding
Halleck returned to Washington There
he received a dispatch from Mcclellan,
saying he could not leave without 80, 600
1t being wholly impossible then to fur
nish this number, Haleck ordered the
withdrawal of the army from the PENN
sula. Mcclellan at once forwarded the
following protest: i
"BERLEY, Va, Aug. 4-l2 NJ
To Major General HaHeck, Commoa-
der-in- Chief:
Your telegram of last evening is re-
ceived. Imust confess that it has caus-
ed me the greatest pain | ever expert
enced, for | am convinced that the order
to withdraw this army to Acquia creek
will prove disastrous in the extreme to
our cause fear it will be fatal blow
Several days are necessary to complete
the preparations for so important a move
ment as is this. While they are in pro-
gress, beg that careful consideration
may be given nv statement. This army
is now in excellent discipline and condi-
ton We hold adebouche on both banks
of James river, so that we are free to act
in any direction; and with the assistance
of the gunboats, | consider our commu-
nications as now secure,
We are twenty-five miles from Rich
mond, and are not likely to meet the enc
my in force sufficient to fight a battle
until we have reached l5 to Is miles,
which brings US practically within ten
miles of Richmond. Our longest line of
land transportation would be from this
point twenty-five miles, but with the aid
of gunboats we can supply the army by
water during its advance certainly to
within twelve miles of Richmond. At
Acquia Creek we would be seventy-ive
miles from Richmond, with land trans
portation all the way. From here to
Fortress Monroe is a march Of about 20
miles, for l regard it as impracticable to
withdraw this army and IFS material eX-
cept by land The result of the move
ment would thus be to march 1875 miles
to reach point now only p miles dis
tant, and to deprive ourselves entirely of
the powerful aid of gunboats and water
transportation Add to this the certain
decentralization of the army, which
would insue the terrible depressing effect
on the people Of the North, and the
stern probability that it would influence
foreign powers to recognize our adver-
saries; and there appears to me sufficient
reasons to make it my imperative duty to
urge, in the strongest terms afforded by
our language, that this order may be re-
cinded and that, far from recalling this
army, it be promptly reinforced, to enable
it to resume the offensive 1t may
be said there are no re-inforcementS
available. point 10 General Bayard'
force; to that of General Pope, not nee
essary to maintain strict defense il
front of Washington and Harper's Fer
~; to those positions Of the army of the
West not required for strict defense
there. Here directly in front of the
army is the heart Of rebellion. 1t is her,
-that all our resources should be collected
to strike the blow that will determine the
fate of this nation, all points of second
airy Importance should be abandoned
and every availa bic man brought here
A decided victory here, and the militar,
strength of rebeldom would be crushed
1t matters not what partial reverses W,
may-meet with elsewhere, here is th,
true defense of Washington 1t is her
on the banks of the James river that tn
fate of the Union should be decided.
Clear that in my convictions of right
strong in the consciousness | have eve
) been, and am still actuated solely by low
of my country, knowing that no ambi
; ton or selfish motives have influence
me from the commencement Of this wal
| do now what l never did in life befor
i entreat that the order may be rescir
ded If my counsel does not prevail
will, with a sad heart, obey your orders t
t the utmost of my power, devoting to tn
movement, one of the utmost delicac
r and difficulty, whatever skill l may pos
sess. Whatever the result may be, an
may God grant that am mistaken in m
forebodings, l shall at least have the il
| ternal satisfaction that | have write
i and spoken frankly and have sought t
i do the best in my power to avert disaste
: from my country.
i Signed, G. B. MCCLELLAN,
: Maj. General
OFFICIAL COPY
" HEADoUARTERs OF THE Army,