New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-03
THE DISASTROUS CAMPAIGN OF GEN. BUELL.
The Operations in the Departments of the
Gull, the South, the Indian
Eostilities, &c.
epee,,l Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune.

wAsnNeToE, D. c.. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1861
HEADauARrRRs The ARMY,
WAsHISGToS. 1862.
SIR: In compliance with Your orders, have the
honor to submit the following report Of military ope
Yations since the 23d of July last, when, in compi
ance with the Presidents order, assumed the com
mand of the army as General-in-Chef. The frs
thing to which my attention was called on my arri
val here was the condition of the army at Harrson'
Landing, on the James River. Immediately visit
ed Gen. McClellsns headquarters for consultation.
left Washington on the Oath and returned on the
9th. The main object Of this consultation was to
ascertain if there was possibility Of an advance
upon Richmond from Harrisons Landing, and if not
10 favor come plan Of uniting the armies Of Gen. Nc
Clellan and Gen. Pope on some other line Not
being familiar with the position and numbers of the
troops in Virginia, and on the coast, l took the
Presidents estimate of the largest number Of re-
endorsements that could be sent H. the Army Of the
Potomac. On the day Of my arrival at Harrison 8
Landing Gen. Mcclellan was Of opinion that he
would require at least $4,000 additional troops. /
informed him that this number could not possibly be
sent that was not authorized 10 promise him over
90 600 and that / could not well see how even that
number could be safely Withdrawn from other places.
He took the night for considering the matter, and
informed me the next morning that he would make
the attempt upon Richmond with the additional
20 900, but Immediately on my return to Washington
he telegraphed that he would require 5000,
force which it was impossible TO send him with
out leaving Washington and Baltimore almost de-
feDseless. The only alternative now left was
TO withdraw the Army Of the Potomac TO some
position where it could unite with that Of Cen.
Pope, and cover Washington at the same time that it
operated against the enemy After full consultation
with my officers deermed 10 attempt this junction
on the Rappahanock, by bringing McClellans forces
to Acqua Greek. Accordingly on the 3Oth July
telegraphed TO him to send away bis sick as quickly
possible, preparatory TO a movement Of his troops
This prelminaryto the withdrawal of his entire
army, which was ordered by telegraph on the sd of
August. In order that the transfer TO Acqua Greek
might be made as rapidly possible, authorized
Gen. Mcclellan 10 assume control Of all the vessels
in the james River and Chesapeake Bay, Of which
there was then vast fleet. The Quartemaster-
General was also requested TO send 10 that point
al the transports that could he procured. On the
9th received protest from Gen. Mcclellan, dated
che 4th, against the removal Of the army from Hs-
rlson's landing, q copy Of which is annexed, marked
EXHIBIT No. i, with my reply on the 9th, marked
Exhibit No. 2. On the LIST Of August l ordered
Gen. Burnside to Immediately embark his troops at
Newport News, transfer them to Acquia Creek, and
take position opposite fredericksburg This officer
moved with great promptness, and reached Acquia
Creek on the night Of the 81. His troops were i'm
nediatey landed, and the transports ssnt back 10
Gen. Mcclellan.
About this time received information that the
enemy was preparing a large force TO drive back
Gen. Pope, and attack either Washington or Balti-
more. Tle information direct and trust.
worthy that / could not doubt its correctness
This gave me serious uneasiless Tor the safety O
the capital and Maryland, and j repeatedly urged
upon Gen. Mcclellan the necessity of promptly
moving bA army 80 as to form junction with that
OF Gen. Pope The evacuation Of HarrisOn's
Landing, however, was not commenced ill
sLe I4th, eleven days after il was ordered.
Greatly discouraged at the prospect Of timely aid
from that quarter, authorized Gen. Pope 10 order
The main forces q Gen. Cox in Western Virginia
with ali possible dispatch by railroad TO JOIN him
VIA Washington To facilitate the withdrawal Of
TIE Army Of the Potomac from the Peninsula aud |
70 gam time BY demopetfation against the enemy,
UeL- rope pushed his forces across the RappahaIi-
n0GA' occupied CEpepper and threatened GOrdons- |
VINE, Jse ksons and Ewells forces were hurried TO |
i. te sspilhu, and On the 9th OF August encountered
B. okss Corps at Cedar Mountain A hard-fouQht
,at lie ensued and on the arrival Of re.epforcements
rom the Corps OF Gems Mcdowell and Sigel the
,nemy ell bsek upon the Rapidan and Gordonsville.
Dp lhSsl'th ew cavalry SURPRISED party Vi Two i