New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-12

IL
possible for The defence OF Washington wac about
600 men, independently Of the corps Of Henerai
Mcdowell.
Q. Does The letter 70 which You refer Disclose
What pOi ion Of the troOps 10000 IN number were
present and fit for duty; and If II does NOT, state
your knowledge on the subject
/ A. The letter does not. NV recollection If that
the numbers stated in the letter present with
their regiments. cannot answer the question with
out referring TO ths retnrns, which will do.
| Q. Explain what you mean by dependenciee-
term used in the letter OF Washington
A. referred TO either OF the approaches 10 Wash
inpton both IN the direction OF The Orange and Al
exandria Railroad, aud bv the Shenandoah Valley
the instructions given in regard to the posting oil
these troops contemplated posting the mass OF them
in the vicinity of Manassas and on the line OF the
Manassas Gap Road way, near Front Royal, 20 that
! the whole force would be available on either ap-
pronch 10 the city; the let of April the date OF
the letter referred TO- wrote "a letter OF INSTRUCTIONS
TO Gen. Banke fer his guidance in posting troops in
front of Washington which letter would he more
full answer to the question than the general one
have given which will also submit TO the Court II
they desire II.
q. Gen. Mcdowell having made known to the
Court that his opinion II was sale and proper Tor
him 10 proceed TO cooperate with You aSanst Ricl-
mond, and having Welded his purpose 20 to 10 only
m obedience 10 higher orders, you viii state your
Judgment as to the soundness Of that opinion and
the military proprie,y of that purpose on the part oil
Gen Mcdowell to that end. fou will Inform the
Court what, III your judgment, was the object OF
Jackson's movement against Banks on or about
the 9th of May and what were the probabilities 81
the success Of that movement if left unaided by the
forces Of the enemy at Richmond, and If Richmond
were nj the time additionally threatened by Nc
Dowelrs cooperating with yOnl What force had
the enemy TO spare at that zine TO Jackson or other
wise to threaten Washington What were the
probabilities Of the force disposed watching
Washington, and in what time and in what manner :
! A. think Gen. Mcdowell was correct in his
opinion that ii safe and proper for HIM 10 unite
with the Army of the Potomac. think that lmme-
di,tely after the occupation Of Hanover Court
House by portion OF the Army Of tie Potomac,
there was no Rebel force of any consequence be-
tween Hanover Court.llouse and Gen. Mcdowell.
/ | think that the main object OF jackson movement
against Gen. Banks was 10 prevent re-eniorcemenlH
from being sent to the Army of the Potomac, and
expressed that opinion In telegram TO the President
within a day OF the time | received information
OF Jacksons movements. think that If Gen. Me
/ Dowell had moved direct upon Hanover Court
II )use instead of in tie direction OF Front Royal
Jackson would have rapidly reiraced his steps TO
loin the main Rebel army at Richmond. With u
strong army OF our IN the vicinity of Richmond
and threatening il, l DO not think the Rebels wonld
have detached Il sufficient force 10 seriously endan-
ger the ssfety OF Washington.
O. Had Gen. Mcdowell knowledge Of yonr let
Ter TO the President, and that il communicated in
/ formation TO the strength ana IOsltiob OF the
troops lett 10 cover Washington
A. | DO not think that he had; cent him copy.
O. Had Ger. Mcdowell knowledge Of the facts
disclosed In that communication, either derived from
consultations with You or otherwise. especially IN
respect 20 the number of troops left to cover Wash
ingiOn.
A. | think be had general knowledge Of the fscts
resulting from different conversations which he had
bat probably not full knowledge ar 10 the number
Of troops left.
O. STATE, us nearly as You eau, what knowledge
he had on that point.
A. canno, pretend TO recolleci, being busy IN the
details Of an expedition sc Lle ~ the one referred
to- and, holding many conversations, II j. Mlosr-
be for me TO remember what was communicated 10
Gen. Mcdowell. No one however, knew g. Wei
az myself the details.
O. DId YOU. IN your consultations 81 which Gen.
Mcdowell was a party. talk over the number OF
troops which would be left, when you should move
with the bulk Of the army TO the Peninsula
A.. Yes.
q. What was the largest number 81 troops ,nS-
Qrsted by any corps commander 10 ie lcii - cover
Washington with it, defensos; aud ia the oonnsc-
lion, state, If you can, The number proposed By Gen.
Mcdowell
A. Nv recollection Of the suggestions NJ 90 the
forces to be LETT varied from forty to hfty thousand.
| think Gen. Mcdowell proposed the latter mum
ber OF one Thing am confident. That with the
facts fresh in my mind, thought that leit more
than was suggested by any corps commander.
q. After .Jsck-on marched 10 attack Gen Banks,
did not forces leave Richmond to reeaiorce hn be-
fore lie had joined the enemys line, and bad you
reliable information that such wac the care and did
You not 70 report to the Government
A. Yea
O. DO you recollect Of this: Was not under
standing MP 20 the time you changed the order Of
embarkation and directed Summers corps 10 precede
that OF Gen. Mcdowell
A. 4 think 1t was.
I
/ q. Were tie other corps commanders beride Gen.
Mcdowell advised or informed IN any way by you
M 10 the position aud number OF the forces 10 be
eft for the defense of Washington
A. They were not Informed in writing, only in
general conversation; my recollection is that |
talked over the matter with him individually and
cOec lively.
/ Q. Will the witness please state IL the force to he
left in the Shenandoah Valley was included IN the
number for the defense of Washington
/ a. Yes
q. Can the witness state from memory about the
strength of the command to be left in the Sbenan-
doah Valley
siructions 10 Geu Banks, 10 which have already
referred, will give information on that whole sub
Jet.
/ q. DO Won moan to be understood that one corps
designed to be employed IN your movement, by the
route of the Pcninsua was 10 bs left TO Wash
ngtOn until the frs, corps was sent of 20 the PENN
sula should be opposed by the enemys force falling
back from Gordonsylle, and if 70, was Gen. Nc
Dowell left behind for that datyl
a. The ineans II water transportation had ren.
dercd II necessary to embark the army in successive
Positions aud the idea war TO leave Il oorps more,
which would be the laet TO embark IN position 10
cover Washington 80 long ~ there was danger Of
ito beng attacked by the enemy. Before | lef'
Washington / was satisfied that il aas not then IN
danger and | directed Slmuers corps to be- oui-
barked before Gen. McDowelr, for the reason
.ftal bod n. NsIt
] did not leave Gen. McDowells corps behind for
the purpose Of covering Washington, but expected II
to follow me the moment the transportation Tor it
was ready.