Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-12-09
p..or, of Sen. Hausol-=fincaln,s Connander.in.Chis

RlD0Tt OF 0tus ndntCh--LluOOh .
General HaDeck has made a report to the federal
Secretary of War, giving a detail of operations since MS
appoip,ment to the chief command of the army, OF
which we present an abstract. He states that ne started
on the cath of July to visit the Army OF the fotomac'
to ascertain if there was a possibility OF an advance up
on Richmond from Harrison's Landing, and, ii not, 10
form some plan Of uniting the armies oil Gen' rope aha
Gen. Mcclellan, who was Of the opinion that 1t would
require O.OOO additional men to 60 on. halIeck re-
plied that there could not possibly be sent more than
10000. Mcclellan asked to consider the matter I'LL
morning, when he agreed to go on with that NUMBER
On Gen. Halleck's arrival home he received a despatch
saving that at least 5000 would be required.
The report states that such reinforcements could not
be sent without leaving Washington and Baltimore al
| most defenceless, and Halleck's order for the withdraw
| al of the army of the Potomac was issued August Sd; a
previous order having been given for the removal OF the
sick, and transports in vast number supplied; Out 'na'
a protest was received from Gen. McClellen on the 9Th,
and that the order was not put in force Tor eleven days
the l4th. On the LIST, orders were given to General
Burnside to embark at Newport News for Aqua Greek
who arrived there promptly on the night oil the 3D.
review of the movements before Washington i.
made. He SAYS that a part Of the army oil the Potomac
was ordered 10 the front from Alexandra, and that Ten
Cox was ordered to come by rail, via Washington, iron
Western Virginia, with the main portion OF his force
OF General Pope's order on the 9th, to General Porter
IN be AT Bristow Station the next morning, he says, 'fol
some unexplained reason Porter did not comply viii
the order. and his corps was not in the battle of the 2stf
and goth, in which Gen, Pope gained considerable
ground " though the battles were not decisive.
OF the reinforcement from Alexandria, embracing
At length the whole Peninsular army, 1t Is said some
of the corps moved with becoming activity but the de
Ly of others we're neither creditable nor ekcusable'"-
Tie soldiers actually engaged in those battles fought
With great bravery" but many thousands struggled away
from their commands and il is said that not a few
Voluntarily surrendered to The enemy, so as TO be parole'
a. "pri.oaers of war" 1t is added, Had the Army o
the Potomac arrived a few days earlier the rebel arm.
could have been easily defeated, and perhaps destroyed
The losses at South Mountain and Antietam are pu
At / ZAP killed, 5000 wounded and slS mis'ing-a tota
of lO,12l.
The reporf states that the army rested on the nortt
bank of the Potomac, near Sharpsburg, from the litI
of September until the 26th OF October, ana says ina
the inactivity of so large an army IN the lace oil See
Caated foe, and during the most favorable season 10
rapid marches and a vigorous campaign was a matter .
great disappointment and regret a.
Ce,crsi HsIleck saws he telegraphed Mcclellan Octo
her A 70 cross the river. General Mcclellan disapProve'
the pIan of crossing south of the Blue Ridge, but pro
posed 10 cross ut I~larper's Ferry and move on "inche'
ter hut did not cross until Oct. &c, and then at Berlin
the passage occupying till Nov. 3. During this perio'
General Mcclellan stopped communicating with tn
Commanderin Chief, addressing the President. TN I'M
Il 9Th his removal was ordered.