The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-11-20

IctHptoIliy oIucTcu W CTOsS tue oIotudC
and give battle to the enemy, or drive
him south. said to him, ;" Your army
must move now, while the roads are in
good condition. 1t will be observed
that three weeks has elapsed since that
order was given.
Fourth, In my opinion there has
been no such want of supplies in the
army under General Mcclellan as to
prevent his compliance with my orders
to advance upon the enemy. Had he
removed his army to the south side of
the Potomac he could receive his sup
plies almost as readily as remaining in
active on the north side.
Fifth, On the 7th Of October, in a
telegram in regard to the intended
movement, Gen. Mcclellan stated that
he would require at least three days to
supply the 1st, 5th and 9th corps, that
they needed shoes, and other indispen.
sible articles of clothing as we'll as
shelter tents. No complaint was made
to me that his army acquisitions had
not been filed, and it was inferred from
his language that he was only hating
for the distribution of his supplies. On
the llth Of October he telegraphed to
me that portion of his supplies, sent
by railroad had been delayed. AS al
ready stated, agents were being sent
from here to investigate this complaint,
and they reported that everything had
gone forward. On the same date, the
llth, Gen. Mcclellan spoke of many
OF his horses being broken down by
fatigue. On the 18th of October, he
complained that the rate of supply was
only $50 horses per week for his entire
army there and in front of Washing.
ton. Immediately directed the quar-
termaster general to inquire into this
matter, and report why larger supply
was not furnished to Gen. Mcclellan.
Gen. McClellan's army in the field and
in front of Washington, for the previ.
Gus six weeks had been l, ,459 per week;
or s;454 in all.
In addition he reported to me that
large number of mules had been sup
Piled, and the number of these animals
with Gen. McClelan's army on the
Upper Potomac, was over 3,lOO. He
also reported to. me that he was then
sending that army all the horses he
could procure.
On the 18th of October, Gen. Me-
Clellan stated i'm regard to Gen. Meigs'
report, that he had filed every requisi-
tion for shoes and clothing "That
Gen. Meigs may have ordered these
articles to be forwarded, but they might
az well remain in New York or Phila-
delphia, so far as my army is concerned" !"
] Immediately called Gen. Meigs' atten-
tion to the apparent neglect Of his de-
partment.
On the goth of October he reported
as the result of his investigation, that
$4,000 pairs of boots and shoes had
beeu received by the quartermasters of
McClellan's army at Harper's Ferry,
Frederick and Hagerstown 10000
pairs were at Harper's Ferry depot on
the 21st, and that 10000 more were on
their way, and $4,000 more had been
ordered.
Col. Ingalls,, aid. d.de-camp and chief
of staff to Gen. Mcclellan, telegraphed
on the 25th as follows: "That suffer-
ing for want of clothing is exaggerated,
l think, and certainly might have been
avoided by timely reqnisition by the
regimental and brigade commanders" "
On the oath of October he tele-
graphed to Quartermaster General
Meigs that the clothing was "not de-
tanned in the cars at depots. Such
complaints are groundless. The fact
is, the clothing arrived and is issued,
but more is still wanted"
I have ordered more than would
seem necessary from any date furnished
me, and beg to remind you that you
have always very promptly met my re-
QUESTIONS. AS far as clothing is con-
cerned, our department is not at fault.
1t provides as soon as due notice is
given. / can foresee no time when an
army of over 10000 men will not call
for clothing and other articles. In re-
gard to Gen McOlellan's means of
promptly communicating the wants OF
the army to me, or to the proper bu-
reaus of the war department, l report
that in addition to the ordinary mails,
he has been in hourly communication
with Washington by telegraph. 1t is
due to Gen. Meigs that | should SUBJ
nit herewith a copy of telegram re.
ceived by him from Gen. Mcclellan.
Very respectfully your obedient servant
H. w. HALLECK, General-in- Chief