Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-12-04
GEN. HALLEcH's REPORT.

The Commander Chief In his report to
the Secretary Of War, states that he started
on the 24th of ulv to visit the army of the
Potomac Z" to ascertain If there was possible
lty of an advance upon Richmond from Har-
rison's Landing, and il not, to form some plan
of uniting the armies Of Gen. Pope and Gen.
Mcclellan" who was of the opinion that it
would require $4,000 additional men to go on
Halleck replied that there could not possibly
be sent more than 10000.
Mcclellan asked consider the matter till
morning, when he agreed to go on with that
number. ..a.. f..
On Gen. Hall4ck's arrival home, he re-
ceved dispatch saying that at least $4,000
would be required. @
The report states that such reinforcements
could not be sent without leaving Washington
and Baltimore almost defenceless, and an Or
der for the withdrawal of the army of the Po-
tomac was issued August Sd, a previous order
having been given for the removal of the sick,
and transports IN vast numbers supplied, but
that protest was received from Gen. McClel-
Ian on the 9th, and that this order was not
put in force for eleven days.
On the 18th one of the first orders were
given to Gen. Burnside to embark at Newbern
for Acquia Creek, who arrived there promptly
on the night of the Sd. A review of the
movements before Washington is made He
says that part of the army of the Potomac
was ordered to the front from Alexandria, and
Gen. Cox was ordered to come by rail, via
Washington, from Western Virginia with the
main portion of his force.
OF Gen. Pope's order on the 9th to Gen.
Porter to be at Bristow Station the next morn
ing, he says: s. For some unexplained reason
Porter did not comply with this order, AMI his
corps was not in the battles Of the 18th and
29th in which Gen. Pope gained considerable
| ground, though the battles were not decisive
Of the reinforcements from Alexandra, EN-.
| bracing at length the whole peninsular army
it was said some of the troops moved with be.
coming activity, but the delays of others were
neither credible nor excusable.
The soldiers actually engaged in these bat
ties fought with great bravery, but many
thousands struggled awayfrom their commands
and it is said that not few voluntarily sur.
! rendered to the enemy so as to be paroled a;
prisoners of war.
| 1t is added, had the Army of the Potomac
arrived few hours earlier, the Rebel army
! bputN idNO pNCh NhoAlJ uOiVdSCo anu "
DIES troyed.
The losses at South Mountain and Antietan
, are put at l742 killed, SU66 wounded, 81;
missing.
Total loss, 1921,
The report states that the army rested OF
the north bank of the Potomac, near Sharps
burg, from the 18th of September until tn
Doth of October.
1t says that the long inactivity of so larg
an army in the face of defeated foe, and dur
ing the most favorable season for rapid march
es and vigorous campaign, was matter o
disappointment and regret.
Gen. lialleck states that he telegraphet
Gen. Mcclellan Oct. 9th to cross the river
Gen. Mcclellan disapproved the plan of cross
ing south of the Blue Ridge, but proposed t
cross at Harper's Ferry, and move on Win
chester but did not cross until Oct Goth, AM
then at Berlin,-the passage occupying til
Nov. Sd.
During this period, Mcclellan stopped com
municating with the Commander-in-C Chief, ad
dressing the President.
On the 5th Of November his removal wa
ordered