Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1862-12-03
GENERAL HALLECKS REPORT II
TIE SECRETARY OF WAR

WAsHNeToS, December 2.--General Hal
leck, the Commanderin-C Chief in his report 10
the Secretary of War, states that be stated on
the 2sth Of July to visit the army OF the
Potomac, TO ascertain il there was a possi5il-
ity Of an advance on Richmond from Harri-
sons Landing, and il not, to form some plan
Of uniting the armies Of General Pope and
Mcclellan, who we're Of the opinion that il
would require $4,000 additional men to 20 on
Helleck replied that there could not
possibly be sent more than 10000
Mcclellan asked leave to consider until
morning, when he agreed to 60 on with that
number
On Gen. Hallecks arrival home he receiv.
ed dispatch that at least 1000 would be re-
quired
The report states that such re-inforcements
could not be sent without leaving Washington
and Baltimore almost defenceless, and an or.
der for the withdrawal of the army of the
Potomac was issued August Sd, a previous
order having been given for the removal of
the sick, but protest was received from Gen.
Mcclellan on the 9th, aud that order was not
put in force for eleven days
On The let, orders were issued to General
Burnside to embark at Newport News for
Aqua Creek, who arrived there promptly on
the night of the third.
A review Of the movements before Wash
ington is made He says that part Of the
army of the Potomac was ordered forward
from Alexandria, and that General Cox was
ordered to come by rail TO Washington from
Western Virginia with the main portion of
his force
OF General Popes order, of the 9th, to
General Porter, to be at Brstow's station next
morning, he says for some unex planned reason
l.. Il. 4 4
corps was not in the battles of the 2Sth aud
29th, in which General Pope gained some
ground, although the battles were not decisive
OF the reiniorcements from Alexandria
embracing at length the whole peninsular
army, its said some of the corps moved with
becoming activity, but the delays of some
were neither creditable nor excusable
The soldiers actually engaged in these bat.
ties fought with great bravery, but many Of
the officers strayed away from their command
and il s said not few voluntarily surrender.
ed to the enemy 80 as TO be paroed as pris.
oners OF war II is added had the army of
the Potomac arrived few days earlier, the
enemy could have been easily defeated, and
perhaps destroyed
The losses al South Mountain aud Antie-
tom are put at l142 killed. S066 wounded and
9l5 missing-a total Of 1921 The report
sthtea mat the army rested on the north bank
Of the Potomac near Sharpsburg, from the
nth Of September until the 26th of October,
and says that the long inactivity, of so large
an army, in the face of defeated foe, and
during the most favorable season for rapid
marches and a vigorous campaign, was a mat
ter Of great disappointment and regret Gen.
Halleck states that he telegraphed Mcclellan,
October 9Th TO cross the river
General Mcclellan disapproved the plan of
crossing south Of the Blue Ridge, but propos.
ed to cross nt Harpers Ferry, and move on
Winchester, but did not cross till October 9th,
aud then at Berlin, the passage occupying till
November 3D. During this time Gen McClel.
Ian stopped communicating with the Com
mAnder in-Chief, addressing the President -
On the 9th his removal was ordered
The Secretary of War details the military
operations during the past year.
From a survey OF the whole field Of opera
tions it is apparent that whatever disasters
our army may have suffered at particular
points, great advance has been made since
the commencement of the war The Union
armies are now in command Of able officers
resolute and eager to crush the enemy by
vigorous winter campaign. The army of the
Potomac and Of the West are ready to vie
with each other in dealing the quickest and
heaviest blows against the enemy