Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-06
Gen Haiieck's Report.
WARRINGTON. Dec. 9. 1


General Halleck has written to Secretary
Stanton an exceedingly long report Of military
operations since the 23i OF July last, when be
took command. He says he Visited Mcclellan
TO zee whether there was any probability of sue
GEES by that mode of advancing on Richmond,
and II not, to form some plan for uniting Pope's
and McClellan's armies on eome other line..
Upon arriving at Harrison's Landing McClel-
Ian told him he must have at least fifty thous-
and additional troops. Halleck estimated that
twenty thousand was the utmost number that
could possibly be found to send. Mcclellan
took one night to consider. He then told Hal
leck he would make an attack on Richmond
with the twenty thousand reinforcements.-
With that understanding Halleck returned to
Washington There he received dispatch
from Mcclellan, saying he could not leave
without thirty.ive thousand. lt being wholly
impossible then to furnish this number, Hslleck
ordered the withdrawal Of the army from the
Peninsula Mcclellan AZ once forwarded the
following protest;
"BERKIEY, Va, August Ala M.
$50 Msjor.Gensral BAlIeOk. commSnderln Chief
"Your telegram OF last. evening is received.
[ must confess that IL has csused.me thegreat.
est pain ever experienced, for am convinc.
ed that the order to withdraw this army to
Acouia Greek will prove disastrous In the ex.
tfeme to our csuee. fear ID will be fatal
blow. Several days are necessary to complete
the preparations for 90 important q movement
as Is this. While they are In progress, beg
that careful consideration may be given to my
abatement. This army is now In excellent die
cIpline and condition. We hold q debouehe on
both banks Of James river, so that we are free
to act In any directions and with the assistance
of the gunboats, / consider our communicatious
as now secure.
eve are twenty-five miles from Richmond,
and are not likely to meet the enemy in force
sufficient to fight battle until we have reach
ed fifteen to eighteen miles, which brings US
practically within ten miles Of Richmond. Our
largest line of land transportation would be
from this point twenty-five miles, but with the
aid Of gunboats We can supply the army by
water during lite advance certainly to within
twelve miles of Richmond. AT Acquia Creek
we vouldibe seventy.hve miles from Richmond,
With land transportation ell the way. From here
90 Fortress Monroe ia march Of about seventy
miles, for regard 1t 90 impractioable to With
drp v this army and its material except by land.
Tne result Of the movement would thus be to
march one hundred and thlFty-fve miles to
reach q point now only twenty-five miles dis
tsnt, and to deprive ourselves entirely Of the
powerful aid Of gunboats and water trenspor
tation. a4
"Add to this the certain Generalization of
the army, which would insure the terrible de-
pressing effect upon the people OF the North,
and the stern probability that IL would influence
foreign powers to recognise our adversaries;
and there appears to me sufficient reasons to
make Il my Imperative duty to urge, in the
strongest terms afforded by our language, that
this order may be resoinded, and that, far from
recalling this army, IL be promptly reinforced,
10 enable it 70 resume the offensive. Il may
be said there are no reinfofcements available
I point to Gen. Bsyafd's force; to that of Gen.
Pope not necessary to maintain strict defense
In front Of Washington and Harpsrs Ferry; to
those positions of the army Of the West not re-
uuired for strict defense there. Here directly 10
front OF the army 10 the heart Of rebellion. IL 10
hare that all our resources should be collected
TO strike the blow which will determine the
fate of this nation, ell points of secondary
Importance elsewhere should be abandoned
sud every available man brought here. A de-
cided victory here, and the military strength
of rebeldom would be crushed. Il matters not
what partial reverse We may meet with else
where, here is the true defense Of Washington.
Il is here on the banks Of the James river that
the fate of the Union should be decided, Clear
In my convictions Of right, strong 10 the con-
seriousness, l have ever been aud an still &C.
tusted solely by love Of my country, knowing
that no ambition or selfish motives have In
Auenced me from the commencement of this
war. ] do now what never did 10 my life be-
fore--I entreat that the order may be rescind-
ed If my counsel does not prevail, will, with
. sad heart, obey your orders to tho utmost Of
my power, devotipg to the movement, one Of
The utmost delicacy and difficulty, whatever
,kill may possess. Whatever the result may
De, and may God grant that am mistaken 10
ny forebodings, Ishall at least have the In |
;ernal satisfaction that I have written and
poken frankly and have sought to do the best
q my power to avert disaster from my county. |
[Signed,l &c. B. MCCLELLAN,
"Msjor- General"
On consideration Of this dispatch after Its
eceips at Washington, the Government through
General HAlLEoK, on the 9Th Of August, re.
,ested the order to General MoCLRLLAN and
squired him to withdraw his army from the |
ames river, The facts that have since trans.
tired show the ssgscily Of General MCCLELLAN
md the folly of the order Of the Govern.
nent.