The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-12
REPORT OF GEN. HALLEcK.
His Review Of CircusBsi sin nces Connected
with thc Recent Campaign.
IMPORTANT DETAILS.
WAsnrSoros, Dec. 2.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.
The Commandcr.in- Chief, in his report to
the Secretary Of War. states that he started
on the 2itb of July to visit tho army OF the
Potomac, to ascertain IL there was q posi-.
blity Of an advance upon Richmond from
Harrison's Landing. and II not To form somc
plan of uniting the armies Of Gen. Popo
and Gen. Mcclellan. The latter was of
opinion II would require 80 900 additional
men to 90 on. to which Gen. IIallcck replied
that there could not possibly he sent moro
than 10000. Gen. Mcclellan asked TO con-
slider the matter until morning. when he
agreed .o go with that number. On General
lIalleck' arrival home he received dispatch
saving that at least 35 900 men would be re-
auired. The report states that such REIN
forcements could not he sent without leaving
Washington and Baltimore almost defense.
less, and an order for the withdrawal OF tho
Army OF the Potomac was issued Aug. 3, q
prior order having been given for the re.
moval of tho sick. and transports In vast
numbers supplied for that purpose. but u
protest was received from Gen. Mcclellan
on the 5th, and the order was not put in
force for eleven days. On the lst OF August
orders were given to Gen. Burnside TO en-
bark at Newport News for Aqua Creek,
and he arrived there promptly on the night
OF the 3D..
The report contains a review of the move
ments before Washington. II says that
part Of the Army Of the Potomac was ORDER
ed to the front from Alexandria. and that
Gen. Cox was ordered to come by rail via
Washington from Western Virginia with tho
main portion OF his force. EI
OF Gen Popc's order on the 9th to Gen.
Porter to bc at Bristol station tho next morn.
ing. Gen. Ilalleck says that, for some une1.
plained reason, Gen. Porter did not comply
with the order. and hi corps was not in tho
battles of the 2sth AMI 10Th. in which Gen.
Pope gained considerable ground, though the
battles were not decisive.
Of the reinf,rccments from Alexandria,
embracing tho whole Of tho Peninsula army.
tho report says somc OF the corIs moved with
becoming activity. but the delays Of Others
were neither creditable nor eIcusable. Tho
soldiers actually engaged in those battles
fought with great bravery, but many thou'.
ands struggled away from their commands,
and, ii Is said. not few Voluntarily surren-
dercd TO the enemy, In order TO be paroled 10
prisoners of war. "IIad the army Of tho Pc
tomac arrived few DAYS earlier. the rebel
army could have been easily defeated and
perhaps destroyed"
The losses at South Mountain and Antie-
tam are put at l724 killed. 5000 wounded
obd 9l3 missing.
The report states that the army rested on
the north hank OF the Potomac near Sharpe
burg from the 18th Of September until the
26th OF October. and says the long season Of
inactivity Of 20 large an army In the face Of
n defeated Zoe. and during the most favora.
BILE season for rapid marches and a vigorous
campaign was a matter Of great disappoint.
ment and regret. nIIf
Gen. Halleck states thst he telsgraphed
General Mcclellan Oct. to cross the river.
Gen. Mcclellan disapproved Of crossing south
Of the Blue Ridge, bot proposed TO cros at
Harpers Ferry and move on Winchester
but did no. cross till Oct. l6. and then at
Berlin. the passage occupying until Nov. 8.
During this period Gen. Mcclellan stopped
communicating with Gen. Halleck, address
ing tho President. On the 5th his removal
was ordered. f