The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-26

SECRETARY STANTON TO GEN. NJ CLELLAN.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON. D. c..
May Il, 1862.
Major Gen. George B. Mcclellan, Commanding
Army OF the Potomac, before Richmond.
Your dispatch to the President, asking
for reintOrcements, has been received and
carefully considered. The President is not
willing to uncover the capitol entirely, and
it is believed that even if this were prudent
1t would require more time to effect juno
ton between your army and that OF the
Rappahannock, by the way of the Potmac
and York Rivers, than by a land march.
In order, therefore, to increase the
strength OF the attack upon Richmond at
the earliest possible moment, Gen. Nc
Dowell has been ordered to march upon
that city by the shortest route. He is or
dered-keeping himself always in position
to cover the capital from ali possible attack
so to operate as to put his left wing in
communication with your right, and you
are instructed to cooperate so as to estab-
fish this communication rs soon as posi-
bic. BY extending your right wing to the
north of Richmond, it is believed that this
communication can be safely established,
either north or south of the Pamunky
River. In any event, you will be able to
prevent the main body Of the enemys
forces from leaving Richmond and falling
in overwhelming force upon General Nc
Dowell. He will move with between thir-
ty-fye and forty thousand men.
\ copy of the instructions to Major Gen.
Mcdowell are with this. The specific
task assigned to his command has been to
provide against any danger to the capital
of the Nation. At your earnest call for
reinfOrcements, he is sent forward to CO.
operate in the reduction of Richmond, but
charged in attempting this not to uncover
the City of Washington, and you will give
no orders. either before or after your juno
ton, which can keep him out of position
to cover this city. You and he will COM
municate with each other by telegraph or
otherwise as frequently as may be necessa-
ny for efficient cooperation.
When Gen. Mcdowell is in position on
your right, his supplies must be drawn from
West Point, and you will instruct your staff
officers to be prepared to supply him by
that route
The President directs that Gen. Nc
Dowel retain the command of the Depart
ment of the RappahannOck, and Of the
forces with which he moves forward
By order Of the President.
EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
Secretary of War.
SECRETARY STANTON TO GEN. M'DOwELI
WAR DEPT WASHINGTON CRY, d. CO.
May IL, 1862.
To Major General Mcdowell, Commanding De-
partment of the Rappahannock:
GENERAL: Upon being joined by Shields
division, you will move upon Richmond by
the general route of the Richmond and
Fredericksburg Railroad, cooperating with
the forces under Gen. Mcclellan, now
threatening Richmond from the line of the
Pamunky and York Rivers. While seek
ing to establish as soon as possible COM
munication between your left wing and the
right wing of Gen. Mcclellan, you will hold
yourself always in such position as to
cover the Capital of the Nation against a
sudden dash by any large body of the rebel
forces
Gen. Mcclellan will be furnished with a
CODY of these instructions, and will be di-
rected to hold himself in readiness to estab-
fish communication with your left, and to
prevent the main body of the enemy S
army from leaving Richmond and throwing
itself upon your column before junction
between the two armies is effected. A
copy of his instructions in regard to the
employment of your forces is annexed.
EDWIN VI. STANTON,
Secretary Of War.
GEN M'DOWkLL TO GIN. MCCLELLAN.
HEADQUARTERS Dept OF RAPPARAKs9cK,
Opposite Fredericksburg, May 30, 1sSs
/ Mai. Con. Geo 3 Mcclellan, Commanding
Army Of the Potomac, White House, Va
have reeeievd the or,iers of the Secre-