Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-19
HEAno,Rs AMY OF rHn PoroMAc,

On Board Commodore, Apr. !, 1852.
MAJ. Gen. ~ p. Banks, CONG Fynh Army Corps
GENERAL; The change In Affairs In the Val
ley Of the Shenandoah has rendered necessary
a corresponding departure, temporary at least,
from the plan we some days since agreed upon.
In my arrangements, / assume that you have
n force amply sufficient to drive Jackson before
you, provided he is not reinforced largely.
also assume that you may find II impossible to
find ANYTHING towards Manassas for some days,
probably not until the operations Of the main
army have drawn all the rebel force towards
! Richmond.
You are aware that Gen. Sumner has, for
some days, heen at Warrenton Junction, with
two divisions of infantry, six batteries, and
two regiments Of cavalry, and that a roconnoi-
sance TO the Rappahannock forced the enemy
| to destroy the railroad bridge at RappahannOck
station, on the Orange q Alexandria railroad.
Since that time, our cavalry have found moth
| ing, on this side of the Rappahannock, In that
direction, and II seems clear that we have no
| reason to fear any return OF the rebels In that
quarter. Their movements near Fredericks-
burg also indicate final abandonment Of that
nelghborhood.
doubt whether johnson will now reinforce
jackson with view to offensive operations.
The time has probably passed when he could
have gained anything by so doing.
have ordered one of Summers divisions
! (that of RichardsOn) TO Alexandria for en-
barkatlon. Blenker's has been detached from
the Army of the Potomac, and ordered to re-
port to Gen. Fremont.
AbCrcrombie is probably at Warrcnton June
ton to-day-Geary at White Plains.
Two regiments of cavalry have been ordered
out, and are now on the way to relieve the two
regiments of Sumner. Four thousand infantry
and one battery leave Washington at. once for
Manassas. Some three thousand more will
move in one or two days, and soon after three
thousand additional.
will order BlenkeT to move on Strasburg,
and report to you for temporary duty so that,
should You find a large force in your 'front.' you
can avail yourself OF his aid. As soon as pos
sible, please direct him on Winchester, thence
to report to the Adjutant General of the Army
for orders; but keep him until you are sure
what you have in front.
In regard to your own movements, the most
important thing Is to throw Jackson well back,
and then TO assume such position as 10 enable
you TO prevent his return. As soon as the
railway communications are re-established, II
will be probably important and advisable Il
move on Staunton; but this would require com
munlcatlons and force of 5000 to 10000 fol
active operations. II should also be nearly co
incident with my own move on Richmond. Al
oil events not so long before II as to enable thu
= rebels to concentrate on you and then return
TO me.
fear that you cannot be ready in time; al
though u may COhlo III NoIg Nel WIN lOIC'
= less than have mentioned, after the main bat
, tie near Richmond. When Gen. Sumner leave
WarrentOn Junction, Gen. Abercrombie will
be placed In immediate command of Manassa
, and Warrenton Junction, under your genera
8 orders. Please inform me frequently oy tele
r gram and otherwise as to the state of things il
your front.
am, very truly, yours,
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
A Maj. Gen. Commanding.
p. S.-From wha have just learned,
would seem, that the two regiments of cayalr
+ intended for WaTenton Junction have gone 4
y Harper's Ferry. OF the four additional regl
ments placed under your orders, two should a
promptly an possible move by the shortest rout
on Warrenton Junction. I am, sir, very II
o spcctfully, your obedient servant,
L |