Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-21


any new base of operations, the city of Wash
lngton shall be left entirely secure.
The other points of the order it is unneces-
sary to consider, as the enemy, since its date,
have abandoned their positions and batteries
on the Potomac, and retired behind the Rap
pahannock.
Second, The council of general officers held
at Fairfax Court House March 10, took place
after the enemy had retired from Manassas
and destroyed the railroad in their rear.
The council decided unanimously to take
up anew base of operations from fort Mon
roe, and three of the generals, a majority, de-
cided that the force necessary TO be left should
be sufficient to fully garrison the forts on the
right bank of the Potomac, and ''to occupy"
those on the left bank with covering force of
$4,000. 1t is, we think, the judgment of otli-
GERS that some 10000 men would be necessary
thus to man these forts-which, with the num-
Der of the covering force, would make total
of So, 900 men.
Third-The presidents directions of March
ID, to Gen. Mcclellan directs:
l. 70 leave such a force at Manassas juno
ton as shall make it entirely certain that the
enemy may not repOssess it.
2. That Washington shall be left entirely
secure.
,. That the remainder of the army move
down the Potomac-or move in pursuit Of the
enemy.
In regard to occupying Manassas Junction,
as the enemy has destroyed the railroads lead
ing to it, it may be fair to assume that they
have no intention of returning for the reoccu-
patton of their late position, and therefore no
very large force would be necessary to hold
that position.
4. Major General McClcllan's report to the
adjutant general, of April |, after giving the
several positions Of the troops proposed to be
left for the defense Of Washington, gives
representation as tollows
AT Wanenton there is to be.................. 1880
At manassas, say. 500
In the Valley OF the Shenandoah. ,467
On the Lower Potomac. $50
In all.......................... 80, 456
And then would be left for the garrisons
and the front of Washington, under General
WadswOrth, some $4,000.
In the above enumeration Gen. Banks
army corps is included, butwhether this corps,
operating i'll the Shenandoah Valley, should
be regarded us part of the force available for
the immediate protection of Washington, the
Undersigned express no opinion.
.. Gen. Wadsworths report, of April 3,
gives his force us follows =
luiantry
aftliely'. 4,294
Cavalry (siX companies only mounted)...... S4S
Total. ........................... Az
Deduct sick, i'll arrest and confinement. l455
Total for NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1902
From this force Gen. Wadsworth is directed
to detach two good regiments to Richardson's
division, Summers corps, which should be de-
Quoted from his command, one regiment to
replace the 3Ith New York, in Heinzelmans
old division, and one regiment to relieve Il
regiment OF Hooker'S division at Budd'S Ferry,
total, four regiments. He is also ordefed to
send 1000 men to relieve Sumner at Manassas
and Warrenton.
Gen. WadSwOrth represents that he has no
mounted light artillery under his command;
says there are several companies of reserve
artillery still here, but not under his command
or tit for service.
Zen. Wadsworth further reports that near
ly all tile force is new, i.s.p esfoatls, disc,
pinned; that several regiments are in very
dIsOrganized condition, some OF them hay
ing been relieved from brigades which
have gone into the field, in consequence Of
their unttneSs for service, the best regiments
remaining having been selected to take their
places Two heavy artillery regiments and
one infantry regiment which had been drilled
Tor months i'll artillery service, having been
Withdrawn from the forts on the south side of
the Potomac, and their places supplied with
new infantry regiments entirely unacquainted
with the duties OF that arm, and Of little or no
value in their present position.
Ii there was need Of military force for the
safety Of Washington, within its own limits,
that referred to i'll the report Of Gen. Wads-
worth would seem to be entirely inadequate
In view Of the opinion expressed by the coun-
ell OF tine commanders OF army corps of the
force necessary for the defence of the capital,
though not Numerically stated, and OF the
force represented by Gen. Mcclellan as left
for that purpose, we are of opinion that the
requirements of the president that this city
shall be ''eft entirely secure not only in the
opinion of the general-in chief, but that of
the commanders Of the army corps" also,
has not been fully complied with.
All OF which is respectfully submitted
(Signed) l.. THOMAS, AdJutant.General.
L. A. HITCHCOCK,