The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-15

Shed II Is, perhaps unnecessary 70 state that, in al
cien forces named IN this memorandum, strong
should tie formed ready 70 supply any losses
Ia ocnclusion, would submit that the exgepcies Of
the Treasury may DC lessened by making only partial
and ~ giving the obligations OF the United States for
such supplies as may there be obtained
GEO. b. MCCLELLAN, Major General
do not think the events Of the war have found these
views upon the method aud plans OF its conduct Alto
estimates of the number Of troops and scope OF opera
tons too srge.
II is probable that did underestimate the time neces
sary for the completion OF arms and eaupmerts was
not strange however that by many civilians iutrusted
posite opinion held in both these particulars.
The result OF the rst battle o. Manassas had been al
destroy the morale and organization Of our army,
and to alarm government and people me national capi
cal danger, Il necessary besides holding the
enemy in check TO build for is defence strong and
capable OF beng held by a small force.
ii was necessary also 10 create new army for active
operations, and TO expedite its organization equipment
nconsidersbe labor ali energies for the next three
months Constantly devoted
Time is Unnecessary element in the creation OF armies,
and do not therefore. think II necessary to more than
mention the mpatience with which many regarded the
delay the arrival OF new evesthough recruited and
pressed forward with Inexampled rapidsty-the manu-
facture and supply OF and equipments or The yehe
mence with which al immediate advance upon the enc
mys works directly in our front was urged oy patro
but sauguine people.
The President, too, was anxious for the speedy em.
plans through freauen conferences dcsired report
upon condition OF the forces under my command,
and the immediate to be taken to increase
their efficiency. Accordingly, in the latter part Of Octo
ber addressed the following letter to the Secretary OF
War
To the Hon SIMON CAMERON Secretary OF War
SR-!n conformity with personal understanding with
the President Yesterday have the honor TO submit the
following of the condition OF the army under
my command and the measures required for the pre-
servaon OF the and the suppression OF the
rebellion
II will be remembered that in a memorial had the
honor address the President after my arrival
Washington, and in my communication addressed to
Lieutenant General Scott under date OF the 9Th OF August
in my letter 10 the President authorizing him. at his
quest 10 withdraw the letter written by me to General
Scott and in my letter Of the Sth Of September
ing note or inquiry Of that date my views, the
same subject, are frankly and fully expressed.
In these several communications have stated the
force regarded necessary enable this army ad
with reasonable certainty OF success at the
time leaving the capital and the line OF the Potomac SUI
tcenty guarded not only TO secure the retreat OF the
main army the event Of disaster but to render 1t out
of the enemys power to attempt diversion in Mary.
land.
SO much time has passed. the winter is approach.
ing rapidly that but two courses are left to the gov
ernment viz-Either 30 into winter quarters to
assume the offensive with forces greatly inferior in
numbers 10 the army ] regarded as desirable and ne.
cessary. II political considerations render the first
unadvsable the second alone remains. While
regret that it has not been deemed expeden or, per-
haps possible the forces of the nation In
this vicinity (remaning on the defensive elsewhere)-
keeping the attention and efforts OF the fixed
upon this as the vital point where the issue OF the
great contest is to be decided, it may sim be
that. by introducing unity Of action and design
among the various armies OF the land; by de-
termining the courses TO be pursued by the
commanders under one general PLAN transferring
from the other armies the superfuous strength not
CURED for the parose in VIEW and thus reinforcing this
army whose destiny is to decide the coptrover
sy, may yet be able to move with reasonable pros
The nation feels, and share that feeling that the
Army of the Potomac holds the fate Of the couotry in It's
hands.
The stake is so vast the issue so momentous and the
effect OF the next battle will be SO important throughout
demo since entered upon the command OF
this army upon the government to devote its energies
and its available resources toward increasing the numbers
aud efficiency OF the army which its salvation depends
statement, carefully prepared BY the chiefs OF
gneers and artillery OF this gives as the necessary
Sso Of TINS 'i'y ana IT'S 0r'n'''ns $3.50 men, say
The present garrison OF baltimore aad its dependencies
is about 10000. have sent the chief OF staa TO
make careful examination into the condition OF these
troops and TO obtain the Information requisite TO enable
70 decide whether this number be diminished
the reverse Az least 5000 will be required to
watch the river hence 10 Hapers berry and It's vicinity
oo 70 guar hs s .Gwsr We have from
SPIES prisoners, &c, AGREES in showing that the enemy
have force on the oinac not less than 600 strong
well drilled and equipped ably commanded and strongly
intrenched II Is therefore, that TO secure success
to render IL reasonably certrin the active army should
hundred guns unless some material change occurs in the
force in front OF us.
Army OF the Potomac may be thus estimated
Men, Guns.
column III
Garrison Of the city OF Washington. $1,000 40
TO guard the Potomac TO Harpers Ferry. 5000 II
TO guard the lower Potomac. ........... 5000 "a
Garrison for Baltimore and annapolis. 10000 IL
Total effective force required. .2os 900 ass
men should the losses by sickness &c. not rise to
higher percentage than at present
Having stalled what regard as the requisite force 70
enable this army TO advance proceed TO give the
actual strength Of the Army OF the Potomac.
aggregate strength Of the Army OF the Potomac by
fha nfsr tal m mn
1853 3lS officers and men OF oil grades and arms THIS in
Guides the troops at Baltimore and Annapolis, on the
Upper and Lower Potomac, the sick, absent, &c.
The force preset Tor duty was ls7.e9s or this
number, 4,26s cavalry we're completely unarmed,
sSs edv'y Gny Sna sor held
tive OF those yet sufficiently dred) and reducing
for an advance 70 s5 the infantry regiments are
considerable extent, armed with uDservceabe weapons
s arms " %e s'0n
the army OF the Potomac insufhciently and In many
on the 5oth OF September there we're with this army
22s field guns ready for the held, far arms and
equipments concerned; some OF the batteries still
suce that esb. Nsw York batteries are n To hser
two others readyor the field. will stl az the New
the number required for the active column, saying
for the present Of those necessary for the garr
sons aud corps on the Potomac, which would make total
ihave thus briefly stated our present condition and
wants; remains to suggest the means Of supplying the
l. That all the cavalry and infantry arms fast q:
procured whether manufactured In this country pur
chased abroad be sent 10 this army, until It fully pre-
pared for the 1ed
tina. the two companies Of the Fourth artillery, now
understood 10 be route from fort Randall 10 Fortress
Monroe be ordered TO this army 20 be mounted at
also that the companies OF the Third artillery ro
California, be sent here. Had not tho order foI
Sesds battery 10 here from Harrisburg 10 replace
the battery gave Gen. Sherman been often counter
mandei would again ask for It.
O. That . more effective regulation may be made au
thorzipg the transfer OF from she volunteer 10
regular batteries infantry and cavalry, that may
make the best OF the invaluable regular skeletons
have no Official information the United States
forces elsewhere but from tie bcs, information can
obtain from the War Department and other sources am
led 10 believe that the United States troop. are
In western Virginia, about. 30 0oo
10 Kentucky 1000
10 Missouri. ......................... 80 00(
10 Fortress Monroe. IL 00(
Total. ......................lo1 00C
HpSid I am 4 hai thapa hun