The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-02-01
The Generals Letters to- the
President, Secretary of
the War, and Military
Commanders.
The Virginia, Peninsular, and
Maryland Campaigns.
How the Army of the Potomac
Fought and How its Sacrifice
were Rewarded in Washing
LODI.
General McClellan's Tribute
to his Soldiers. .
(COncLuded.)

C0nctu0ed. '.. '--
General Halleck wrote at much length to
Gen. Mcclellan giving his reasons for in
sisting on the removal and urging the SUI
periOrity of the Fredericksburg base of op-
orations against the rebel capital.
Gen. Mcclellan at once on the 7th pro-
ceeded to put in course of execution the or.
der of removal as rapidly as the condition
of the transport service would permit five
batteries of artillery sent on. the morning
ofthe Sth having taken his available trans
port-when on the 9th he received a tele-
gram charging him with Unsatisfactory de
lay" The next day the Quartermaster's
Department informed the general that Iii
ne could cause more speedy return of the
steamers sent away, it would facilitate mat.
ters" The charge of "delay" was, how
ever, reiterated by telegraph on the same
day from Washington. -".
On the 18th General Halleck telegraphed
that perhaps the government was misinlor-
med as to the state of the facts in regard
to the transport facilities at Harrison's
bar. ..,
.ssa0n the 18th General Mcclellan endeavor
ed>to secure a conversation by telegraph
with Gen. Halleck, who briefly replied col
his first communication. and then left the
Washington telegraph Office -wisheae -aeti-
hyng bis intsfIocatef isfT shY &C.
-hThe preliminary movement Which had
begun on the receipt otthes first orders was,
now followed up by the movement Of the
whole force by land Eand water On the
10th General Porter, in the land advance,
reached williamsburg; where he had been
directed to halt till the whole army should
have crossed the Caic'; ,hominy. He inter
cepted a rebel dispatch, however, which led
him to believe that heavy forca was then
massing against General Pope, and at once
pressed forward on his own responsibility
to Newport News, which he reached on the
18th, marching his corps SIXTY miles through
most difficult country in, three
days. ..-.
By the Goth the whole army was at York
town; Newpor: News and Fortress Monroe.
Great credit j. given to Pleasenton and Av-
erll for the way in which they covered this
important movement.
Impressed with the gallantry, fidelity and
devotion of his army, General Mcclellan, on
the 18th of August, begged General Halleck
by telegraph 70 say kind word to the
army, which he might repeat in general or
ders. To this request 10 reply whatever
was returned. -.-----.-..
On the 23d, Gen Mcclellan left in per-
son Tor Acquia, Franklin's corps having em
barked, and no transports having yet been
sent for Summers corps. sou.
The next day Gen Mcclellan reported
for duty and, as before, orders and inlorma-
ton, He received from Gen. Halleck the
following reply: "You ask for information
| cannot give | do not know where Cen.
Pope is, or where the enemy in force is y
On the 26, General Mcclellan was ordered
to Alexandria, wence the enext day he repor-
ted -
For the next few days all was confusion
in Washington, and Gen. Mcclellan was
continually telcgraphed to ascertain fact
and take precautions. On the - he recelv-
ed news OF the destruction of Taylor
and urgently asked for cavalry to ascertain
tue true state Of affairs, as we'll as for au-
thority to use his available troops for the
protection Of Washington. The next day
General Halleck telegraphed his fears Of a
cavalry raid in the night upon Washington
and asked Tor some Irregular officers" to be
sent to him. On the 29th the PRESIDED
telegraphed to Gen Mcclellan, asking for
news generally" The general replied that
Pope must be relieved or the capital made
safe at once and asked "What are my orders
and authority? ask for nothing, but will
obey whatever orders you give" The Pres
ident replied that he left all to General
Halleck, "aided by the counsels of General
Mcclellan" Information was now in the
possession of the latter which led him tc
believe the enemy to be in force in Manas-
as; and as General Franklin, when he wa:
pushing forward, under orders from Wash
ineton, had but between 10000 aud II, ,O0O
men, he N we'd that general with great eau
ton. The transportation Was also in de.
piorabfe condition.
On the Both Gen. Mcclellan was ordered
to send artillery ammunition at once to
Centreville for Pope, no instructions as tc
caliber being given. All the ammunition
that could be loaded was sent, and ak the
force: and Gen. Mcclellan on the 30th, a,
1890 A. NJ, telegraphed: 81 can do no more;
vou now have every man of the Army OF
the Potomac who is within my reach" A.
1890 the same night he telegraphed: Il
cannot express to you the pain and mort
s