six weeks about were occupied in embarking this army and its materiel. CHERRY STONE INLET, En Aug. 14, 1862—12.30 a. m. "Burnside's troops are not a fair criterion for "Started to Jamestown island to talk with rate of embarkation. All his means were in you; found cable broken, and came here. Please hand his outfit specially prepared for the pur-read my long telegram. [See above despatch pose, and his men habituated to the movement. of Aug. 12, 11 P. M.] All quiet at camp. "There shall be no unnecessary delay, but I emy burned wharves at City point yesterday. can not manufacture vessels. I state these dif- No rebel pickets within eight miles of Coggin's ficulties from experience, and because it ap- point yesterday. Richmond prisoners state that pears to me that we have been lately working large force, with guns, left Richmond, north. at cross purposes, because you have not been ward, Sunday. properly informrd by those around you who "G. B. MCCLELLAN, ought to know the inherent difficulties of such an undertaking. "It is not possible for any one to place this army where you wish it, ready to move, in less than a month. If Washington is in danger now, this army can scarcely arrive in time to save it; it is in much better position to do so from here than from Acquia. Our materiel can only be saved by using the whole army to cover it if we are pressed. If sensibly weakened by detachments, the result might be the loss of much materiel and many men. I will be at the telegraph office to-morrow morning to talk with “G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major General. you. 'Major General H. W. HALLECK.” "Major General. 'Major General II. W. HALLEck, "Washington." To the reasons given in the foregoing desBefore I had time to decipher and reply to patch, to show why General Burnside's movement from Fort Monroe was not a fair criterion this despatch, the telegraph op..ator in Washfor our operations, the following may be added:ington informed me that General Halleck had He was not encumbered by either sick or wounded men. He had no cavalry, artillery, wagons or teams. His force consisted of infantry alone, with a few ambulances and officers' horses. His baggage was already on the transports, where it had remained since his arrival from North Carolina, and his men had only to resume their places on board. The cavalry and artillery mentioned in my despatches of the 7th, 10th and 11th were sent to supply his total deficiency in those arms. I may also repeat that the vessels used by General Burnside had not returned from Acquia when the army left Harrison's bar. gone out of the office immediately after writing this despatch, without leaving any intimation of the fact for me or waiting for any further information as to the object of my journey across the bay. As there was no possibility of other communication with him at that time, I sent the following despatch and returned to Harrison's Landing: "CHERRY STONE INLET, Aug. 14, 1862-1.40 a. m. "Your orders will be obeyed. I return at once. I had hoped to have had a longer and fuller conversation with you, after travelling so far for the purpose. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, "Major General. "Washington, D. C.” It will be seen, from the concluding paragraph able to embark all our sick men, two army corps "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, This "Berkeley, Aug. 16, 1862-11 p. m. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, "Major General Halleck, The phrase "movement has commenced," it need not be remarked, referred obviously to the movement of the main army, after completing the necessary preliminary movements of the sick, etc., etc. The perversion of the term to which the general-in-chief saw fit to give currency in a letter to the Secretary of war, should have been here rendered impossible by the despatches which precede this of the 14th, which show that the movement really began immediately after the receipt of the order of August 4th. The progress made in the movement on the 15th was reported in the following despatches: "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF the Potomac, August 15, 1862-12 m. "Colonel Ingalls this moment reports that after embarking the remaining brigade of MeCall's division, with the sick, who are constantly accumulating, the transports now disposable will all be consumed. "Two of my army corps marched last night and this morning en route for Yorktown, one via Jones's bridge, and the other via Barrett's ferry, where we have a pontoon bridge. The other corps will be pushed forward as fast as the road- are clear, and I hope before to-morrow morning, to have the entire arny in motion. matters with the utmost rapidity possible. · Major General Major General H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D. C." After the commencement of the movement it was continued with the utmost rapidity, until all the troops and materiel were en route, both by land and water, on the morning of the 10th. Late in the afternoon of that day, when the last man had disappeared from the deserted oamps, I followed with my personal staff in the track of the grand army of the Potomac, bidding farewell to the scene,still covered with the marks of its presence, and to be forever memorable in history as the vicinity of its most bri liant exploits.. Previous to the departure of the troops I had directed Captian Duane, of the engineer corps, to proceed to Barrett's ferry, near the mouth of the Chickahominy, and throw across the river at that point a pontoon bridge. This was executed promptly and satisfactorily, under the cover of gun-boats, and an excellent bridge of about 2,000 feet in length was ready for the first arrival of the troops. The greater part of the army, with its artillery, wagon trains, &c., "A report has just been received from my crossed it rapidly, and in perfect order and pickets that the enemy in force is advancing on safety, so that, on the night of the 17th, everyus from the Chickshominy, but I do not credit thing wass across the Chickahominy, except the it-shall know soon. Should any more trans-rear-guard, which crossed early on the morning ports arrive here before my departure, and the enemy do not show such a force in our front as to require all the troops I have remaining to Insure the safety of the land movement with its Immense train, I shall send every man by water that the transports will carry. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major General. "Major General H. W. HALLECK, “ Commanding U. S. A.” "HEADQUARTERS ARMY of the Potomac, Berkeley, Aug. 15. 1862-1.30 p. m. "The advance corps and the trains are fairly started. I learn nothing more in relation to reported advance of rebels via Jones's bridge. Shall push the movement as rapidly as possible. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, "Major General. Major General H. W. HALLECK, "Washington, D. C." "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THe Potomac, "Berkeley, August 15. 1862-10 p. m. "Coggin's point is bandoned. The whole of McCall's division, with its artillery. is now en route for Burnside. We have not yet transportation sufficient for our sick. I hope we will get it to-morrow. Porter is across the Chickahominy, near its mou, with his wagons and the reserve artillery. "Heintzelman at Jones's bridge, with a portion of his corps. They will all be up by morning. "Averill's cavalry on the other side. All quiet thus far. I cannot get the last of the wagons as far as Charles City court house before some time to-morrow afternoon. I am hurrying of the 18th, when the pontoon bridge was im mediately removed. General Porter's corps, which was the first to march from Harrison's landing, had been pushed forward rapidly, and on the 16th reached Williamsburg, where I had directed him to halt until the entire army was across the Chickakoiiny. On his arrival at Williamsburg, however, he received an intercepted letter, which led to the belief that General Pope would have to contend against a very heavy force then in his front. General Porter, therefore very properly took the responsibility of continuing his march directly on to Newport News, which place he reached on the morning of the 18th of August, having marched his corps sixty miles in the short period of three days and one night, halting one day at the crossing of the Chickahominy. The embarkation of this corps commenced as soon as transports were ready, and on the 20th it had all sailed for Acquia creek. I made the following report from Barrett's Ferry: side. Peck's wagons are now crossing; his di- Major General. "Major General H. W. HALLECK, "Comd'g U. S. Army, "Washington, D. C.” to their conduct at Yorktown, Williamsburg, West Point, Hanover Court House, and on the Chickahominy, as well as in regard to the seven days, and the recent retreat. "No one has ever said anything to cheer them but myself. Say nothing about me, merely give my men and officers credit for what they have done. It will do you much good, and will strengthen you much with them if you issue handsome order to them in regard to what they have accomplished. They deserve it. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, "Major General. Major General HALLECK, "Comd'g U. S. Army, Washington D. C." As no reply was received to this communica tion, and no order was issued by the general-inchief, I conclude that my suggestion did not meet with his approbation. On the 18th and 19th our march was continued to Williamsburg and Yorktown, and on the 20th the remainder of the army was ready to embark at Yorktown, Fort Monroe, and Newport News. had been transferred from Harrison's landing to All the personnel and materiel of the army The movement of the main body of the army on the different points of embarkation in the very this march was covered by General Pleasanton, brief period of five days, without the slightest with his cavalry and horse-artillery. That officer remained at Haxall's until the army had loss or damage. Porter's corps sailed from passed Charles City Court House, when he grad-Newport News on the 18th and 20th; Heintzelually fell back, picking up the stragglers as he proceeded, and crossed the bridge over the Chickahominy after the main body had marched towards Williamsburg. His troops were the last to cross the bridge, and he deserves great credit for the manner in which he performed this duty. General Averill did a similar service in the same satisfactory way, in covering the march of the 3d corps. man's corps sailed from Yorktown on the 21st. on that day I received the following telegram from the general-in-chief: "WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 1862-6 p. m. "Leave such garrisons in Fort Monroe, Yorktown, &c., as you may deem proper. They will be replaced by new troops as rapidly as possible. The forces of Burnside and Pope are hard pushAs the campaign on the Peninsula terminated ed, and require aid as rapidly as you can send here, I cannot close this part of my report with-it. Come yourself as soon as you can. By all out giving an expression of my sincere thanks and gratitude to the officers and men whom I had the honor to command. From the commencement to the termination of this most arduous campaign, the army of the Potomac always evinced the most perfect subordination, zeal and alacrity in the performance of all the duties required of it. The amount of severe labor accomplished by this army in the construction of intrenchments, roads, bridges, &c., was enormous; yet all the work was performed with the most gratifying cheerfulness and devotion to the interest of the service. During the campaign ten severely contested and sanguinary battles had been fought, besides numerous small engagements, in which the troops exhibited the most determined enthusiasm and bravery. They submitted to exposure, sickness, and even death without a murmur. Indeed, they had become veterans in their country's cause, and richly deserved the warm commendation of the government. It was in view of these facts that this seemed to me an appropriate occasion for the general-inchief to give, in general orders, some appreciative expression of the services of the army while upon the Peninsula. Accordingly, on the 18th, I sent him the following despatch: "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, "August 18, 1862-11 p. m. "Please say a kind word to my army, that I can repeat to them in general orders, in regard means see that the troops sent have plenty of ammunition. We have no time here to supply them. Moreover they may have to fight as soon as they land. “H. W. HALLECK, Maj. Gen. Commanding U. §. A "General MCCLELLAN." To which the following are replies: "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, "Fort Monroe, Aug. 21, 1862-7.30 p. m. "Your despatch of 6 P. M. received. I have not lost an hour in sending troops, nor will I. Franklin is here, and I will try to get some of his troops on board to-night. I had already ordered all the ammunition forward. I will put headquarters on board ship early to-morrow morning, so that I can leave at a moment's notice. I hope that I can get off to-morrow. Shall I go in person to Acquia, or do you wish to see me first in Washington? If you wish it, I can probably ship quite an amount of ammu nition for other troops than this army. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, " Major Genorat. "Major General HALLECK, "Washington, D. C." "Fort Monroe, Aug. 21, 1862–10.25 p. m. "I have ample supplies of ammunition for infantry and artillery, and will have it up in time. I can supply any deficiencies that may The exist in General Pope's army. Quite a number "If you have leisure, and there is no objec- Major General. Immediately on reaching Fort Monroe, I gave directions for strengthening the defences of Yorktown, to resist an attack from the direction of Richmond, and left General Keyes, with his corps, to perform the work, and temporarily garrison the place. I telegraphed as follows on the 22d: THE CAMPAIGN OF GENERAL POPE. On that evening I sailed with my staff fo IAcquia Creek, where I arrived at daylight on the following morning, reporting as follows: 'HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, "Acquia Creek, Aug. 24, 1862. "I have reached here, and respectfully report for orders. "G. B. MCCLELLAN,, 'Major General. "Major General HALLECK, I also telegraphed as follows: "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Arquia Creek, Aug. 24, 1862—2 p. m. "Your telegram received. Morell's scouts report Rappahannock station burned and abandoned by Pope, without any notice to Morell or Sykes. This was telegraphed you some hours ago. Reynolds, Reno and Stevens are supposed "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, to be with Pope, as nothing can be heard of "Fort Monroe, Aug. 22, 1862-2.15 p. m. | them to-day. Morell and Sykes are near Mor"Despatch of to-day received. Franklin's corps is embarking as rapidly as possible. Sumner's corps is at Newport News, ready to embark as fast as transportation arrives. Keyes is still at Yorktown, putting it in a proper state of defence. I think that all of Franklin's corps will get off to-day, and hope to commence with I shall then push off the Sumner to-morrow. cavalry and wagons. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, "Major General. "Major General H. W. HALLECK, "Washington, D. C.” risville post office, watching the lower fords of tion and duties. “G. B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding U. S. Army.” To which I received the following reply: "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major General H. W. HALLECK, “Commanding U. S. Army.” On the 23d Franklin's corps sailed. I reported this in the following despatch: "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 'WASHINGTON, August 24, 1862. give. I do not know either where General Pope to ascertain. "Major General MCCLELLAN." On the 26th, I received the following: "WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 1862–11 a. m. "There is reason to believe that the enemy is "Fort Monroe Aug. 23, 1862-1.30 p. m. moving a large force into the Shenandoah val"Franklin's corps has started. I shall start ley. Reconnoissances will soon determine. Genfor Acquia in about half an hour. No trans-eral Heintzelman's corps was ordered to report ports yet for Sumner's corps. "G. B. MCCLELLAN, "Major General H. W. HALLECK, to General Pope, and Kearney's will probably be sent to-day against the enemy's flank. Don't draw any troops down the Rappahannock at present. We shall probably want them all in the direction of the Shenandoah. Perhaps you had better leave General Burnside in charge at hannock station. Porter at Bealton, Kelly's, Acquia Creek, and come to Alexandria, as very' Darnell's, &c. Sumner will commence reach great irregularities are reported there. General ing Falmouth to-day. Williams's MassachuFranklin's corps will march as soon as it receives setts cavalry will be mostly at Falmouth to-day. transportation. I loaned Burnside my personal escort, 1st squadron Fourth regulars, to scout down Rappahannock. I have sent for Couch's division to come at once. As fast as I gain information I wil forward it, although yon may already have it. G. B. MCCLELLAN, "H. W. HALLECK, Major General G. B. MCCLELLAN." Ou receipt of this I immediately sailed for Alexandria, and reported as follows: "ALEXANDRIA, Aug. 27, 1862-9.40 a. m. "The town is quiet, although quite full of soldiers who are said to be chiefly convalescents. the affairs of the quarter-master's department are reported as going on well. It is said that the Bull run bridge will be repaired by to-morrow. The disembarkation of Summer's corps commenced at Acquia yesterday afternoon. I found that he could reach Rappahannock station earlier that way than from here. "G. B. MCCLellan, "Major General. Major General H. W. HALLECK, "Comd'y U. S. A.”. On the same day I received the following: “WASHINGTON, August 27, 1862. "I can get no satisfactory information from the frout, either of the enemy or our troops. There seems to have been great neglect and carelessness about Manassas. Franklin's corps should march in that direction as soon as possible. A competent officer should be sent out to take direction of affairs in that vicinity. H. W. HALLECK, "General-in-Chief. Major General MCCLELLAN." Upon the receipt of these I immediately sent the following telegram to General Heintzelman and Porter: "WASHINGTON, August 27, 1862. "Telegrams from General Porter to General Burnside just received, say that Banks is at Fayetteville. McDowell, Sigel, and Ricketts "ALEXANDRIA, August 27, 1862. near Warrenton, Reno on his right. Porter is "Where are you, and what is state of affairs? marching on Warrenton Junction to re-inforce What troops in your front, right and left? Pope. Nothing said of Heintzelman. Porter Sumner is now landing at Acquia. Where is reports a general battle imminent. Franklin's Pope's left, and what of enemy? Enemy burncorps should move out by forced marches, car-ed Bull run bridge last night with cavalry force. rying three or four days' provisions, and to be "G. B. McClellan, supplied as far as possible by railroad. Perhaps you may prefer some other road than to Centreville. Colonel Haupt has just telegraphed about sending out troops, &c. Please see him and give him your directions. There has been some serious neglect to guard the railroad, which should be immediately remedied. "H. W. HALLECK, * General-in-Chief. "Major General MCCLELLAN." I replied as follows: Major General. Major General HEINTZELMAN, Warrenton. "Major General PORTER, Bealton. "P. S. If these general officers are not að the places named, nearest operator will please have message forwarded." I also telegraphed the general-in-chief as follows: “ALEXANDRIA, August. 27, 1862—10.50 p. m. "I have sent all the information I possess to Burnside, instructing him to look out well for Alexandria, August 27, 1862-10.20 a. m. | his right flank between the Rappahannock and"Telegram this moment received. I have Potomac, and to send no trains to Porier withsent orders to Franklin to prepare to march out an escort. I fear the cavalry who dashed with his corps at once, and to repair here in at Bull run last night may trouble Burnside a person to inform me as to his means of trans- little. I have sent to communicate with Porterportation. Kearney was yesterday at Rappa- and Heintzelmau via Falmouth, and hope to |
