HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC,
Savage Station, June
28, 1862 – 12.20 a.m.
I now know the full history of the day. On this side of the
river (the right bank) we repulsed several strong attacks. On the left bank our
men did all that men could do, all that soldiers could accomplish, but they
were overwhelmed by vastly superior numbers, even after I brought my last
reserves into action. The loss on both sides is terrible. I believe it will
prove to be the most desperate battle of the war.
The sad remnants of my men behave as men. Those battalions
who fought most bravely and suffered most are still in the best order. My
regulars were superb, and I count upon what are left to turn another battle, in
company with their gallant comrades of the volunteers. Had I 20,000 or even
10,000 fresh troops to use to-morrow I could take Richmond, but I have not a
man in reserve, and shall be glad to cover my retreat and save the material and
personnel of the army.
If we have lost the day we have yet preserved our honor, and
no one need blush for the Army of the Potomac. I have lost this battle because
my force was too small.
I again repeat that I am not responsible for this, and I say
it with the earnestness of a general who feels in his heart the loss of every
brave man who has been needlessly sacrificed to-day. I still hope to retrieve
our fortunes, but to do this the Government must view the matter in the same
earnest light that I do. You must send me very large re-enforcements, and send
them at once. I shall draw back to this side of Chickahominy, and think I can
withdraw all our material. Please understand that in this battle we have lost
nothing but men, and those the best we have.
In addition to what I have already said, I only wish to say
to the President that I think he is wrong in regarding me as ungenerous when I
said that my force was too weak. I merely intimated a truth which to-day has
been too plainly proved. If, at this instant, I could dispose of 10,000 fresh
men, I could gain a victory to-morrow. I know that a few thousand more men
would have changed this battle from a defeat to a victory. As it is, the
Government must not and cannot hold me responsible for the result.
I feel too earnestly to-night. I have seen too many dead and
wounded comrades to feel otherwise than that the Government has not sustained
this army. If you do not do so now the game is lost.
If I save this army now, I tell you plainly that I owe no thanks
to you or to any other persons in Washington.
You have done your best to sacrifice this army.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN.
Hon. E. M. STANTON.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 11,
Part 1 (Serial No. 12), p. 61
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