CAMP AT EWELL'S FARM,
Three miles beyond
Williamsburg, May 10, 1862 – 5 a.m.
From the information reaching me from every source I regard
it as certain that the enemy will meet us with all his force on or near the
Chickahominy. They can concentrate many more men than I have, and are
collecting troops from all quarters, especially well-disciplined troops from
the South. Casualties, sickness, garrisons, and guards have much reduced our
numbers, and will continue to do so. I shall fight the rebel army with whatever
force I may have, but duty requires me to urge that every effort be made to
re-enforce me without delay with all the disposable troops in Eastern Virginia,
and that we concentrate all our forces as far as possible to fight the great
battle now impending and to make it decisive.
It is possible that the enemy may abandon Richmond without a
serious straggle, but I do not believe he will, and it would be unwise to count
upon anything but a stubborn and desperate defense – a life-and-death contest.
I see no other hope for him than to fight this battle, and we must win it. I
shall fight them whatever their force may be, but I ask for every man that the
Department can send me. No troops should now be left unemployed. Those who
entertain the opinion that the rebels will abandon Richmond without a struggle
are in my judgment badly advised, and do not comprehend their situation, which
is one requiring desperate measures.
I beg that the President and Secretary will maturely weigh
what I say, and leave nothing undone to comply with my request. If I am not
re-enforced, it is probable that I will be obliged to fight nearly double my
numbers, strongly intrenched. I do not think it will be at all possible for me
to bring more than 70,000 men upon the field of battle.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
SOURCES: 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. 26
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