HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC,
Camp Lincoln, June 20,
1862 – 2 p. m.
Your Excellency's dispatch of 11 a.m. received, also that of
General Sigel.
I have no doubt that Jackson has been re-enforced from here.
There is reason to believe that General R. S. Ripley has recently joined Lee's
army with a brigade or division from Charleston. Troops have arrived recently
from Goldsborough. There is not the slightest reason to suppose that the enemy
intends evacuating Richmond. He is daily increasing his defenses. I find him
everywhere in force, and every reconnaissance costs many lives, yet I am
obliged to feel my way foot by foot at whatever cost, so great are the
difficulties of the country. By to-morrow night the defensive works covering
our position on this side of the Chickahominy should be completed. I am forced
to this by my inferiority in numbers, so that I may bring the greatest possible
numbers into action and secure the army against the consequences of unforeseen
disaster. I would be glad to have permission to lay before Your Excellency, by
letter or telegraph, my views as to the present state of military affairs
throughout the whole country. In the mean time I would be pleased to learn the
disposition as to numbers and position of the troops not under my command in
Virginia and elsewhere.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding.
His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President.
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