Friday, January 3, 2014

Major General George B. McClellan to Abraham Lincoln, May 25, 1862

COLD HARBOR,
May 25, 1862.

Telegram received. Independently of it, the time is very near when I shall attack Richmond. The object of the movement is probably to prevent re-enforcements being sent to me. All the information obtained from balloons, deserters, prisoners, and contrabands agrees in the statement that the mass of the rebel troops are still in the immediate vicinity of Richmond, ready to defend it. I have no knowledge of Banks' position and force nor what there is at Manassas; therefore cannot form a definite opinion as to the force against him.

I have two corps across Chickahominy, within 6 miles of Richmond; the others on this side at other crossings within same distance, and ready to cross when bridges are completed.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding.
His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President.

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. 32

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