HARRISON'S BAR,
JAMES RIVER,
July 4, 1862
– 1 p.m. (Received July 5, 12.50 a.m.)
The PRESIDENT:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch
of yesterday afternoon. I thank you for your expression of satisfaction with
the conduct of this army and myself.
On yesterday I ordered General Burnside to send me such
re-enforcements as he could afford. I thank you for the order to General Hunter
to send me all the troops he can spare. I regret that General Halleck considers
all his force necessary to maintain his position. I do not wish to endanger in
any way the secure occupation of what has been gained in the Southwest. I will
do the best I can with such force as I have and such aid as you can give me. I
think that the Army of Virginia should keep out cavalry reconnaissances in the
direction of Richmend, lest the enemy should prefer an advance to Washington to
attacking this army. I wish to be advised fully of all matters in front of that
army. If the capital be threatened, I will move this army, at whatever hazard,
in such direction as will best divert the enemy.
Our whole army is now drawn up for review in its positions,
bands playing, salutes being fired, and all things looking bright.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
11, Part 3 (Serial No. 14), p. 294
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