CAMP NEAR ALEXANDRIA,
August 29, 1862
– 2.45 p.m.
The last news I received from the direction of Manassas was
from stragglers, to the effect that the enemy were evacuating Centreville and
retiring toward Thoroughfare Gap. This by no means reliable.
I am clear that one of two courses should be adopted: First,
to concentrate all our available forces to open communications with Pope;
Second, to leave Pope to get out of his scrape, and at once use all our means
to make the capital perfectly safe.
No middle ground will now answer. Tell me what you wish me
to do, and I will do all in my power to accomplish it. I wish to know what my
orders and authority are. I ask for nothing, but will obey whatever orders you
give. I only ask a prompt decision, that I may at once give the necessary
orders. It will not do to delay longer.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
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. 98
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