HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC,
Camp Lincoln, June 25,
1862 – 6.15 p.m.
I have Just returned from the field, and find your dispatch
in regard to Jackson.
Several contrabands just in give information confirming the
supposition that Jackson's advance is at or near Hanover Court-House, and that
Beauregard arrived, with strong re-enforcements, in Richmond yesterday.
I incline to think that Jackson will attack my right and
rear. The rebel force is stated at 200,000, including Jackson and Beauregard. I
shall have to contend against vastly superior odds if these reports be true;
but this army will do all in the power of men to hold their position and
repulse any attack.
I regret my great inferiority in numbers, but feel that I am
in no way responsible for it, as I have not failed to represent repeatedly the
necessity of re-enforcements; that this was the decisive point, and that all
the available means of the Government should be concentrated here. I will do
all that a general can do with the splendid army I have the honor to command,
and if it is destroyed by overwhelming numbers, can at least die with it and
share its fate. But if the result of the action, which will probably occur
to-morrow, or within a short time, is a disaster, the responsibility cannot be
thrown on my shoulders; it must rest where it belongs.
Since I commenced this I have received additional intelligence
confirming the supposition in regard to Jackson's movements and Beauregard's
arrival. I shall probably be attacked to-morrow, and now go to the other side
of the Chickahominy to arrange for the defense on that side. I feel that there
is no use in again asking for re-enforcements.*
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
__________
* See Lincoln to McClellan, Part III, p. 259
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. 51
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