HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC,
Haxall's
-Plantation, July 1, 1862.
Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS,
Adjutant-General U. S. Army:
GENERAL: My whole army is here, with all its guns and
material. The battle of yesterday was very severe, but the enemy was repulsed
and severely punished. After dark the troops retired to this position. My men
are completely exhausted, and I dread the result if we are attacked to-day by
fresh troops. If possible I shall retire to-night to Harrison's Bar, where the
gunboats can render more aid in covering our position. Permit me to urge that
not an hour should be lost in sending me fresh troops. More gunboats are much
needed.
I hope that the enemy was so severely handled yesterday as
to render him careful in his movements to-day. I now pray for time. My men have
proved themselves the equals of any troops in the world, but they are worn-out.
Our losses have been very great. I doubt whether more severe battles have ever
been fought. We have failed to win only because overpowered by superior
numbers.
Very truly, yours,
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General,
Commanding.
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. 282
No comments:
Post a Comment