WASHINGTON, March 15. – The steamer Yankee arrived at the
Navy Yard and took on board a quantity of shell, yesterday.
She then, with the Anacosta [sic], proceeded to shell the
rebel batteries at Aquia Creek. The
enemy replied briskly with their guns, but failed to reach the Yankee, although
they made several excellent shots.
One shell struck but a short distance from the Yankee, in
direct range with her wheel house. The
heavy guns of the Yankee enable her to lay off out of range and drop her shells
with precision into the batteries.
After firing some time the Yankee and Anacosta hauled off
without being struck. It is thought the
rebels are removing their stores, ordnance, &c., from Aquia Creek.
The batteries at the Potomac Creek are still occupied by the
rebels. The Yankee has recovered a
portion of the iron works of the burned rebel steamer Page.
A large number of splendid guns have been recovered which
were left by the rebels in their upper batteries. Yesterday the Leslie brought up from the Evansport
battery a 7½ inch rifled gun, throwing a 128 pound shell.
Cannon of the very best description are daily being found in
the river at the various batteries.
Many of these, together with a large amount of loaded shell,
are being brought up to the Navy Yard.
GEN. M’CLELLAN’S
ADDRESS TO HIS SOLDIERS.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
FAIRFAX C. H., March
14.
Soldiers of the Army
of the Potomac:
For a long time I have kept you inactive, but not without a
purpose. You were to be disciplined,
armed and instructed. The formidable
artillery you now have, had to be created.
Other armies were to move and accomplish certain results. I have held you back that you might give the
death blow to the rebellion which has distracted this once happy country. The patience you have shown, and your
confidence in your General, are worth a dozen victories. These preliminary results are now accomplished. I feel that the patient labors of many moths
have produced their fruit. The army of
the Potomac is now a real army; magnificent in material, admirable in
discipline and instruction, and excellently armed and equipped. Your commanders are all that I could wish.
The moment for action has arrived and I know that I can
trust in you to save our country. As I
ride through your ranks, I see in your faces the sure prestige of victory. I feel that you will do whatever I ask of
you. The period of inaction is
past. I will bring you now face to face
with the rebels and only say that “May God defend the right.” In whatever direction I may move; however
strange my actions may appear to you, ever bear in mind that my fate is linked
with yours, and that all I do is to bring you where I know you wish to be, on
the decisive battle-field.
It is my business to place you there. I am to watch over you as a parent over his
children, and you know that your General loves you from the depths of his soul.
It shall be my care, as it has ever been, to gain success
with the least loss; but I know that if it is necessary you will willingly
follow me to our graves for our righteous cause. God smiles upon us; victory attends us. Yet I would not have you think that our aim
is to be obtained without a struggle. I
will not disguise it from you that you have brave foes to encounter – foemen well
worthy of the steel which you will use so well.
I shall demand from you great and heroic exertions, rapid and long
marches, desperate conflicts and privations.
We will share all these together, and when this sad war is
over, we will all return to our homes and feel that we can ask no higher honor
than the proud consciousness that we belonged to the Army of the Potomac.
(Signed)
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General
Commanding.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 4
