George B. McClellan to : , GEO. B. McCLELLAN, April 1, 1862
On Board the Commodore, April 1, 1862.
GENERAL:
The change in affairs in the valley of the Shenandoah has rendered necessary à corresponding departure, temporarily at least, from the plan we some days since agreed upon. y E
In my arrangements I assume that you have with you a force amply sufficient to drive Jackson before you, provided he is not re-enforced largely. I also assume that you may find it impossible to detach anything towards Manassas for some days, probably not until the operations of the main army have drawn all the rebel force towards Richmond. 3 AS
You are aware that General Sumner has for some days been at Manassas Junction with two divisions of infantry, six batteries, and two regiments of cavalry, and that a reconnaissance to the Rappahannock forced the enemy to destroy the railway bridge at Rappahannock Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Since that time our cavalry have found nothing on this side the Rappahannock in that direction, and it seems clear that we have no reason to fear any return of the rebels in that quarter. Their movements near Fredericksburg also indicate a final abandonment of that neighborhood. I doubt whether Johnston will now re-enforce Jackson with a view of oftensive operations. The time is probably past when he could have gained anything by doing so. I have ordered in one of Sumner’s divisions (that of Richardson, late Sumner’s) to Alexandria for embarkation. Blenker’s has been detached from the Army
of the Potomac and ordered to report to General Frémont. Abercrombie is probably
‘at Warrenton Junction to-day. Geary is at White Plains. Tworegiments of cavalry
have been ordered out and are now on the way to relieve the two regiments of Sumner.
Four thousand infantry and one battery leave Washington at once for Manassas. Some 3,000 more will move in one or two days, and soon after some 3,000 additional. I will order Blenker to mareh on Strasburg and to report to you for temporary duty, so that,
should you find a large force in your front, you can avail yourself of his aid as soon as
` possible. Please direct him to Winchester, thence to report to the Adjutant-General of the Army-for orders; but keep him until you are sure what you have in front.
In regard to your own movements, the most important thing at presentis to throw Jackson well back, and then to assume such a position as to enable you to prevent his
return. Assoon as the railway communications are re-established it will be probably important and advisable to move on Staunton, but this would require secure communications and a force of from 25,000 to 30,000 for active operations. It should also be .
nearly coincident with my own move on Richmond; at all events, not so long before it as to enable the rebels to concentrate on you and then return on me. I fear that you cannot be ready in time, although it may come in very well with a force less than that I have mentioned, after the main battle near Richmond. When General Sumner leaves Warrenton Junction, General Abercrombie will be placed in immediate command of Manassas and Warrenton Junction under your general orders. Please inform me frequently by telegraph and otherwise as to the state of things in your front. R
I am, very truly, yours, Er, $ 3
Major-General, Commanding.
P. S.—From what I have just learned it would seem that the regiments of cavalry
“intended for Warrenton Junction have gone to Harper’s Ferry. Of the four additional regiments placed under your orders, two should as promptly as possible move by
the shortest route on Warrenton Junction. z
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ha
: , GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
` A ` Major-General, Commanding.