George B. McClellan to Don Carlos Buell, November 29, 1861

General BUELL: Your letter received. I fully approve of your course and agree in your views. McCLELLAN, Washington, Monday night [November 29, 1861]. My DEAR BUELL: Your welcome letter of the 27th [of November, 1861] reached me this evening. I have just telegraphed you, expressing my satisfaction at its contents. Inow feel sure that I have a “Jieutenant” in whom I can fully rely. Your views are right. You have seized the true strategic base, and from Lebanon can move where you will. Keep up the hearts of the Tennesseeans. Make them feel that, far from any intention of deserting them, all will be done to sustain them. Be sure to maintain their ardor, for it will avail you much in the future. I am not, as a general rule, at all disposed to scatter troops. I believe in attacks by concentrated masses, but it seems to me, with the little local knowledge possess, that you might attempt two movements, one on Eastern Tennessee, say with 15,000 men, and a strong attack on Nashville, as you propose, with, say, 50,000 men. I think we owe it to our Union friends in Eastern Tennessee to protect them at all hazards. First, secure that; then, if you possess the means, carry Nashville. If I can ever get the account of the small-arms in our possession I can tell you what you may expect, but with the present Chief of Ordnance I searcely hope for so simple a result. You can count on one thing, viz, that you shall have all I can give you. You havealready been informed that twelve regiments have been ordered.to you from West Virginia. I have also ordered thence to you one regular and one excellent volunteer battery ; these, with the Randail companies, will give you five batteries equivalent to regulars. Give each of these captains three other batteries, and you will soon have your light artillery in good order. I am informed that large supplies of cavalry arms will arrive this week. Telegraph me what you need and I will try to supply you. Giveme by telegraph and letter the statement of your command by regiments and batteries as soon as possible. I have telegraphed to-day to Halleck for information as to his gunboats. You shall have a sufficient number of them to perform the operations you suggest. I will place €. F. Smith under your orders and replace his command by other troops. Inform me some little time before you are ready to move, so that we may move simultaneously. I have also other heavy blows to strike at the same time. I doubt whether all the movements can be arranged so that the grand blows shall be struck in less than a month or six weeks from the present time. Make the best use of your time in organizing and drilling your command. Unless circumstances render it necessary, do not strike until I too am ready. Should I be delayed, I will not ask you to wait for me, I will at once take the necessary steps to carry out your views as to the rivers. In haste, truly, yours, à

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,