George B. McClellan to Thomas A. Scorr, October 17, 1861
Hon. THOMAS A. Scorr, Assistant Secretary of War: I gave General Sherman all the regiments he asked for. Atleast two of those originally intended for him, and promised to me, have been diverted from me. The artillery promised me to replace Hamilton’s battery have not been given to me. I will not consent to one other man being detached from this army for that expedition. I need far more than I now have to save this country, and cannot spare any disciplined regiment. Instead of diminishing this army, true policy would dictate its immediate increase to a large extent. It is the task of the Army of the Potomac to decide the question at issue. No outside expedition can effect the result. I hope that I will not again be asked to detach anybody.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,