Jas. 8. Wadsworth to Appendix, April 2, 1862

Washington, D. O., April 2, 1862.

Sie: I have the honor to submit the following condensed statements of the forces left under my command for the defense of Washington :

GWA oc aridor ers oe Beets qn nab sao Sb acQO anand: o Sho deECoOQUooRoos comese 15, 335 Artillery..–.. BGO ROOOS GOCEOR Obesc ors Go SA5an bed DoloSponecOEECOE seb anSeée 4,294 Cavalry (six companies only mounted) .-…-…..—…—- +–+. ——. woes 848 Total oy cece scm oe ete ele erteitie wis celnvesee wate aeeeeraees dia ais ain siaftiaeiefeiaiarele 20, 477 Deduct sick and in arrest and confinement ….-……..—…..–. -.-.—– 1, 455 Total present for duty…-……-. – SEBO cs seIAO COO Saco US OSG aStIoes 19,

I have no mounted light artillery under my command. Several companies of the reserve artillery of the Army of the Potomac are still here, but not under my command or fit for service.

From this force I am ordered by General McClellan to detail two regiments (good ones) to Richardson’s division (Sumner’s corps) as it passes through Alexandria; one regiment to replace the Thirty-seventh New York Volunteers in Heintzelman’s old division; one regiment to relieve a regiment of Hooker’s division at Budd’s Ferry; total, four regiments. I am also further ordered this morning by telegraph to send 4,000 men to relieve General Sumner at Manassas and Warrenton that he may embark forthwith. :

Cap, XXIV.) GENERAL REPORTS.

In regard to the character and efficiency of the troops under my command, I have to state that nearly all the force is new and imperfectly disciplined ; that several of the regiments are in a very disorganized condition from various causes, which it is not necessary to state here. Several regiments having been relieved from brigades which have gone into the field in consequence of their unfitness for service, the best regiments remaining have been selected to take their place. Two heavy artillery regiments and one infantry regiment which had been drilled for some months in artillery service have been withdrawn from the forts on the south side of the Potomac, and I have only been able to fill their places with very new infantry regiments, entirely unacquainted with the duties of that arm, and of little or no value in thier present position.

I am not informed of the position which Major-General Banks is directed to take, but at this time he is, as I understand, on the other side of the Bull Run Mountains, leaving my command to cover the front from Manassas Gap (about 20 miles beyond Manassas) to Aquia Creek.

I deem it my duty to state that, looking at the numerical strength and character of the force under my command, it is, in my judgment, entirely inadequate to, and unfit for, the important duty to which it is assigned.

I regard it very improbable that the enemy will assail us at this point, but this belief is based upon the hope that they may be promptly engaged elsewhere and may not learn the number and character of the force left here.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

JAS. 8. WADSWORTH,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.