Unknown, March 13, 1862

A council of the generals commanding army corps at the Headquarters Army of the Potomac were of the opinion—

I. That, the enemy having retreated from Manassas to Gordonsville, behind the Rappahannock and Rapidan, it is the opinion of the generals commanding army corps that the operations to be carried on will be best undertaken from Old Point Comfort, between the York and James River, upon Richmond, provided— ;

1. That the enemy’s vessel Merrimac can be neutralized.

2. That the means of transportation sufficient for an immediate transfer of the force to its new base can be ready at Washington and Alexandria to move down the Potomac; and

3. That a naval auxiliary force can be had to silence or aid in silencing the enemy’s batteries in York River.

4, That the force to be left to cover Washington shall be such as to give an entire feeling of security for its safety from menace.

Il. If the foregoing cannot be, the army should then be moved against the enemy behind the Rappahannock at the earliest possible moment, and the means for reconstructing bridges, repairing railroads, and stocking them with material sufficient for the supplying the army should at once be collected for both the Orange and Alexandria and the Aquia and Richmond Railroads.

Notsr.—That, with the forts on the right bank of the Potomac fully garrisoned, and those on the left bank occupied, a covering force in front of the Virginia line of 25,000 men would suffice.

KEYES. HEINTZELMAN.] cCDOWELL.

A total of 40,000 men for the defense of the city would suffice.

Wak DEPARTMENT, March 13, 1862.

The President, having considered the plan of operations agreed upon by yourself and the commanders of army corps, makes no objection to the same, but gives the following directions as to its execution:

1st. Leave such force at Manassas Junction as shall make it entirely certain that the enemy shall not repossess himself of that position and line of communication.

2d. Leave Washington entirely secure.

3d. Move the remainder of the force down the Potomac, choosing a new base at Fort Monroe or anywhere between here and there, or at all events move such remainder of the army at once in pursuit of the enemy by some route.

Seven o’clock 40 minutes.

Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF Washington, 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,