The Army of the Potomac from 1861 to 1863 : an inside view of the history of the Army of the Potomac and its leaders as told in the official dispatches, reports and secret correspondence, from the date of its organization under General George B. McClellan in 1861, until the supersedure of General Hooker, and the assignment of General Meade to its command in 1863

Front matter

Library of

Emory University

THE

Introduction

The following pages are a compilation of all the important official reports, dispatches, and correspondence, relating to the formation and movements of one of the largest, grandest, and most magnificent armies which the world had ever seen ; and, of the actions of the principal actors in that momentous struggle in the life of the nation during the period from 1861 to 1863.

The process of research through the tangled mass of official records, and the method of their arrangement in chronological and narrative form necessarily involved a very great deal of time and labor, embracing as it does the records and correspondence of both the Union and Confederate armies, and forms a concise and accurate history of its movements during that eventful period, as it was recorded from day to day, in regular and consecutive order of events by the actors themselves.

No special attention has been given to the particular action or movements of individual army corps, divisions, brigades, or other military subdivisions, as such ; the aim has been to treat the respective armies with their commanders, as distinct units, and from their own reports and correspondence, (much of which was secret and never heretofore published,) much light is thrown on acts and movements which have in many instances— maybe from their not being clearly understood,— been grossly misrepresented.

The reader will be enabled to form an absolutely unbiased and correct judgment regarding the purpose, the merits, the success or failure of the several commanders in the different campaigns, for out of their own mouths will they be judged, and by their words and acts must they be weighed.

This story is an exhibit of intermingled loyalty, patriotism and undaunted courage; with imbecility, cowardice, jealousy and hate; which in their effects fell little short of treason.

It is submitted to the public as a just tribute to the memories of those who, through prejudice and misrepresentation, during the long years which have elapsed since the close of the rebellion, have been denied the plaudits unjustly accorded to others, to which their devoted and faithful services entitled them; or, peradventure, in cruel martyrdom, compelled to bear the odium of acts for which they were but convenient victims.

A just and grateful people will not permit the breath of calumny to dim the lustre, or belittle the actions of those devoted and unselfish men in their country's cause; nor can they forget the debt of gratitude they owe to those who, in the dark days of the country's peril bore its weighty burdens, and with almost superhuman courage, patience and perseverance, surmounting all difficulties and discouragements, stood like a wall ;of adamant in its defense.

Truth and justice will impartially award the honors, and the unerring hand of time will perpetuate the memories of those true and noble men to

' ' Wake in our breasts the living fires, The holy faith that warmed our sires. ' '

S. L. FRENCH.

Plymouth, Penna., March, 1905.

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I

McClellan 's Campaign on the Peninsula

Beginning of the War of the Rebellion — The call to arms — Uprising of the North — Military enthusiasm — The rout at Bull Run — Appointment of General McClellan to the command of the army — His record — Protracted delays of preparations — Impatience of the public — The President's General War Order No. i for a general movement towards Manassas — McClellan dissents and argues in favor of the Peninsula — General War Orders Nos. 2 and 3 creating corps organizations and forbidding change of base without leaving Washington entirely secure — Reasons urged by McClellan for going to the Peninsula — Vacillation of McClellan — Council of War and adoption of McClellan's plan — The President's acquiescence — His peremptory order — "Move Somewhere by Some Route" — The start down the Potomac — General Wadsworth's report — Troops left at Washington entirely inadequate for its defense — Report of Generals Thomas and Hitchcock — The orders of the President disobeyed — He orders McDowell's corps detained — Arrival at Yorktown — McClellan reports enemy in great force and formidable works — Pleads for Franklin's Corps to be sent him — Complains of his numerical weakness — General Wool's statement— The President's statement and advice to break the enemy's line at once — McClellan reiterates his weakness and claims necessity of siege operations — Appeals for the First Corps to be sent him — The President's letter — McClellan's misstatements and evasion of orders pointtO out — "You must act" — Strength of the army at time of disembarkation. .. .33

Chapter II

McClellan again appeals for Franklin's division for the necessary investment of Gloucester Point — Franklin's division en route — "Confident of results now" — Letter of General Magruder — His insignificant strength at Yorktown — Commander Missroon urges the immediate disembarkation of Franklin's troops and investment of Gloucester — A call for 10.0 pounder Parrotts and siege guns — Brilliant engagement — A one gun battery silenced — Secretary Stanton's congratulations — Another handsome engagement — Some prisoners taken — Digging trenches and erecting batteries — Anxiety for heavy guns — Immense amount of work done — Corduroy roads and rifle pits — A call for 200 pounder Parrotts and Sea Coast Mortars — More 20 pounder Parrotts wanted — Missroon's

J9 surprise at number and weight of cannon in position — A gentleman of "high character" defines the situation at Yorktown — Jeff Davis' plans and McClellan's strategy— Letters from Gen. D. H. Hill— He ridicules McClellan and reports sad condition of the rebels — Letter from Gen. J. E. Johnston — He reviews the conditions at Yorktown — "No one but McClellan could have hesitated to attack"— McClellan's anxiety for 20 and 30 pounder Parrotts — A call for the Parrott guns in and around Washington alarms the President— His dispatch — "Is there anything to be- done" — Glowing promises — Batteries being rapidly completed and enemy unusually quiet — The farce ends — "Yorktown is in our possession"— Official strength of Magruder's and McClellan's armies compared 4&

Chapter III

Evacuation of Yorktown — Franklin to disembark at West Point — Pursuit of the enemy — Pushing the enemy to the wall — Over-precautions — McClellan asks for some of General Wool's troops — Wool's caustic reply — The rear guard of enemy overtaken — Gen. Heintzelman is forbidden to attack — Torpedoes — The barbarous tactics of the rebels described by Gen. Barry — Battle of Williamsburg — Rout of the enemy — McClellan arrives after the battle — Alarm at Richmond — Preparations for evacuating the city — Letters from Gen. Johnston to Lee — Demoralized condition of the rebel army — A doleful letter from Gen. Hill — The rebel dead at Williamsburg — Public records at Richmond prepared for removal — McClellan objects to corps organizations — His letter to Secretary Stanton — His wishes temporarily granted — A private letter from the President — McClellan's partiality for Porter and Franklin — A seriousquestion ' 61

Chapter IV

Halting at Williamsburg — The start for Richmond — Army in magnificent spirits — Franklin finally connects — Norfolk evacuated and the Merrimack blown up — The navy to be protected — McClellan calls for gun boats and more of Wool's troops — Wool's sarcasm — Slow progress

of the army — McClellan's fears — His tale of woe to the President Asks-

for all the disposable troops of the government — The President's reply

McDowell ordered to Richmond but not to uncover Washington Mc- Clellan's purpose not to fight — Strength of the two armies compared

General Wool's letters — McClellan's intention to intrench within 10 miles of Richmond — A letter from the President — More of Wool's troops wanted — Wool's scathing reply — Gen. Bank's critical position — Gen. Mc- Dowell's march suspended — The President's letter — Washington helpless but for McDowell's presence — The President's stirring appeal for action

AEMY OF THE POTOMAC, 1861-1863 21 CHAPTER V

— McClellan's procrastinating tactics — Across the Chickahominy — Two complete victories reported for Porter — The President questions their importance — Affairs at Richmond — Preparing to evacuate 70

Within 6 miles of Richmond — A terrific storm — The battle of Fair Oaks — Casey's division overwhelmed — Rout of the rebels — The President's significant dispatch — Strength of the army — Richmond in a panic — A lost opportunity, the "fatal blow" withheld — Within 4 miles of Richmond — Waiting — McClellan's bravado — His address — Calls for more troops — Still waiting — Ominous shadows — Asks for re-enforcements from Halleck's army — Strength of the army — An imperative demand for more troops — Hears from deserters and attacked with panic — Lee's letter to Jackson — While McClellan calls for troops Lee depletes his army — A battle imminent — After to-morrow — Contempt of the enemy for Mc- Clellan's generalship — McClellan's generals anxious to attack — Intrenching— McClellan desires to express his views on the "State of Military affairs throughout the country" — Strength of his army — He hears from contrabands — Falstaffian growth of the rebel army — Another tale of woe — Brave resolves — Meets an attack and calls for more troops — His insolence to Commodore Goldsborough — The latters's scathing retort — A remarkable dispatch from McClellan to the Secretary of War — The one urgent need in the army 84

Chapter VI

The President's patient reply to iMcClellan — Preparing for retreat — Disappointment and humiliation of the army — The retreat — On the James — A frantic and assinine appeal — Malvern Hill — McClellan on a gun boat — Report of General Stuart — At Harrison's Landing — Letter of the President — McClellan's misrepresentations — General Lee's statement — A pompous address to the army — Ostentatious bravery — General Lee's letter— The visit of the President — Strength of the respective armies — Appointment of General Halleck as General-in-Chief — General Pope — Halleck visits the army and advises as a military necessity concentration with Pope, or, an attack upon Richmond — McClellan chooses the latter plan — His chagrin and disregard of orders — Withdrawal of the army ordered — McClellan's protest — His dilatory tactics — Halleck's caustic order— Change of scene • 103

CHAPTER VII General Pope 's Campaign in Virginia

Formation of the Army of Virginia — Assignment of General Pope to its command — He assumes command — His indiscreet address to his army — His character — The purpose of the President — Pope's advent not agreeable to McClellan— His qualities contrasted with McClellan's— The latter's supineness feared by Pope — The duty enjoined of Pope — Halleck's letter to McClellan— The enemy leaving McClellan to crush Pope— Carelessness in the Quartermaster's Department — Halleck approves of Pope's movements and enjoins him to stand firm — He urges every possible effort be made to push McClellan's troops to Pope — Strength of Pope's forces — McClellan's message to Porter — His letter to Burnside — Halleck enjoins Pope to dispute every inch of ground and "fight like the devil" — Promises reinforcements— Porter arrives at Falmouth — Ordered to join Pope — Mc- Clellan reports his arrival at Aquia Creek and expects to command Pope's Army — Directed to go to Alexandria — Pope kept busy — His letter to Halleck — He chafes under orders which require him to remain on the defensive — He asks about his command and what is expected of him — Re-enforcements coming to him in fragments — Franklin ordered to Warrenton to report to Pope — Porter's dispatch to Burnside — His ridicule of Pope and criticism of his orders — He wishes to get away from Pope..n6

Chapter VIII

Difference between Pope's and McClellan's tactics — Supplies for Pope withheld — His animals dying for want of forage — The enemy concentrating to cut him off — Pope orders Porter to be at Bristoe Station by daylight — Hooker in a severe action — Pope plans a rapid movement — Halleck repeats his orders to Franklin — McClellan interposes excuse for delay — Halleck orders "not a moment must be lost in pushing Franklin to Pope" — McClellan suggests more excuses for delay — Halleck orders "there must be no further delay, he must move, ready or not ready" — McClellan halts Franklin at Annandale — Halleck demands an explanation of his disobedience — McClellan assumes responsibility and alleges want of transportation — Halleck's timid rebuke — Shows the falsity of Mc- Clellan's statements — Secretary Stanton's inquiries — Halleck's report — His plans — The purpose of Pope's movements — The flagrant and contemptuous disobedience of McClellan and Franklin — Halleck's powers — His lack of efficiency — Pope's struggle— Anxiety in Washington — The President's inquiry — McClellan's heartless suggestion and covert bid for supremacy — The President's answer 134

AEMY OF THE POTOMAC, 1861-1863 23 CHAPTER IX

McClellan ordered to send ammunition to Pope — His remarkable hck of knowledge and zeal — Pope plans a forward movement — His orders to Porter— Porter's dispatch to Burnside — His ridicule and contempt for Pope's order — Is ordered to push forward into action — Is peremptorily ordered to march to the battlefield and report in person — Pope makes a report to Halleck— The second battle of Bull Run— Pope receives word from McClellan that he can get supplies at Alexandria by sending a cavalry escort for them — Another furious battle — Men and horses two days without food — Three weeks of indescribable labor and hardships — Halleck's hearty commendation of Pope's actions — Promises him re-enforcements and asks if he cannot renew the attack — Pope confronted by whole rebel army — Requests Halleck to issue a complimentary order to his army — Halleck promises compliance — Pope's dispatch — His cavalry used up — Unsoldierly conduct of some of the Potomac Army Generals — Their example demoralizing and disastrous — Peremptory orders necessary for obedience to duty — Disobedience the result of personal feeling regarding changes of command — Reorganization necessary for success — Another battle — The army in bad condition — Re-enforcements withheld from him — Confronted by superior forces — His troops unable to attack — Ordered to withdraw within the fortifications of Washington— Within the fortifications — Consternation at Washington — Intense anxiety throughout the North — Employes of the departments organized for defense of Washington, and preparations made for removal of arsenal stores — Militia mobilized 146

Chapter X

General Pope inquires regarding his status — Blames McClellan for his lack of re-enforcements and for their inefficient equipment — Urges Halleck to assume command and suggests immediate offensive movements while the enemy is weakened — His true grasp of the situation — The wisdom of his suggestions and the probable consequence in not adopting them — McClellan displays his contempt for Pope — Pope appeals to Halleck and reminds him of the great injustice he is doing him — Halleck's hypocritical apology — The armies of the Potomac and Virginia consolidated under McClellan and Pope relieved — Outrageous treatment of Pope — Secret of McClellan's great power — Perilous position of the government — McClellan's character and ambition — A dangerous man — Order of the President removing Porter, Franklin and Griffin from their commands — Pope writes a personal letter to Halleck — Reminds him of his lack of justice and unfair dealings with him — Challenges investigation of his conduct — His failure of success the result of neglect of duty if not worse, of others — His zeal and faithfulness recounted — McClellan's retention a fatal mistake for the country — Warns him against McClellan's machinations — His prophetic predictions and his demand for jus-

L'4 A 1 1 MY OP TUP POTOMAC, isill l^C,

ticc — Hallcck's unsatisfactory reply Hi-; i>i >-i t i< m His lack <.f < l.-t«- rinination ami moral courage — Pope's scathing rejoinder — Reiterate.; his determination to appeal In Congrc-s for jit-lice n uriaSNiry -Ke\ie,',- his late campaign and the gross injustice done him — The treachery of Mc- Ck'Ilan, Porter ami their colleagues ignored to his di-crcdit -Hallcck's culpability in the matter— A dangerous precedent— The immeriteil sacrifice of his honor and reputation as a soldier in behalf of criminal- — Halleck's unenviable position 157

Chapter XI

General Pope's official report — Detailed history of his campaign — His operations misunderstood to an extent unparalled in the history of warfare — Submits the facts of the record of his campaign and his reputation as a soldier to the unbiased verdict of his countrymen — Corroborative proofs of the truth of his statements — A safe confidence — Retributive justice — Porter cashiered 177

CHAPTER XII McClellan 's Campaign in Maryland

Halleck writes to McClellan — Hooker to command Porter's Corps — Franklin's Corps attached to Heintzelman's — Enemy crossing the Potomac — McClellan asks for suspension of order relieving Porter and Franklin from their commands — Wants Hooker assigned to McDowell's corps — McDowell relieved at own request, and Reno appointed to that command — McClellan orders Hooker to displace Reno — Lee's mysterious movement-— General conditions and state of public feeling — Great alarm felt — A glance at some preceding events — Gen. Hanks obeys an order from the President — Is rebuked by McClellan who orders its suspension — McClellan ask- suggestions from General Wool -Wool explains the situation — Great alarm in Pennsylvania — McClellan advises the Governor to call out the militia — Frantic appeals to the President and War Department- -The President replies to Governor ('urtin — The burdens ol the President and Secretary of War — The President's dispatch to Curtain (leu. Hooker's indignation at ord'T- to Gen. Reynolds — The rebels leaving Mankind -The President entreats McClellan not to let them escape "without being hurt"

McClelJan -eeures information of Lee's [dans — Fxpects an engagement

Rattle of South Mountain Hooker and Reno nam a victory-— Reno

kil'ed Rebel army n treats in a panic- -Harper's Kerry surrendered

The battle of Antietam - I miiieii -ity ol ordinance and e, unuiis-ai v -tores - '.! ci 'ellan reports a complete victory Maryland and 1 'enn-vlvani.i ■,. fe Stri-neth of the respective armies ],,-?

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 1861-1863 25 CHAPTER XHI

Letters of General Lee — His view of the situation and his plans — Feeble condition of his army — Its strength — Proposes invasion of Pennsylvania— Desertions and straggling in his army impede his movements — McClellan reports his army exhausted — Does not feel authorized to follow the enemy — Urges the necessity of recruitment and re-organization — Resents suggestions — General Meade's report on the serious evil of straggling — Taking of life the only preventive — McClellan asks for twenty or more new regiments at once — He urges the necessity of building at once, a 900 foot R. R. bridge and a 400 foot wagon bridge at Harper's Ferry — Halleck asks for a full understanding of his plans before more troops leave Washington — The War Department also wants some information before authorizing large expenditures for bridges — Gathering in absentees — Strength of the army — In statu quo — The rebels not worried nor worrying — McClellan denies his order for bridges — The President visits the army — The enemy active — The President orders Mc- Clellan to cross the Potomac and give battle to the enemy or drive him South — "Your army must move while the roads are good" — McClellan propounds some ridiculous questions — He asks for troops from Yorktown — Halleck's incisive answer to his questions — The country becoming impatient — "The army must move" — "Is not sufficiently exercised to be efficient soldiers" — Strength of the two armies compared 214

Chapter XIV

McClellan submits his plan of campaign — Adopts line of the Shenandoah for his operations — Three days' delay necessary to supply shoes and clothing — Asks for more troops — His persistent unreadiness — Unlike Pope or Lee — Better Quartermaster than General — Comparison of the two armies — McClellan pleads deficiency of shoes and clothing a cause for delay — He urges the necessity for remounts of horses — The President appeals to his sense of pride and courage — Letters from General Lee to Davis — Has many stragglers and deserters — His horses dying from hard labor and scant food — The hardships of his army — Is pained at the sight of his bare-footed men — His anxiety lest McClellan may move upon Richmond — McClellan cites Stuart's raid as proof of his own deficiency in cavalry — Halleck refutes his claim of failure in shipments of shoes and clothing — All his requisitions promptly filled — Shows from the records McClellan's statements about horses to be false— His supply much larger than that of any of the other armies — The President suggests to Mc- Clellan that more occupation for the enemy South, would stop his cavalry raids North — Report of the Quartermaster General — McClellan's statements proven false — Halleck reports indications of more raids and tells McClellan "the inactivity of our army encourages them" — Mc- Clellan reports the army "nearly" ready to move, but he needs cavalry and artillery horses to replace those broken down — He asks whether the

President desires him to move on the enemy at once, or await the arrival of fresh horses — The President has no change to make in his orders — McClellan propounds more idiotic questions and urges the necessity of intrenching at several points — He fears a junction of Bragg with Lee's army — He reports his horses lame, fatigued, and with sore tongues and unable to leave camp 229

Chapter XV

General Halleck replies to McClellan's inquiries — The additions which had been made to his army — His entire freedom of action — Ample time to fortify places after they come into our possession — No danger from Bragg's army — He is distant 400 miles and Lee but 20 — The President asks McClellan what his horses have done since Antietam to fatigue anything — Makes more pertinent inquiries — McClellan feels aggrieved — The President's sarcasm and impatience — McClellan urges necessity of filling up old regiments before going into action again — The President asks if he intends waiting for men to be drafted before going into action and demands a distinct answer — Secretary Stanton asks for information whether any want of supplies in McClellan's army ought to have prevented its advance — How long after his orders to advance before he reported supplies wanting — All his requisitions promptly filled — No armies in the world better or more promptly supplied — Three weeks' delay in movements — McClellan reports all Corps across the Potomac except Franklin's — Franklin to cross as soon as he could supply himself with some necessaries — The President removes McClellan and appoints Burnside to the command — McClellan ordered to report at Trenton — Pope's prediction verified — McClellan's exit, and his candidacy for the Presidency on a Secession platform — His record — His retention in command a mystery — Charity in his case an injustice and outrage — An inevitable verdict — Secretary Stanton's confidential letter to a friend 244

CHAPTER XVI General Burnside 's Campaign on the Rappahannock

General Halleck notifies Burnside of his appointment and orders him to report position of his troops and what he purposes doing with them — Burnside accepts the command and promises to report his plans — Issues an address to the army — Reports his plan of campaign — Requires provision and pontoon trains to be started to him at once — He proposes by a quick movement to march upon Richmond via Fredericksburg — Declares he accepts command only in obedience to orders — Awaits the approval of his plans — The President assigns Gen. Hooker to command of Porter's Corps — Porter ordered to report to Adjutant General — The President assents to Burnside's plans — Burnside organizes the army in three grand divisions — His movement begun — Position of troops — Sumner gains commanding position opposite Fredericksburg — Army awaits the arrival of pontoons — Inquiries regarding them — One train to start soon, Halleck not inclined to send another — Burnside reminds him of necessity of promptness in executing his plans — His purpose to cross the river before the enemy could concentrate — The delay of pontoons permits the rebels to concentrate in large force — Halleck's equivocation — His persistent avoidance of responsibility and negative service — Burnside's plans frustrated — The pontons arrive 259

Chapter XVII

Burnside orders an advance — The enemy's concentration compels modification of his plans — Fredericksburg occupied by Burnside — A difficult feat — Positions of the troops and topography of Fredicksburg — Burnside's orders to his troops — Strength of his forces — Battle of Fredericksburg— The objective point — His orders to Franklin — Franklin's apathy and inactivity — Gen. Meade's heroism — Hooker ordered to attack — Franklin's disobedience — Failure of the movement — The army recrosses the river — Reasons for withdrawal — The President issues congratulatory address to the army — He approves of Burnside's efforts — Burnside begins another forward movement— The President halts it — Burnside visits the President — His movements thwarted by some of his generals — Gen. Meig's letter to Burnside — He reviews the condition of affairs — Exhaustion of the country perilous — His friendly advice and suggestions— Encourages him to be aggressive 275

Chapter XVIII

Burnside's interview with the president — Some suppressed correspondence— The President's difficulties and burdens — Halleck will assume no responsibilities and renders negative assistance — Tenders his resignation as General-in-Chief — The resignation withdrawn — Burnside's letter to the President — Necessary that he should have men who will give him definite and honest opinions — Offers his resignation — Mutual co-operation and assistance wanting — Responsibilities resting on the President — Burnside's resignation not accepted and he returns to the army — His letters to Halleck and the President — Announces his final plans for a forward movement — Friction amongst his officers— Unwilling to remain inactive and tenders his resignation if his plans are disapproved — A question of veracity — Franklin's pamphlet — Correspondence between Halleck and Franklin — Halleck's letter in reply to Burnside — Severe storm halts Burnside — He hurriedly visits the President — General orders No. 8 — Very serious charges — Burnside and Sumner relieved by the President at their own request — Franklin relieved — Hooker appointed to the command of the army — Burnside's valedictory address to the army — His report— His loyalty, courage, and honorable service 287

CHAPTER XIX General Hooker's Campaign at Chancellorsville

His General Orders No. i — Lincoln's diplomacy — His letter to Hooker — Not quite satisfied with him — His great wrong to Burnside — Does not fear a dictatorship but wants success — Halleck's letter to Hooker— His instructions — Strength of his army — Hooker reorganizes his army — His letter to Lee — Order regarding leaves of absence — Desertions from the army and facilities employed to aid them — An inner glimpse of military affairs — Common practices of the Confederates — General Schenck's General Orders No. 21 — Halleck's dispatch to Hooker — Advises a blow be struck as early as practicable — The President visits the army — Secret plans formulated by Hooker — He ignores Halleck — Reports his plans to the President — His dispatch to General Peck — His orders to Gen. Stoneman — Delay of mails requested — Hooker's grasp of the situation — His expectations and faith in his plans — His directions to Halleck — Halleck's tart answer and order to Hooker — Hooker appeals to the President and is sustained — Reports his progress to the President His order to Stoneman — The army awaiting his movements — Stoneman's artillery halted by mud— Anxiety of the President — His letter— Hooker disappointed but hopeful — The President to meet Hooker — Stoneman's instructions 303

Chapter XX

Rain and high water compels a change of plans — Hooker's dispatch to Peck — Order to Stoneman — Stoneman's command separated by impassaable streams — Hooker's orders for a concerted attack on the enemy — Activity of the rebels near the border alarms Pennsylvania — The President's dispatch to Governor Curtin — Hooker's order to Gen. Sedgwick — Is confident of success and hopes the rebels will attack — Relies on success of Stoneman's movements — Governor Curtin's dispatch — The President reassures him — Sedgwick ordered to attack and connect with Hooker — Gen. Schenck asks information about Hooker — His request denied — The battle of Chancellorsville — A terrible battle — Gen. Berry killed — Hooker wounded — Hooker's dispatch to the President — His well laid plans 321

Chapter XXI

General Butterfield's report to the President— Generals Stoneman and Sedgwick failed to execute their orders — Hooker to recross the river — Expiration of terms of enlistment a reason — The President's dispatches — Secretary Stanton's circular — The President's letter

Results of Stoneman's raid — Hooker decides upon a plan for attack — Kilpatrick's brilliant success — Stoneman's operations unsatisfactory to Hooker — Gen. Averell relieved of his command — Hooker's report to Secretary Stanton — His report to the President — His movements delayed by expiring enlistments — Death of Stonewall Jackson — Letter from the President — Report of General Halleck — His views of the situation — His relations with Hooker — The rebels become aggressive — The exertions of the governments — Conscriptions — Discontent throughout the North — General conditions — A letter from a citizen of Baltimore — Letter from a citizen of New York 334