Today in History:

371 Series I Volume XI-III Serial 14 - Peninsular Campaign Part III

Page 371 Chapter XXIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Camp near Harrison's Landing, Va., August 11, 1862.

It is not expected that the troops will move from their present position to-day, but commanding officers will proceed to carry out with all possible dispatch the arrangements prescribed in General Orders, No. 153, from headquarters, of the 10th instant, on the subject of the allowance of transportation, tents, and baggage.

By command of Major-General McClellan:

[S. WILLIAMS,]

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJT. General 'S OFFICE,


No. 101. Washington, August 11, 1862.

The following order is published to the Army:

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

Washington, July 11, 1862.

Ordered, That Major General Henry W. Halleck, be assigned to command the whole land forces of the United States as General-in-Chief, and that he repair to this capital as soon as he can with safety to the positions and operations within the department now under his special charge.

A. LINCOLN.

Major-General Halleck, having been assigned, in accordance with the above order of the President, assumed command of the Army as General-in-Chief on the 23rd of July, 1862.

By command of Major-General Halleck:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE, August 12, 1862.

Colonel D. D. TOMPKINS,

Assistant Quartermaster-General, New York:

Charter and dispatch to Fort Monroe, to report to General Dix and await orders, a fleet of transports. They should be capable of ascending the James, the York, and the Potomac Rivers. Schooners, brigs, and ships going out in ballast to load with troops, artillery, wagons, and horses. Two hundred such vessels should be dispatched immediately, chartered by the day for not less than ten days and as much longer as the Government needs them. Send back with utmost dispatch all steamers bringing to New York or other ports near you sick from Harrison's Landing.

M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE, August 12, 1862.

Major-General McCLELLAN,

Commanding Army of the Potomac, Harrison's Bar:

GENERAL: I ordered long since all the steamers that could be chartered in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Poston to be sent to


Page 371 Chapter XXIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.