Today in History:

662 Series I Volume XII-I Serial 15 - Second Manassas Part I

Page 662 OPERATIONS IN N. VA.,W. VA.,AND MD. Chapter XXIV.


HEADQUARTERS MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, Mount Jackson, June 16, 1862.

A portion of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, under command of Captain Barrett, sent out this afternoon to recover a small foraging party of 15 men and 3 wagons cut off this morning, was charged by the enemy's cavalry, but repulsed them and drove them in upon their pickets, 7 miles from this place. We lost 1 man killed. Enemy left 2 dead on field and 4 prisoners, with a number of horses. Sabers, carbines, and revolvers were taken. Sergeants Austin and Wood distinguished for bravery. Harrisonburg is reported occupied by a large body of enemy's cavalry, and Jackson's main body reported crossing Shenandoah to this side at Port Republic yesterday morning. Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, commanding, at Buckhannon, reports that he has captured 3 leading guerrillas-Haymond, Coal, and Goff-killed 3, wounded 5, and taken 11 prisoners and some arms. He reports enemy at Alleghany Summit with one regiment, a squadron of cavalry, and a battery. If you will send the heavy battery by express it may arrive in time to do good service. Pray send a few artillerists with it.

J. C. FREMONT,
Major-General, Commanding.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WASHINGTON, June 16, 1862.

Major-General FREMONT,

Mount Jackson, Va.:

Your dispatch of yesterday, reminding me of a supposed understanding that I would furnish you a corps of 35,000 men, and asking of me the "fulfillment of this understanding," is received. I am ready to come to a fair settlement of accounts with you on the fulfillment of understandings.

Early in March last, when I assigned you to the command of the Mountain Department, I did tell you I would give you all the force I could, and that I hoped to make it reach 35,000. You at the same time told me that within a reasonable time you would seize the railroad at or east of Knoxville, Tenn., if you could. There was then in the department a force supposed to be 25,000, the exact number as well known to you as to me. After looking about two or three days, you called and distinctly told me that if I would add the Blenker division to the force already in the department you would undertake the job. The Blenker division contained 10,000, and at the expense of great dissatisfaction to General McClellan I took it from his army and gave it to you. My promise was literally fulfilled. I have given you all I could, and I have given you very nearly, if not quite, 35,000.

Now for yours: On the 23rd of May, largely over two months afterward, you were at Franklin, Va., not within 300 miles of Knoxville nor within 80 miles of any part of the railroad east of it, and not moving forward, but telegraphing here that you could not move for lack of everything. Now, do not misunderstand me. I do not say you have not done all you could. I presume you met unexpected difficulties; and I beg you to believe that as surely as you have done your best, so have I. I have not the power now to fill up your corps to 35,000. I am not demanding of you to do the work of 35,000. I am only asking


Page 662 OPERATIONS IN N. VA.,W. VA.,AND MD. Chapter XXIV.