Today in History:

388 Series I Volume XII-III Serial 18 - Second Manassas Part III

Page 388 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. Chapter XXIV.

Please let me know at as early a moment as possible if there is any objection to my acting as I propose immediately.

Very respectfully,

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, June 14, 1862-11 a. m.

Major-General McDOWELL, Manassas:

Your telegram has just been received. You have all the knowledge possessed by the Department respecting the position of the forces under command of General Banks and General Fremont, and you also know what orders have been given by the President to those commanders as well as to yourself. I have no further orders to give.

EDWIN M. STANTON.


HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK,
Manassas, June 14, 1862.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

I have ordered General Shields to move as soon as possible to Catlett's. I was from no desire to avoid the full measure of responsibility which belongs to me that I telegraphed the condition in which my troops in the valley are placed. The change of the plan as to General Fremont's position affected me, and I ventured to submit, in the absence of any instruction to me, what I thought best to be done under the new condition of things.

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General, Commanding.

MANASSAS, June 14, 1862.

General BANKS,

Commanding Department, Winchester:

Permit me to inquire when you will be able to relieve my command at Front Royal, that I may get it into position to carry out the orders of the President.

A ferry has been established over the Shenandoah, which was sufficient to bring to this side a regiment of infantry, a section of artillery, and some cavalry, and which, therefore, I think should be sufficient to throw over from your command a force to guard the stores and occupy the place till your permanent arrangements can be made. To wait for those permanent arrangements would, I fear, delay the movements I am ordered to make beyond the time which would render them effective.

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General, Commanding.

WINCHESTER, June 14, 1862.

Major-General McDOWELL, Manassas:

Your dispatches are received. My command will be ready for the movement you suggest in a day or two at furthest. We must have


Page 388 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. Chapter XXIV.