McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885 to Henry W. Halleck
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00664.01 Author/Creator: McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885 Place Written: Bethel, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: May 28, 1862 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 21 cm, Width: 16 cm Order a Copy
George Brinton McClellan informs Halleck of reports that Richmond has been reinforced by troops from the south, and discusses plans for defending Washington. Letter written during the height of the Peninsula Campaign, when Union forces were closest to Richmond. McClellan states "Nothing especially new except combination of reports that reinforcements making Richmond from South. It is not confirmed that any of Bragg's troops are yet here. My opinion is more and more firm that here is the defence of Washington, and that I should be at once reinforced by all available troops to enable me to advance? Retreat would be disastrous to the army and the cause - I am confident of that." While Union forces were extremely close to Richmond at the time, Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign and other Confederate movements towards Washington meant McClellan had to worry about defending the capital, as well as his offensive objectives.
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