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June 1 -
Richmond, Va.,
June 1, 1862 -
General R. E. Lee:
Sir: The unfortunate casualty which has deprived the army in front of Richmond of it's immediate commander, General Johnston, renders it necessary to interfere temporarily with the duties to which you were assigned in connection with the general service, but only so far as to make you available for command in the field of a particular army. You will assume command of the Armies in Eastern Virginia and in North Carolina, and give such orders as may be needful and proper.
Very Respectfully,
Jefferson Davis.
Washington City, DC.,
June 1, 1862 - 9.30.
Maj-General McClellan:
You are probably engaged with the enemy. I suppose he made the attack. Stand well on your guard, hold all your ground, or yield any only inch by inch and in good order. This morning we merge General Wool's department into yours, giving you command of the whole, and sending General Dix to Fort Monroe and General Wool to Fort McHenry. We also send General Sigel to report to you for duty.
A. Lincoln.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
June 1, 1862.
Captain Goldsborough,
Flag-Officer, Fort Monroe:
A battle commenced yesterday between this and the rebel army, which is still undecided. Can you not order the gunboats on the James River to move up as near Richmond as possible. It would undoubtedly prove a good co-operation for me. Now is the time if you expect to give me any assistance, and not a moment is to be lost.
Geo. B. McClellan,
Major-General.
June 2 -
HDQRS. Longstreet's Division,
General Orders, No. 18.
The commanding general congratulates the troops of Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill and his own upon their handsome conduct in the various attacks upon the enemy's intrenched positions and camps in the battle of the Seven Pines, on the 31st ultimo, and the defense of the position on the 1st instant. After a severe struggle the enemy was driven from his stronghold and all his artillery and his entire camp captured.
By command of Major-General Longstreet:
G. Moxley Sorrel,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
Camp near New Bridge, Va., June 2, 1862.
Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac:
I have fulfilled at least a part of my promise to you. You are now face to face with the rebels, who are at bay in front of their capital. The final and decisive battle is at hand. Unless you belie your past history the result cannot be for a moment doubtful. If the troops who labored so patiently and fought so gallantly at Yorktown, and who so bravely won the hard fights at Williamsburg, West Point, Hanover Court-House, and Fair Oaks now prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely ours. The events of every day prove your superiority; wherever you have met the enemy you have beaten him; wherever you have used the bayonet he has given way in panic and disorder. I ask of you now one last crowning effort. The enemy has staked his all on the issue of the coming battle. Let us meet and crush him here in the very center of the rebellion.
Soldiers, I will be with you in this battle, and share its dangers with you. Our confidence in each other is now founded upon the past. Let us strike the blow which is to restore peace and union to this distracted land. Upon your valor, discipline, and mutual confidence that result depends.
Geo. B. McClellan,
Major-General, Commanding.
June 3 -
Headquarters,
Dabb's House, Va., June 3, 1862.
Maj. W.H. Stevens,
Chief Engineer Army of Northern Virginia:
Major: I desire you to make an examination of the country in the vicinity of the line which our army now occupies, with the view of ascertaining the best position in which we may fight a battle or resist the advance of the enemy.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R.E. Lee,
General.
McClellan's Headquarters,
June 3, 1862-6 p.m.
Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War:
Some firing to-day - nothing serious. Hard at work upon the bridges, removing wounded, &c. I expect at White House to-night six regiments, ordered up from Ft. Monroe. These will be at once distributed among the old brigades. The next leap will be the last one.
Geo. B. McClellan,
Major-General.
June 4 -
Hdqrs. Dept. of Northern Virginia,
June 4, 1862.
General Orders No. 62.
Division commanders will have 300 men from their respective divisions detailed as pioneers, who, under engineer officers, may be employed as working parties, to throw up earthworks, dig rifle pits, and construct line of abatis.
By command of General Lee:
R.H. Chilton,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Engineer Brigade,
Camp near New Bridge, Va., June 4, 1862.
General Marcy,
Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac:
Your last note of this date I received to-night, on the Chickahominy, 2 miles below New Bridge.
The commanding general, through Colonel Colburn, had directed me to make a foot bridge over the Chickahominy to-night. I concluded that I would try to make two foot bridges, one about one-fourth mile below the lower trestle bridge, and one about three-fourths of a mile below that. This great amount of work in one night made it necessary that I should call for details out of my own brigade. I have parties at work at both places, but they will not finish their work to-night at either place. At the upper place, however, I hope they will make a passable foot bridge ready for use in the early morning.
Respectfully,
D.P. Woodbury,
Brigadier-General Volunteers.
June 5 -
Headquarters, June 5, 1862.
Col. J. Gorgas,
Chief of Ordnance Department:
Colonel: Is there a possibility of constructing an iron-plated battery, mounting a heavy gun on trucks, the whole covered with iron, to move along the York River Railroad? Please see what can be done. See the Navy Department and officers. If a proper one can be got up at once it will be of immense advantage to us. Have you any mortars that we could put at some point on the railroad?
Very respectfully,
R.E. Lee,
General.
McClellan's, June 5, 1862 - 10 a.m.
Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War:
My order of the 25th May, directing the order of march from the Chickahominy and the disposition to be made of trains and baggage, is published in full in the Baltimore American of the 2nd instant. If any statement could afford more important information to the enemy I am unable to perceive it.
Geo. B. McClellan.
June 6 -
Port Republic, Va.,
June 6, 1862.
General Joseph E. Johnston,
Commanding, Department of Northern Virginia:
General: My present position is such that if Shields forms a junction with Fremont by moving west he will have to do so by marching within about two miles of my advanced brigade or else he must return to New Market. Should my command be required at Richmond I can be at Mechanic's Run Depot, on the Central Railroad, the second day's march, and part of the command can reach there the first day as the distance is 25 miles. At present I do not see that I can do much more than rest my command and devote its time to drilling. My advanced brigade is about 7 miles this side of Harrisonburg. If Shields crosses the Blue Ridge, shall my entire command, or any part of it, move correspondingly?
While I rejoice at your success, yet I am grieved to hear that you are wounded.
Very respectfully, yours,
T.J. Jackson,
Major-General.
McClellan's, June 6, 1862 - noon.
Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War:
Has been raining, but now stopped. River still rising. All quiet to-day. Several deserters and contrabands state that J.E. Johnston was dangerously wounded in battle of Fair Oaks and that G.W. Smith is in the command. Their loss is stated at 10,000. I only know that it is very great, far more than ours.
Geo. B. McClellan.
Major-General.
June 7 -
Headquarters,
June 7, 1862 - 11 a.m.
General Johnston, C.S.A.:
General: Your kind favor and present are received; many thanks for both....The failure of complete success on Saturday [May 31] I attribute to the slow movement of General Huger's command. This threw perhaps the hardest part of the battle upon my own poor division. It is greatly cut up, but as true and ready as ever. Our ammunition was nearly exhausted when Whiting moved, and I could not therefore move on with the rush that we could had his movement been earlier. We did advance, however, through three encampments and only stopped at night-fall. The enemy ran in great confusion, but the troops were arranged en echelon, and we encountered fresh troops every few hundred yards. These readily fell back, however, as the fleeing ones came to them closely pursued.
I can't but help think that a display of his forces on the left flank of the enemy by General Huger would have completed the affair and given General Whiting as easy and pretty a game as was ever had upon a battle-field. Altogether it was very well, but I can't help but regret that it was not complete.
With kindest expressions for Mrs. Johnston and the members of your staff, I remain, truly and sincerely, yours,
James Longstreet.
War Department,
Washington City, D.C., June 7, 1862.
Major-General McClellan:
Four regiments were embarked yesterday from Baltimore and one from here. One more goes to-day from Baltimore and one from here, making seven in all. McCall is ready to move as soon as transportation arrives at Fredericksburg. Please state whether you will feel sufficiently strong for your final movement when McCall reaches you.
Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
June 8 -
Hdqrs. Department of Northern Virginia,
June 8, 1862.
General Thomas J. Jackson,
Commanding Army in the Valley:
General:Your letter of the 6th [addressed to General Johnston] has been received. I congratulate you upon defeating and then avoiding your enemy. Your march to Winchester has been of great advantage, and has been conducted with your accustomed skill and boldness. I hope you will be able to rest and refresh your troops for a few days before compelled to enter upon active service. I desire you to report the probable intentions of the enemy and what steps you can take to thwart them. Should there be nothing requiring your attention in the valley, so as to prevent your leaving it for a few days, and you can make arrangements to deceive the enemy and impress him with the idea of your presence, please let me know, that you may unite at the decisive moment with the army near Richmond. Make your arrangements accordingly, but should an opportunity occur for striking the enemy a successful blow do not let it escape you.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R.E. Lee.
War Department,
Washington, D.C. , June 8, 1862.
Major-General McClellan,
Commanding Department of Virginia, before Richmond:
For the third time I am ordered to join you, and this time I hope to get through.
In view of the remarks made with reference to my leaving you and my not joining you before by your friends, and of something I have heard as coming from you on that subject, I wish to say that I go with the greatest satisfaction, and hope to arrive with my main body in time to be of service. McCall goes in advance by water. I will be with you in ten days with the remainder by land from Fredericksburg.
Irvin McDowell,
Major-General, Comdg. Department of the Rappahanock.
June 9 -
Headquarters, June 9, 1862.
Hon. George W. Randolph,
Secretary of War:
Sir: I received this morning a telegram from Staunton announcing a glorious victory achieved by the gallant Jackson and his troops. If confirmed it will enable him to take the offensive again. Re-enforcements will therefore be important to him. Those you ordered should go in that event.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R.E. Lee.
June 10 -
McClellan's, June 10, 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War:
McCall's troops have commenced arriving at White House. I have sent instructions. Weather good to-day. Glad to hear of Commodore Du Pont's and Hunter's progress. Give me a little good weather and I shall have progress to report here.
Geo. B. McClellan.
Major-General.
June 11 -
Headquarters,
Dabb's House, Va., June 11, 1862.
Brig. Gen J.E.B. Stuart,
Commanding Cavalry:
General: You are desired to make a secret movement to the rear of the enemy, now posted on Chickahominy, with a view of gaining intelligence of his operations, communications, &c.; of driving in his foraging parties, and securing such grain, cattle, &c., for ourselves as you can make arrangements to have driven in. Another object is to destroy his wagon trains, said to be daily passing from the Piping Tree road to his camp on the Chickahominy. The utmost vigilance on your part will be necessary to prevent any surprise to yourself, and the greatest caution must be practiced in keeping well in your front and flanks reliable scouts to give you information.
You will return as soon as the object of your expedition is accomplished, and you must bear constantly in mind, while endeavoring to execute the general purpose of your mission, not to hazard unnecessarily your command or to attempt what your judgement may not approve; but be content to accomplish all the good you can without feeling it necessary to obtain all that might be desired...
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
R.E. Lee.
General.
June 12 -
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
Camp at Dr. Trent's, June 12, 1862 - 6 p.m.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
Have moved headquarters across Chickahominy. The maps I send by to-day's mail will show positions. Made reconnaissance as far as Meadow Bridge this morning. Found the enemy quiet, but in force. Some firing and skirmishing near here to-day; amounts to nothing. Weather now good. Roads and ground rapidly drying.
Geo. B. McClellan,
Major-General, Commanding.
June 13 -
McClellan's Headquarters,
June 13, 1862.
Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside:
General McClellan desires me to say that there is a prospect of an engagement here shortly. He will telegraph you more fully in the course of two or three hours, and at any rate wishes you to remain at Ft. Monroe until you hear from him.
S. Williams,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
June 14 -
Hdqrs. Dept. of Northern Virginia,
June 14, 1862.
General Orders, No. 68.
III. The subject of subsisting this army having become one of the gravest importance, it is required that the most rigid examination be made of all provision returns to verify their correspondence with the number of enlisted men actually present with the companies on the day for which the return is made.
By command of General Lee:
R.H. Chilton,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
June 15 -
Headquarters Fourth Corps,
June 15, 1862.
Brig. Gen. S. Williams,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:
Sir: I am just in from General Casey's headquarters.
The cessation of the rains a few days has dried up the White Oak Swamp to a certain degree, and it is fordable in many places. If the enemy has force to spare for a diversion, Casey is too weak in that quarter.
A reconnoitering party of cavalry from Casey's camp proceeded to-day to within 2 1/2 miles of the James River and examined the roads toward Richmond. They discovered but a rew mounted pickets, and captured a horse and equipments and a carbine or two.
I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
E. D. Keyes,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Corps.
Headquarters Third Brigade,
June 15, 1862.
Circular.
General Ripley has been ordered forward to attack the enemy's outposts. Heintzelman is in our front and will probably give battle. See that your men have canteens; haversacks filled with cooked provisions, if possible. Rain's brigade will lead the advance in this division and this brigade next. Keep your men in the shade, but under arms, ready to move when the order comes. The order of march will be: Fifth Alabama, Twelfth Alabama, Sixth Alabama, and Twelfth Mississippi on left.
J.B. Gordon,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
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