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| Situation on June 30--Map by Hal Jespersen, www.posix.com/CW |
NEW YORK, June 30, 1862.
To the GOVERNORS OF THE SEVERAL STATES:
The capture of New Orleans, Norfolk, and Corinth by the national forces has enabled the insurgents to concentrate a large force at and about Richmond, which place we must take with the least possible delay; in fact, there will soon be done formidable insurgent force except at Richmond. With so large an army there, the enemy can threaten us on the Potomac and elsewhere. Until we have re-established the national authority, all these places must be held, and we must keep a respectable force in front of Washington. But this, from the diminished strength of our Army by sickness and casualties, renders an addition to it necessary in order to close the struggle which has been prosecuted for the last three months with energy and success. Rather than hazard the misapprehension of our military condition and of groundless alarm by a call for troop by proclamation, I have deemed it best to address you in this form. To accomplish the object stated we require without delay 150,000 men, including those recently called for by the Secretary of War. Thus re-enforced, our gallant Army will be enabled to realize the hopes and expectations of the Government and the people.
A. LINCOLN.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City, June 30, 1862.
Major-General WOOL:
McClellan has moved his whole force across the Chickahominy and rests on James River, being supported by our gunboats. The position is favorable, and looks more like taking Richmond than any time before. I will send you some service money.*
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City, June 30, 1862.
Major-General DIX,
Fort Monroe:
It is not probable the enemy have abandoned the line between White House and McClellan's rear? He could have but little object to maintain it and nothing to subsist upon. Would not Stoneman better move up and see about it? I think a telegraphic communication can at once be opened to White House from Williamsburg. The wires must be up still.
A. LINCOLN.
FORT MONROE, June 30, 1862.
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(Received 11 a.m.)
The President, ABRAHAM LINCOLN:
Everything has been done that is possible to open communication with General McClellan. I have sent an armed tug up the Chickahominy. Commodore Goldsborough sent up the James River, and Colonel Ingalls went up last night. We expect to hear to-day. At 10 o'clock yesterday the enemy had not occupied the point at White House. Our gunboats were still lying in the river, and the enemy's re-enforcements were only seen on the high ground a mile or two back. I cannot learn as yet whether they came this side of the White House. I shall soon have a report from Williamsburg.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
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FORT MONROE, June 30, 1862-11 a.m.
Honorable E. M. STANTON:
Will you please say to President Lincoln that the report from Williamsburg is just in? The enemy had not been at White House at 8 o'clock last evening. Our pickets extend to New Kent Court-House 6 miles this side.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
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FORT MONROE, June 30, 1862-2 p.m.
HONORABLE ABRAHAM LINCOLN:
We have no doubt that McClellan intended to abandon the White House. Our only line of communication with him by telegraph from that point would be along the railroad, which the enemy will hardly give up.
The communication of Commodore Goldsborough telegraphed to Gideon Welles, will have advised you that the general relies on the James River for all his communications hereafter. The commodore was with me an hour ago. I suggested that we should extend our wires from Williamsburg to the mouth of the Chickahominy and there communicate by the James River by steamers or carry them on the left bank of the river to Turkey Island Point, where the new depot is to be. The general has all the materials of the working party with him,
and will no doubt at once open a new line of telegraphic communication from his camp to the river, and thence to meet the old line at Williamsburg or Sole Point, higher up. We have no material here. I will make a reconnaissance in the vicinity of the White House, to ascertain whether the enemy are there.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
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WASHINGTON CITY, June 30, 1862-3 p.m.
Major-General HALLECK, Corinth:
Your telegram of this date just received. The Chattanooga expedition must not on any account be given up. The President regards that and the movement against East Tennessee as one of the most important movements of the war, and its occupation nearly as important as the capture of Richmond. He is not pleased with the tardiness of the movement toward Chattanooga, and directs that no force be sent here if you cannot do it without breaking up the operation against that point and East Tennessee. Infantry only are needed; our cavalry and artillery are strong enough.
The first reports from Richmond were more discouraging than the truth warranted. If the advantage is not on our side it is balanced. General McClellan has moved his whole force onto the line of the James River and is supported by our gunboats. But he must be largely strengthened before advancing, and hence the call on you, which I am glad you have answered so promptly. Let me know to what point on the river you will send your forces, so as to provide immediately for transportation.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
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TURKEY BRIDGE, June 30, 1862-7 p.m.
(Received July 1, 11.30 a.m.)
Honorable E. M. STANTON:
Another day of desperate fighting. We are hard pressed by superior numbers. I fear I shall be forced to abandon my material to save my men under cover of the gunboats. You must send us very large re-enforcements by way of Fort Monroe, and they must come very promptly. My army has behaved superbly, and have done all that men could do. If none of us escape, we shall at least have done honor to the country.
I shall do my best to save the army. Send more gunboats.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding.
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CITY POINT, JAMES RIVER, June 30, 1862, 8 p.m.
(Received Washington, July 1, 12 m.)
M. C. MEIGS,
Quartermaster-General:
The general is 6 miles above here, on the river. His army will probably fall back to Harrison's Bar, near here, to-morrow. It is nearly ex-hausted with constant and desperate fighting against fearful odds. If his army be not speedily re-enforced the results may prove disastrous.
Our department has the means of providing stores in abundance. McClellan wants men now more than anything else.
RUFUS INGALLS.
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Official Records, Series I., Vol. 11, Part 3 (various).
Events were fluid, reports conflicting. Lincoln had retained some optimism, but was in the process of approving a call for an additional 150,000 men. The wording of the call was likely that of Secretary of State Seward, as Lincoln himself was at the capital not New York (where Seward was). This day he would indulge in the unrealistic hope he could retain McClellan in front of Richmond until at least some of the new levy could arrive and take the rebel capital, an idea he would soon drop. At the same time he feared news of the call for more troops would leak out and start a panic once the North discovered the situation at Richmond. Stanton, started the day incredibly believing McClellan was now situated better than ever to take Richmond. The, at 8 p.m. communication was reestablished with McClellan who spoke in terms of "if none of us escape...." Meanwhile, Jackson delayed yet again, this time engaging in a pointless artillery duel at White Oak Swamp. Huger and Magruder both failed to execute their part in Lee's plan for the day. Longstreet and A. P. Hill did get up promptly, and suffered nearly 4,000 casualties at Glendale (Frayser's Farm) on the road to Malvern Hill, inflicting a like number on the Union forces concentrated there. About 1/3 of McClellan's army had now reached the James River and the general himself had traveled back to City Point to board the Galena and then return toward Harrison's Landing and Malvern Hill. His was now a command literally afloat, figuratively taking on water.
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