August 24, 1862 (Monday): Good Night McClellan

Union Soldiers Along the Orange and Alexandria RR (Library of Congress)

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Aquia Creek, August 24, 1862 - 12 m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,
Commanding U. S. Army:
    GENERAL: I telegraphed you at 6 a. m. this day that I had arrived here and respectfully reported for orders.* I have heretofore received none, except to transfer my command to Aquia, and subsequently a telegraphic dispatch to come on in person as soon as I could.
    I took it for granted that I was to come here to receive orders and am ready to move in any direction, having my staff, & c., still on the steamers. The mass of Franklin's corps has passed here for Alexandria. A portion at least of Sumner's will embark to-day; the whole, if transports are ready for it. As soon as transportation is available Couch's division might embark at Yorktown.
    I regret to learn that General Pope last night abandoned Rappahannock Station without giving the slightest information to Morell and Sykes, who were within 6 miles of him. They discovered the fact accidentally this morning by means of a patrol they sent out. No certain direction can be given to those divisions until the position and intentions of Pope are ascertained, which can only be done through you.
    Williams' regiment of cavalry, from Port Royal, should be here in a few hours. I think they had better disembark here, as Porter and Burnside are very weak in cavalry.
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


   GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
   Major-General, U. S. Army.

* See Series I, Vol. XI, Part I, p. 93. 

AQUIA, August 24, 1862.

General PORTER:
    Have you had anything new from Washington since I saw you which causes you to say you shall push on to Rappahannock Station?
    Please inform me at once. I am waiting an answer from Washington.


    GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
    Major-General, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, D. C.,

August 24, 1962 - 12.30 p. m.

Major-General MCCLELLAN:
    Porter and Reno should hold the line of the Rappahannock below Pope, subject for the present to his orders. I hope by to-morrow to be able to give some more definite directions. You know my main object, and will act accordingly.


    H. W. HALLECK,
    General-in-Chief.

FALMOUTH, August 24, 1862.

Major-General HALLECK:
    I know nothing of General Pope's whereabouts, as he has failed to communicate with Porter's advance, which was but a short distance from him when he left Rappahannock Station. Our scouts discovered that the position was evacuated. I still hold the lower fords. I am at a loss to know whether Pope has continued his retreat behind the Occoquan. If consistent, please inform me of Pope's situation and send me any instructions you may have for myself or General Porter. General McClellan is at Aquia Creek, awaiting orders.


A. E. BURNSIDE.

WASHINGTON, August 24, 1862 - 1.40 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va.:
    General Pope attacked last night a portion of the enemy's forces which had crossed the Rappahannock at Sulphur Springs and drove them back. It is expected that the fight will be renewed to-day in that vicinity. I think we shall soon be strong enough to attack the main force of the enemy beyond the Rappahannock, but the present object is to hold that line. If there is no large force at the lower fords Porter should push forward and re-enforce Pope in the direction of Sulphur Springs.


H. W. HALLECK

WASHINGTON, D. C.,

August 24, 1862 - 1.44 p. m.

Major-General MCCLELLAN, Aquia Creek, Va.:
    I think Sumner's corps had better land at Aquia. We will then endeavor to get the forces together. A part of Heintzelman's corps reached Warrenton Junction last night. I hear nothing of Porter and Reynolds. They should hold the Rappahannock. A portion of the enemy's forces crossed at Sulphur Springs and were attacked by Pope late yesterday afternoon. He expected to renew the fight this morning, but the enemy is retreating. You can either remain at Aquia or come to Alexandria, as you may deem best, so as to direct the landing of your troops.


    H. W. HALLECK,
    General-in-Chief.

FALMOUTH, VA., August 24, 1862 - 9.40 p. m.

(Received 10 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
    Please inform me exactly where General Pope's troops are, that I may know what part of the Rappahannock is to be crossed from here and what transportation is necessary to supply the troops going to join him.
    Up to what point is the Orange and Alexandria Railroad now available? Where are the enemy in force?


    GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
    Major-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., August 24, 1862.

Major-General MCCLELLAN, Falmouth, Va.:
    You ask me for information which I cannot give. I do not know either where General Pope is or where the enemy in force is. These are matters which I have all day been most anxious to ascertain.


    H. W. HALLECK,
    General-in-Chief.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, D. C., August 24, 1862.

Major-General MCCLELLAN, Falmouth:
    There is nothing more to communicate to-night. I do not expect to hear from Pope before to-morrow. Will telegraph to you at Aquia.
    Good night.


    H. W. HALLECK,
    General-in-Chief.

FALMOUTH, VA.,

August 24, 1862 - 12 midnight.

Major-General HALLECK:
    Are you in communication with Warrenton Junction and are Pope's forces in advance of Warrenton Junction?


    GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
    Major-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., August 24, 1862.

(Sent August 25, 12.50 a. m.)
Major-General MCCLELLAN:
General Pope did not retreat from Rappahannock Station, but advanced and attacked the enemy near Sulphur Springs and is now in  pursuit. What we intend is to hold the line of the Rappahannock until all our forces can get together. Your operations are to be directed to this object. Kearny is at Warrenton Junction, but Pope is near Waterloo Bridge. There is no telegraph line to him.


   H. W. HALLECK.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 12, Part 3, Pages 645-647.

There is a striking disarray to the Union effort.  Burnside doesn't know where Pope is, nor does McClellan, nor does the commanding general of the theatre, Halleck.  It is reduced to comic effect when McClellan persists in pressing Halleck for answers after being told he has no information, punctuated by the Halleck's, "Good night".  Ironically, after saying there is no more information, Halleck then replies with his first news of Pope.  As indicated, a number of small actions occurred during this period.  Pope considered attacking Lee's right across the Rapidan River, but the river was too high. Meanwhile, faced with the prospect of Union reinforcements Lee divided his army, sending Jackson and Stuart to try and cut Pope's line of communications along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.