March 24, 1862 (Monday): Anxiety Over the B&O

B&O Railroad (Library of Congress)

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 24, 1862.
Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN:
    Is there sufficient force along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio road for its protection? That is with the West a vital point, and as it is now ready to be opened no effort should be spared to secure it from further interruption.



EDWIN M. STANTON.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Seminary, March 24, 1862-7.30 p.m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
    There is ample force along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to protect it. It is probable that the guards were temporarily reduced yesterday to re-enforce Winchester. The exigencies have passed. There should no longer be any difficulty. I will call General Shields' attention to this matter, which had not escaped my attention.


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

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 12, Part 3, Page 17.

It took less than 24 hours after the Battle of Kernstown for the administration to become concerned about the security of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.  McClellan, here, is on the mark in saying there was more than enough security for the rail connection to the west.  But Jackson's aggression, coupled with rumors of his having 15,000 men (he had less than 4,000 at the time) planted doubts which would result in forces much greater than Jackson possessed being pulled away from McClellan's plan of campaign.