April 15, 1862 (Monday): Conditions on the Peninsula

Gloucester Point

FORT MONROE, April 15, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
     I arrived this morning. Have been on board of the Monitor, and thence to the Minnesota, where I saw Commodore Goldsborough, whose plan for receiving the Merrimac is as perfect as circumstances will admit. He awaits an attack, and will not be drawn from his position into shallow water. Merrimac not seen to-day. Commodore Goldsborough has sent four gunboats to General McClellan's assistance, and has three more in reserve to aid the landing in the Severn. The necessity of occupying Gloucester seems admitted on all hands. Gloucester once taken, Commodore Goldsborough will pass above Yorktown and shell the enemy in flank. This is understood between the two commanders. The enemy has seen the necessity of defending Gloucester and is preparing for it. The country, made almost impassable by the late rains, will soon be in good condition for wagons, except through the known swamps. I hear much better accounts of the condition of the public property than was reported a few days ago on good authority. I am persuaded than the army is in good spirits, and is full of reliance on their commander, who is confident of success; but he needs heavy guns, which are but just now reaching him. I see no opening for any additional order from the War Department.



E. A. HITCHCOCK,
Major-General Volunteers.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 11, Part 3, Page 100.

Hitchcock was the grandson of Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen (E. A.) and had been an instructor in tactics and Commandant of Cadets at West Point.  He served in staff positions during the war.  Here he reports back to the Secretary of War on the state of affairs on the Peninsula.  A factor Hitchcock points out is the condition of roads in the area, which was often poor.  While McClellan was unable to move more rapidly than his siege guns could be brought up to drive away the enemy from Yorktown and Gloucester Point, had he moved more rapidly he would not have in any case been able to have moved forward until the roads dried sufficiently.