April 11, 1862 (Thursday): McClellan In A Good Mood

General William B. Franklin

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Near Yorktown, April 11, 1862-10 p.m. 

Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
    Weather good; work on roads progressing. Nothing is left undone to enable us to attack with least possible delay. Reconnaissances pushed boldly and satisfactorily to-day. Several skirmishes to-day, in which we have had a few wounded-none killed. In every case drove back the enemy with considerable loss in his side. Our men show the utmost spirit in all these affairs, and have been uniformly successful. I am delighted with Franklin's orders, and beg to thank you. I shall make the movement I have alluded to as soon as possible after he arrives. There shall not be a moment's unnecessary delay in any of the operations here.



GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 11, Part 3, Page 91.

Unsuccessful in getting McDowell's Corp sent to him, McClellan did succeed in gaining Franklin's Division.  Although persistent in trying to obtain as many troops as possible for his campaign, McClellan is seen here in relatively good spirits with regard to the force available to him.  After the fact he would complain mightily of the harm done by the detachment of McDowell, but here he seems relatively confident.