REMARKS. Casey's division at the recent battle of Fair Oaks was not surprised, according to reports made to me, but defective disposition of picket forces and inefficiency of officers, together with bad discipline, account for its conduct, in my opinion, in this battle. As a division, I do not think it could be trusted by itself in another engagement with the enemy soon, believing the shock and repulse it received in the last action has too much demoralized the men and officers to safely count upon their making a firm stand. The best disposition to make of the troops of this division under existing circumstances is to consolidate regiments, weeding out inefficient officers, and to combine them with other troops, in my opinion. I would break up the division organization, but not the brigade altogether. Efficient officers, association with good troops, and proper encouragement will, I think, work great changes for the better in this command. I am, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, N. H. DAVIS, Assistant Inspector-General, U. S. Army. MCCLELLAN'S HEADQUARTERS, Hon. E. M. STANTON : My dispatch of the 1st instant, stating that General Casey's division, which was with first line, gave way unaccountably and discreditably, was based upon official statements made to me before I arrived upon the battle-field, "and while I was there by superior commanders. From statements made to me subsequently by Generals Casey and Naglee I am induced to believe that portions of the division behaved well and made a most gallant stand against superior numbers, but at present the accounts are too conflicting to enable me to discriminate with certainty. When the facts are clearly ascertained the exceptional good conduct will be properly acknowledged. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, June 6, 1862-10 p. m. (Received 4 a. m., June 7.) Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: Statement of killed, wounded, and missing of the 31st of May and June 1, 1862, in front of Richmond: General Sumner, Second Corps, 183 killed, 894 wounded, and 146 missing; General Heintzelman's Third Corps, 259 killed, 980 wounded, and 155 missing; Keyes' Fourth Corps, 448 killed, 1,753 wounded, 921 missing. Total, 890 killed, 3,627 wounded, 1,222 missing. Grand total killed, wounded, and missing, 5,739.* A nominal list will be furnished as soon as the data can be received. *But see recapitulation of revised statement, p. 762. HEADQUARTERS GENERAL CASEY'S DIVISION, Capt. C. C. SUYDAM, CAPTAIN: A communication from Headquarters Army of the Potomac, under date of May 23, 1862, has been referred to me, desiring "an explanation in detail of the extraordinary falling off in the effective strength of Casey's division since March 30, 1862." I had been furnished with a copy of this letter several days ago, and at once made a report to you, a copy of which was handed to Major Davis, assistant inspector-general on the staff of the major-general commanding. In compliance with further directions from your headquarters, I had caused detailed reports to be rendered from the several brigades of my command, which were lost in the battle of the 31st ultimo, in common with the other books and papers of this division. The material for a report in detail is no longer in my possession. I can only refer to my former report and to the monthly returns from my brigades, now nearly ready for transmission, as conveying all the infor mation in my power to give. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SILAS CASEY, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding Division. [Indorsement.] JUNE 9, 1862. Respectfully submitted to Headquarters Army of the Potomac. Among the reasons for the falling off in Casey's division are, in my opinion: 1st, and principal. There were eight raw regiments in that division, and the troops had less opportunity for instruction and organization than the troops that fought at Bull Run. 2d. Until the division left Washington there was but one brigadier 3d. Great sickness, owing principally to unwholesome encampments and partly to a lack of sufficient military experience and vigilance on the part of officers. 4th. I think there has been a feeling of discouragement in that divis. ion, in which there are many excellent men, growing out of the impres sion, true or false, that the division has not been held in high repute. E. D. KEYES, Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Division. CAMP IN THE REAR, Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, June 17, 1862. Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac : GENERAL: The action of General McClellan in regard to my communication to you of the 4th instant was not communicated to me until the 14th. I would respectfully request you send to me at your earliest conven ience a copy of the dispatches sent by General Heintzelman and others to General McClellan upon which he based his dispatch to the Secre tary of War on the 1st of June respecting the battle of Fair Oaks, that I may place on record in your office a statement of facts in direct refutation of the same. HENRY M. NAGLEE, Brigadier-General. [First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS CASEY'S DIVISION, June 17, 1862. Respectfully referred, with a request that the documents be fur nished. Brigadier General Volunteers, Commanding Division. SILAS CASEY, [Second indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS FOURTH CORPS, Respectfully forwarded. If the documents are sent I think they should be sent through me, as I am as much interested as any one. E. D. KEYES, Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Corps. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Brig. Gen. H. M. NAGLEE, Commanding Brigade: Camp Lincoln, June 20, 1862. GENERAL: Your letter of the 17th instant, applying to be furnished with a copy of the dispatches sent by General Heintzelman and others to General McClellan upon which he based his dispatch to the Secretary of War of the 1st of June respecting the battle of Fair Oaks, has been received. In advance of the rendition of the official reports to the War Department the general commanding does not deem it proper to furnish copies of papers on file pertaining to the operations of the campaign. His dispatch of the 1st of June was, however, published by the War Department, and its contents are known to you. It is not thought that General Heintzelman's dispatches will be of any material value to you in preparing a statement of facts in refutation of matter in the general's telegram objectionable to yourself. You are aware that a subsequent dispatch to the War Department from the general commanding suspended the judgment of the behavior of Casey's division, on the 31st of May, conveyed in his dispatch of June 1, until further investigation shall enable him to do justice to the good conduct which was displayed by portions of the division on that day. The general commanding would be glad to receive any statement throwing light upon the occurrences of the 31st ultimo as far as Casey's division is concerned. His only desire in the premises can be to do full justice to any portion of the troops engaged. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, |