WASHINGTON CITY TO BE COVERED. averaged about 220,000 men," was at no time large enough, according to his computation, to justify a determined offensive, since he persisted in computing the Rebel army confronting him at no less than "150,000 strong, well drilled and equipped, ably commanded and strongly in secure. "That no more than two army corps (about 50,000 troops) of said Army of the Potomac shall be moved en route for a new base of operations until the navigation of the Potomac, from Washington to the Chesapeake Bay, shall be freed from the enemy's batteries, and other obstructions, or until the President shall hereafter give express permission. "That any movement as aforesaid, en route for a new base of operations, which may be ordered by the General-in-Chief, and which may be intended to move upon the Chesapeake Bay, shall begin to move upon the bay as early as the 18th of March instant; and the General-in-Chief shall be responsible that it so moves as early as that day. "Dec. 1, 198, 213; Jan. 1, 219,707; Feb. 1, 222,196; March 1, 221,987. VOL. II.-9 129 "Ordered, That the army and navy cooperate in an immediate effort to capture the enemy's batteries upon the Potomac between Washington and the Chesapeake Bay. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. "L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General." Gen. McClellan's chief of spies had by this time reduced the force of the Rebels in Northern Virginia" to 115,500 men, with 300 field and 26 to 30 siege-guns-quite a formidable army, if its leader should conclude, after Gen. McClellan's embarking the bulk of his forces for Fortress Monroe, to make a rush upon Washington from behind the Rappahannock. Five days later, Secretary Stanton wrote, as we have already seen, to Gen. McClellan, that the President made no objection to his plan of operations, provided he would "1st. Leave such force at Manassas Junction as shall make it entirely certain that the enemy shall not repossess himself of that position and line of communication. "2d. Leave Washington entirely secure. "3d. Move the remainder of the force down the Potomac-choosing a new base at Fortress Monroe, or anywhere between here and there; or, at all events, move such remainder of the army at once in pursuit of the enemy by some route." Just before starting for the Peninsula, Gen. McClellan received, "with surprise," the following note, involving a subtraction, he estimates, of 10,000 troops from the force which he expected to have transferred to the Peninsula: "EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, "March 31, 1862. "Major-General MCCLELLAN : "MY DEAR SIR: This morning I felt constrained to order Blenker's division to Fremont; and I write this to assure you that I did so with great pain, understanding that you would wish it otherwise. If you could know the full pressure of the case, I am confident that you would justify it, even "Letter to the Secretary of War. |