Abraham Lincoln - The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln-VOL. VI (Chap. 1.110) lyrics

Memorandum Of An Interview Between The President And General Mcclellan AND OTHER OFFICERS DURING A VISIT TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC AT HARRISON'S LANDING, VIRGINIA. July 9, 1862. THE PRESIDENT: What amount of force have you now? GENERAL McCLELLAN: About 80,000, can't vary much, certainly 75,000. THE PRESIDENT:[to the corps commanders] What is the whole amount of your corps with you now. GENERAL SUMNER: About 15,000. GENERAL HEINTZELMAN: 15,000 for duty. GENERAL KEYES: About 12,500. GENERAL PORTER: About 23,000—fully 20,000 fit for duty. GENERAL FRANKLIN: About 15,000. THE PRESIDENT: What is likely to be your condition as to health in this camp? GENERAL McCLELLAN: Better than in any encampment since landing at Fortress Monroe. PRESIDENT LINCOLN:[to the corps commanders] In your present encampment what is the present and prospective condition as to health? GENERAL SUMNER: As good as any part of Western Virginia. GENERAL HEINTZELMAN: Excellent for health, and present health improving. GENERAL KEYES: A little improved, but think camp is getting worse. GENERAL PORTER: Very good. GENERAL FRANKLIN: Not good. THE PRESIDENT: Where is the enemy now? GENERAL McCLELLAN: From four to five miles from us on all the roads—I think nearly the whole army—both Hills, Longstreet, Jackson, Magruder, Huger. THE PRESIDENT: [to the corps commanders] Where and in what condition do you believe the enemy to be now? GENERAL SUMNER: I think they have retired from our front; were very much damaged, especially in their best troops, in the late actions, from superiority of arms. GENERAL HEINTZELMAN: Don't think they are in force in our vicinity. GENERAL KEYES: Think he has withdrawn, and think preparing to go to WASHINGTON. GENERAL PORTER: Believe he is mainly near Richmond. He feels he dare not attack us here. GENERAL FRANKLIN: I learn he has withdrawn from our front and think that is probable. THE PRESIDENT: [to the corps commanders] What is the aggregate of your k**ed, wounded, and missing from the attack on the 26th ultimo till now? GENERAL SUMNER: 1175. GENERAL HEINTZELMAN: Not large 745. GENERAL KEYES: Less than 500. GENERAL PORTER: Over 5000. GENERAL FRANKLIN: Not over 3000. THE PRESIDENT: If you desired could you remove the army safely? GENERAL McCLELLAN: It would be a delicate and very difficult matter. THE PRESIDENT: [to the corps commanders] If it were desired to get the army away, could it be safely effected? GENERAL SUMNER: I think we could, but I think we give up the cause if we do. GENERAL HEINTZELMAN: Perhaps we could, but I think it would be ruinous to the country. GENERAL KEYES: I think it could if done quickly. GENERAL PORTER: Impossible—move the army and ruin the country. GENERAL FRANKLIN: I think we could, and that we had better—think Rappahannock the true line. THE PRESIDENT: [to the corps commanders] Is the army secure in its present position? GENERAL SUMNER: Perfectly so, in my judgment. GENERAL HEINTZELMAN: I think it is safe. GENERAL KEYES: With help of General B. [Burnside] can hold position. GENERAL PORTER: Perfectly so. Not only, but we are ready to begin moving forward. GENERAL FRANKLIN: Unless river can be closed it is.