HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC,
September 17,
1862 – 1.20 p.m. (Received
5 p.m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
Please take military possession of the Chambersburg and
Hagerstown Railroad, that our ammunition and supplies may be hurried up without
delay. We are in the midst of the most terrible battle of the war – perhaps of
history. Thus far it looks well, but I have great odds against me. Hurry up all
the troops possible. Our loss has been terrific, but we have gained much
ground. I have thrown the mass of the army on the left flank. Burnside is now
attacking the right, and I hold my small reserve, consisting of Porter's
(Fifth) corps, ready to attack the center as soon as the flank movements are
developed. I hope that God will give us a glorious victory.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-general,
Commanding.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
19, Part 2 (Serial No. 28), p. 312
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