WASHINGTON, Sept 5,
1862.
Major-General POPE, Arlington:
MY DEAR GENERAL: You will excuse me for not answering yours,
official, of this morning. In the first place I did not know what would be your
command, the two armies having been virtually consolidated. In the next, I had
no time. Even now I can write only a few hasty words. The troops at present are
under McClellan's orders, and it is evident that you cannot serve under him
willingly. Moreover, your testimony is required by the Court of Inquiry ordered
on Generals Porter, Franklin and Griffin.
Your report* was read to-day to the Cabinet, and they were
unanimously of opinion that it ought not to be published. The President
coincides in that opinion.
The President and Secretary both think that no order in
relation to the recent battles should be issued at present. None was issued in
regard to McClellan's battles before Richmond. Do not infer from this that any
blame attaches to you. On the contrary, we think you did your best with the
material you had. I have not heard any one censure you in the least.
The differences and ill-feeling among the generals are very
embarrassing to the administration, and unless checked will ruin the country.
It must cease. It is discreditable to all parties. We must all act together or
we shall accomplish nothing, but be utterly disgraced.
You know that I am your friend and will never see any
injustice done to you if I can help it, but there are matters of such great
importance to be decided now that individual preferences must yield. We must do
what seems best to reconcile the differences which exist in the two armies. I
will explain to you more fully as soon as you come over to report.
Yours, truly,
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
__________
* That of September 3.
See Part II, p. 19.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
12, Part 3 (Serial No. 18), p. 812-3
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