HOT WORK FOR HAZARD'S BATTERY. SEE P. 115.

SUMNER’S “ RIGHT GRAND DIVISION.’U

BY DAEIUS N. COUCH, MAJOR-GENERAL, U. S. V.

QR the evening of October 15th, 1862, a few days after McClellan had placedme in command of the Second Corps, then at Harper’s Ferry , the com-nding general sent an order for Hancock to take his division the nextPp 11Un ^ on a reconnoissanoe toward Charlestown, about ten miles distant.e division started in good season, as directed. About 10 in the mornings^ral McClellan reined np at my headquarters and asked me to go outk him to see what the troops were doing. Our people had met the enemy’sPost five miles from the Ferry , and while artillery shots were being0 Ranged, both of us dismounted, walked away by ourselves, and took seatsof y^ e< % e °f rocks. After a little while McClellan sent to an aide for a mapv lr gmia. Spreading it before us, he pointed to the strategic features of theMfi 6 ^ ^ le Shenandoah, and indicated the movements he intended to make,I t;° h kave the effect of compelling Lee to concentrate in the vicinity,

fo n ’ ffm'donsville or Charlottesville, where a great battle would beof ' Continuing the conversation, he said, “ But I may not have commandhis 6 arm y much longer. Lincoln is down on me,” and, taking a paper fromPocket, he gave me my first intimation of the President’s famous letter.

binitUA^ 116 General Couch to state that, with doing? Should you not claim to be at least his equal

/L . cu tliriA -5™ _ xn_- _ -u_ •___ n . , .1. -i ■ _

Retail

in. which to prepare this paper, he

0l0 ns i, " stenograpner in answer to ques-r ®coH ^ e ®°rs bearing chiefly on his personalections.— Editors.

a hd , ltt ®°ln’s letter is dated October 13th, 1852,J a be gins : « _ r. _ - - V - -

^eakijf* : Gear Sir, —You remember my

f 1:0 y°n of what I called your over-cautious-ffat y 0u re ^ ou n °t over-cautious when you assume

Vo L ,

eannot do what the enemy is constantlyHi. 8.

in prowess, and act upon the claim ? ” Further onthe President says: “Change positions with theenemy, and think you not he would break yourcommunication with Richmond within the nexttwenty-four hours? You dread his going intoPennsylvania ; but if he does so in full force, hegives up his communication to you absolutely,and you have nothing to do but to follow and ruinhim. . . . Exclusive of the water-line, you are

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