Summary:
In late July 1862, George B. McClellan commanded the Army of the Potomac on the James River Peninsula, and John Pope controlled Federal forces in the Valley. In this letter, McClellan advises Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton to warn Pope that recent enemy troop movements could be destined for Staunton.

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Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:

BERKELEY, VA.,

July 20, 1862

Intimations come from various sources--from our returned wounded and prisoners--that a portion of the enemy's force has moved in the direction of Gordonsville. Although Lynchburg and Chattanooga is the probable direction, it will be well for Gen. Pope to keep a sharp lookout toward Staunton and Gordonsville. I conversation the rebels boast of going to Baltimore, &c. Our information begins to be more full.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

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Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 11, Serial No. 14, Pages 328, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.