Summary:
In the midst of the Battle of Antietam, George B. McClellan writes General-in-Chief Henry Halleck to discuss the progress of events. McClellan asks that Halleck send a force to occupy Chambersburg so he will have a reliable supply line.

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Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Gen.-in-Chief:

September 17, 1862--1.20 p. m. (Received 5 p. m.)

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,
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 19, Serial No. 28, Pages 312, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.