[
85]
Franklin said that, in giving his opinion as to going to
York River, he did it knowing that it was in the direction of
General McClellan's plan.
I said that I had acted entirely in the dark.
General Meigs spoke of his agency in having us called in by the
President.
The President then asked what and when any thing could be done, again going over somewhat the same ground he had done with
General Franklin and myself.
General McClellan said the case was so clear a blind man could see it, and then spoke of the difficulty of ascertaining what force he could count upon; that he did not know whether he could let
General Butler go to
Ship Island, or whether he could re-enforce
Burnside.
Much conversation ensued, of rather a general character, as to the discrepancy between the number of men paid for and the number effective.
The
Secretary of the Treasury then put a direct question to
General McClellan to the effect as to what he intended doing with his army, and when he intended doing it?
After a long silence,
General McClellan answered that the movement in
Kentucky was to precede any one from this place, and that that movement might now be
forced; that he had directed
General Buell if he could not hire wagons for his transportation, that he must take them.
After another pause he said he must say he was very unwilling to develop his plans, always believing that in military matters the fewer persons who were knowing to them the better; that he would tell them if he was
ordered to do so. The President then asked him if lie counted upon any particular time; he did not ask what that time was, but had he in his own mind any particular time fixed when a movement could be commenced.
He replied he had. Then, rejoined the
President, I will adjourn this meeting.
