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stake, and all depends now upon the cheerful co-operation of all in the field.
This week is the crisis of our fate.
Say the same thing to my friends in the Army of the Potomac, and that the last request I have to make of them is that, for their country's sake, they will extend to
General Pope the same support they ever have to me.
I am in charge of the defences of
Washington, and am doing all I can to render your retreat safe, should that become necessary.
General Porter sent the following reply:--
Fairfax Court-House, 10 A. M., September 2, 1862.
You may rest assured that all your friends, as well as every lover of his country, will ever give, as they have given, to
General Pope their cordial co-operation and constant support in the execution of all orders and plans.
Our killed, wounded, and enfeebled troops attest our devoted duty.
It need hardly be said that
General McClellan's message, unexplained, is open to the obvious inference that he had some doubt whether
General Porter and the troops under him would be faithful in the discharge of their duty to the nation and its cause; but no such impression ever crossed his mind, and what he did was done solely at the
President's request.
On the same day, September 2, the roads leading