VI. Virginia — McClellan's advance.
- Obstinate delays -- the routes to Richmond -- battle of Kernstown -- raid of the iron-clad Merrimac or Virginia in Hampton roads -- McClellan on the Peninsula -- siege of Yorktown -- battle of Williamsburg -- fight at West Point -- advance to the Chickahominy -- recovery of Norfolk -- strength of our armies -- McClellan's Complaints -- fight at McDowell -- Jackson surprises front Royal -- Banks driven through Winchester to the Potomac -- Jackson retreats -- Fremont strikes Ewell at Cross-Keys -- Jackson crosses the South Fork at Port Republic, and beats Tyler -- Heth routed by Crook at Lewisburg.
the rooted inaction of the Army of the Potomac,1 with the Baltimlore and Ohio Railroad obstructed and broken up on its right, and the navigation of the Potomac precluded2 by Rebel batteries on its left, was stubbornly maintained, in spite of fitful, delusive promises of movement, throughout the Winter of 1861-2. Gen. McClellan, who, from his comfortable house in Washington, issued orders to all the military forces of our country, retained likewise the immediate and especial command of this grand army of 200,000 men, apparently fatigued by the necessity of framing excuse after excuse for its inaction,3 though the most of it remained under tents, exposed to the vicissitudes of a Winter which — though it had been remarkably dry and fine, with the roads in admirable condition, until Christmas — became stormy and inhospitable soon afterward; so that the since famous Stonewall Jackson, who, for eminent services