General Keyes:  A little improved, but think camp is getting worse.

General Porter:  Very good.

General Franklin:  Not good.

The president:  Where is the enemy now?

General McCLELLAN:  From four to five miles from us on all the roads
—­I think nearly the whole army—­both Hills, Longstreet, Jackson,
Magruder, Huger.

The president:  [to the corps commanders] Where and in what condition do you believe the enemy to be now?

General Sumner:  I think they have retired from our front; were very much damaged, especially in their best troops, in the late actions, from superiority of arms.

General Heintzelman:  Don’t think they are in force in our vicinity.

General Keyes:  Think he has withdrawn, and think preparing to go to
Washington.

General Porter:  Believe he is mainly near Richmond.  He feels he dare not attack us here.

General Franklin:  I learn he has withdrawn from our front and think that is probable.

The president:  [to the corps commanders] What is the aggregate of your killed, wounded, and missing from the attack on the 26th ultimo till now?

General Sumner:  1175. 
General Heintzelman:  Not large 745. 
General Keyes:  Less than 500. 
General Porter:  Over 5000. 
General Franklin:  Not over 3000.

The president:  If you desired could you remove the army safely?

General McCLELLAN:  It would be a delicate and very difficult matter.

The president:  [to the corps commanders] If it were desired to get the army away, could it be safely effected?

General Sumner:  I think we could, but I think we give up the cause if we do.

General Heintzelman:  Perhaps we could, but I think it would be ruinous to the country.

General Keyes:  I think it could if done quickly.

General Porter:  Impossible—­move the army and ruin the country.

General Franklin:  I think we could, and that we had better—­think
Rappahannock the true line.

The president:  [to the corps commanders] Is the army secure in its present position?

General Sumner:  Perfectly so, in my judgment. 
General Heintzelman:  I think it is safe. 
General Keyes:  With help of General B. [Burnside] can hold position. 
General Porter:  Perfectly so.  Not only, but we are ready to begin
                moving forward. 
General Franklin:  Unless river can be closed it is.