Dispatch Comprehension

[Lubliner]

Hi, all. On my @Land HO! message in the greeting section I mentioned my intrinsic delight toward the decorum and creative style of official correspondence and reports. My attention thus being drawn has decided impact on my own approach for sharing what I learn in my communications. I hope this does not put my audience on edge. I am a beginner to the forum and also worry about being in the proper place with this structure, so if it should be better addressed to another one, please have a moderator or forum host bump it.
As it has been said already, we are all beginners at some point. Even the Generals and Colonels, etc. had a presumptive affair at organizing the troops and preparing them for battle. Much can be determined in the Official Records (ORA+ORN), and many times, the inability to have communications understood becomes pointed with redress. Reading these and following the discourse, though compiled in a format, is much more time-consuming than first realized and hard to trace from a through z. I have endeavored to understand which left and right is meant on battle reports, whether that side or this, and eventually it comes clear toward the end, just cause to read it again. Also understanding depth of content regarding simple language qualifies for a studied brow to ponder. That is an introduction for this discussion, and willing participants with primary source documentation shall be most welcome to contribute. I am beyond beginning in this category. I will open with an example.

 

[Lubliner]

In the ORA, Series 1 Volume 11, Part 3, page 32-33, The headquarters reports for The Army of the Potomac, March 24, 1862 can be found. Being this is a brief on dispatch material, the consequence of knowing the surrounding activity shall be left to your own interest. Stanton had questioned McClellan in his advance, particularly about Fairfax, him being concerned with the Valley defense as the main Army was being transported to the Virginia Peninsula. At 10:30, General McClellan wires General Sumner at Fairfax, McClellan at Alexandria, asking about the condition of troops at Bull Run, so he could report back to Stanton. Sumner later replied in response to the question; "Can you manage supplies so as to push all your troops across Bull Run and drive the enemy from Warrington Junction?"; 'believing I could do so, I took it for granted you wished it done, and moved immediately. A guard will be left at this place and at Manassas Junction to-morrow morning. etc...".
In moving his men forward, notice the organization described; leaving a guard. The General is advancing with the troops, and positions defenders for cover until reinforcements arrive with specific orders. McClellan telegraphs back at 4:30 p.m. "It was not intended as an order to advance."
Anyone with examples of outright misunderstandings are cheerfully invited, and I hope I wasn't too clumsy with my intro, example, and invitation. Surely someone can do me one better.
Lubliner, cheers!