Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-11-28
Secret History of the War--General
Patterson's Defense.

on Satufuay, commencement
the formation Of the Company in IVA by
supper at the Continental: Gen. Patterson
was present, and, in response to toast and
three cheers, made forcible speech. ex-
planning his reasons for not intercepting Gen.
Johnston previous to the battle Of Manassas ,
Junction. He returned thanks for the
compliment paid him, and for the manner
in which it had been received. He said that
he was not in the habit of giving reasons for
anything he did or did not do, but in the
presence of men of so much intelligence as
the members Of the First City troop, part
of his command in the short campaign IN
the valley of Virginia, he considered it due
to them as well as to himself to give a short
statement Of facts
During the latter part Of July, all August,
and part of September, there was no Sian
der against him so gross that it could not be
asserted and reiterated with impunity and
swallowed with avidity. The gentlemen Of
of the troop knew how false these ISLANDERS
we're lie had submitted to them in quiet
although he had the documents in his pos
session to prove that he did all that he was
ordered to do, and more than any one had II
right to expect under the circumstances in
which he and his command were placed and
he dcfed any man, high or low, to put his
finger on an order disobeyed.
| The gentlemen Of the troop were wit.
nesses Of what was done, and he asserted
what they knew to be true, that the column
was well conducted There was not false
step made, nor bunder committed. The
skirmishers we're always in front, and the
Aanks well protected. They were caught in
no trap, and fell into no ambuscade. They
repeatedly offered the enemy battle, and
| .ut, 81. al haa
There was no defeat and no retreat with his
column. .. fa
1t might be asked, "Why have you not
! made this statement so0ner?" Because the
publication of the documents sooner would
have been most detrimental to the public in
i terests. He preferred bearing the odiurn so
: literally bestowed on him, rather than clear
0 himself at the expense Of the cause in which
o we were all engaged. The time had arrived
5 when the matter could, without injury to the
service, be inquired into and he was de-
teruined that it should be done, and that
n before long all the documents referred tc
:, should be published, and spread before the
g American people, unless those whose duty
e it was to do so should in the mean time dc
K him justice.
n He would state few facts On the Sd o
!. June he took command at Chanbersburg
n On the 4th he was informed by the Genera.
n in.Chicf that he considered the addition Il
q his force of battery of artillery and som,
s. regular infantry indispensable. On the ST.
Z Of June letter Of instructions was sent hin
N in which he was instructed that there mus
ir be no reverse check or drawn battl,
1t would be victory to the enemy, filling hi
!. heart with joy, his ranks with men and hi.
is magazines with voluntary contributions
d and therefore, to take his measures circum
Ie specify and attempt nothing without clea
st tion and most sensible advice. Good or bad
% he was to obey and he did.
!. On Friday, the 18th, he was informed that
!. on the supposition that he would cross tn
:. river on the next Monday or Tuesday, Gen
" Mcdowell would be instructed to make
l. demonstration on Manassas junction. ii
was surprised at the order, but pronptl
|, obeyed, On the 18th he reached Hagers
Ie town. and on the 10th two-thirds OF his force
r had crossed tho Potomac. The promiset
!. demonstration by Gen. Mcdowell, in tn
i, direction Of Manassas Junction, was no
,e made; and on the 10th, just three day
utter he had been told he was expected I
n. cross, he was telegraphed by the Genera
nj in Chief TO send him ''at once all the regua
I'd troops, horse and foot, and the Rhode |,
= land Regiment and Battery" aud that h
ly was strong enough without the regulars, an
rs to keep within limits until he could satisf
III him that he ought to go beyond them. o
n, the 18th he was again telegraphed,- wv
w arc pressed here. Send the troops | hav
nd twice called for without delay" This WI
e imperative, and the troops were sent, leavin
ed him without n single piece Of artillery, ant
n. for the time, single troop of cavalry.
NO was gloomy night, but they were all brougl
IN over the river again without loss.
"A. On the 10th IT June he was asked by I'll
General.in- n-Chiefto propose, without delay
III nitted to tho General-in. Chief his plar
~ n which was to abandon the present line
N. operations, move all supplies to Frederick
.lv occupy Maryland Hights with Major Dol
n. bleday's heavy guns, and Brigade of II
n. tantry TO support them, aud with everythir
ii else-horse, foot aud artilery-to cross Il
~ ~. Potomac ut Point Of Rocks and unite wit
nd COL Stones force ut Leesburg, from whic
he point he could operate as circumstanc
~ should demapd and the Generals orde
nv should require. No reply was received
on on but, on the 9TH, the General telcgrapht
ch him that he supposed he was that day eros
nd ing the river in pursuit OF the enemy,
IL On that day the enemy was in condition
,a' cross the river in pursuit. He had over 4
az. teen thousand men, and from twenty
,nr twenty.four guns. Gen. Patterson hi
w. about ten thousand men and six guns, b
M latter immovable for want Of harness. {
n" n, the 2sth he informed the General Of tl
.e' strength ofthe enemy and of his own fore
N, that he would not, on his own responsible
he ty, attack without artillery, but would do
IN cheerfully and promptly ifhe would give hi
iii an explicit order to that effect No ord
;a' was given. On tho Goth he received Il
al harness for his single battery ofsix smoot
ho bore guns, and on the 30th gave tho ord
,as a to cross, On the I'd Of July he crosse
'' met the enemy aad whipped them.
On the 9th Of July a council was held,
o,s which all the commanders of divisions Al
brigades, aud chiefs Of staff were preser
Col. Stone, the junior line officer, spo
ian twice and decidedly against an advance, a
vocating direct movement to Sheppart
oe town and Charlestown. All who spoke Q
vi posed an advance, and all voted against on
On the same day, he informed the Gener
au- in.chief OF the condition of affairs in the v
ley, and proposed that he should 90
nan Charlestown and occupy Harper's Ferry, a
-" -" asked to be informed when he would alta
. Manassas. On the 18th he was direct