The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-24
THE FAMOUS PATTERSON CAMPAIGN.
What General Patterson Says In His Owl
Dcfcnce-Stat ement or the Orders Which
H ~

what General Patterson Says In HIS Own
Dcfcnce-Statemento or the Orders Which
On the 10th inst the members OF the First City Troop
Of Philadelphia met in commemoraton OF the formation
After assembling at their armory the Troop proceeded
70 the Continental Hotel where they partook OF the ami
versary supper At that time the spacious dining room
presented brilliant and animated scene.
Upwards OF eighty members in their handsome uni.
OF tho room hung the old flag of the Troop, which was
borne through the battles Of Trenton and Princeton aud
Tue coors recently presented TO the Troop Tho table
was also graced with tho presence Of Generals Patterson
and Cadwaader and few other invited guests The bill
Of fare comprised the choicest viands
After theso had been ably discussed Gen Patterson in
response to toast and three cheors made speech ex
paining his reasons for not inteceptng Gen Johnston
previous the battle OF Manassas Junction He returned
thanks for the compliment paid him. for the manner
~ which II had been received He said that he was not
in the habit OF giving for anything he did or did
gonce as the members OF tho First City Troop part Of
ms command IN the short campaign in the Valley Of yr
gna, he considered 1t due to them well as TO himself
to give short statement Of facts
During the latter part of July all August, and part or
september there was no SANDER against him so gross
that could not 90 asserted and reiterated with mpunty
and swallowed with avidty The gentlemen OF tho Troop
knew how false these ISLANDERS were He hal submitted
to them quiet, although had tho documents Ia his
possession prove that he did all that he ordered to
do, and more than any had right to expect under
the circumstances in which he and his command
placed, and he dotted any man. high low, to put his
finger order dsobeyed.
The gentlemen tho Troop witnesses Of what was
uone anu ne asserted what they know 10 be true, that
the column was well conducted. There not false
step made, nor blunder committed The skirmishors
were always in 'front.' and the TANKS we'll protected.
They were caught in trap and fell into abuscade
They repeatedly offered the enemy BATTLE and when they
accepted it they beat them. There defeat and
retreat with his column.
II might be asked, "Why have you not male this state
mcnt sooner" Because the publication of the docu-
ments sooner would heve been most detrimental to the
public interests He preferred bearing the odum lbe
rally bestowed ON him rather than clear himself at the
expense Of the cause in which were all engaged.
Inc time had arrived wnen the matter could without In
jury to the SERVICE be inquired into and he deter
mined that 1t should be DONE and that before long
documents referred to should be published and spread
before the American people, unless those whose duty
was to do 80 should in the mean tmo do him justice.
He would state few facts. On tho Sd OF June he took
command at Chambersburg. On the 4th he was informed
by the General ef that he considered the addition 10
his force of battery Of ticry some regular in
fantry Indispensable On the 9Th of June letter OF in
structions sent him. in which he told there
must be no reverse check drawn battle would be
victory to the enemy, filling his heart with joy his ranks
with men and his magazines with voluntary conribu
tons; and, therefore, to take his circum
specify and attempt nothing without clear prospect of
success This was good instruction and most sensible
advice Good or bad, he was to obsy; and he did
On Friday the 18th, lie informed that the sup
position that he would the river the next
day or Tuesday General Mcdowell would be instructed
TO make demonstration Manassas Junction He
surprised at the order, but promptly obeyed On the
10th he reached Hagerstown and the 18th twothrds
demonstration by General Mcdowell In the direction Of
Manassas Junction, not made: and the 18TH Just
cross he tclegraphed by the General Chief send
him sat once n the regular troops horse and foot and
the Rhode Island regiment and attery and told that no
was ST. ong enough without the regulars, and TO keep
within limits until he conld satisfy him that hs ought to
go beyond them. On the 18th he again sclegrlhcd
''We pressed here. Send the troops have twice
called for without delay This imperative an lsthe
troops were sent leaving him whot single piece Of
tilsry, anc, for the Time single troop Of cavalry.
1t was gloomy night, but they all brought over
the river again without loss.
On the 10Th Of Juno he asked by the General in
Chief to propose, without delay, plan Of operations. On
the 2lst he submitted to the Generan- Cnef his plan
which TO abandon the present line of operations move
all supplies to Frederick, Occupy Maryland Heights with
Major Doubletays heavy guns and brigade OF infantry
to support them, and with everything elsehorse foot
and artleryto cross the Potomac at Point OF Rocks,
and unite with Colonel Stones force at Leesbug from
which point h. could operate circumstances should de-
mand and the Generals orders should require No reply
received but on the 9th the General teegaphed
him that he supposed he that day crossing the river
in pursuit Of the enemy.
On that day the enemy in condition cross the
river in his pursuit. He had fifteen thousand men
and from twenty to wentyfour guns General Patterson
had about ten thousand men and six guns-the latter
movable for want OF harness On tho 25th he informed
tho General OF the strength the enemy and of his own
force that he would not on his responsibility, at
attack wthou'eartlery, but would do so cheerfuy and
promptly fo would give him an explicit order to that
effect No order given On the 9th no received tho
harness for his single battery OF six smooth bore guns
July ho crossed met the eaemy, and whipped them.
On the 9tp Of July council was held, at which all the
commanders Of divisions and brigades and chiefs
present Cocuel Stone, the junior line officer spoke
twice and decidedly against advance, advocating
direct movement to Shcphardsown and Charlestown.
All who spoke opposed an ADVANCE and all voted against
On tho day he informed the General in Chief
OF the condition Of affairs in the valley and proposed that
bic should to Charlesown and occupy Harpers Ferry
and asked 10 be informed when he would atnck
On the 10th he was directed 80 whore he had PROPOSED
and informed that Manassas would be attacked on Tues
day, the 16th On the 18th he was toleraphedss not
strong enough 10 beat tho enemy early week make
demonstrations so as to detan him in the valley Of Win
chestcrp He made the demonstrations and on the 10th
l. hQ
drove the enemy pckets into his inrenchmcnts VIM
chester, and on the nth marched 10 Charlestown.
On the 18th he tacgraphcd the GcneraIin Chief that
Johnston was in position to have his strength doubled
just as ho could reach him. and that he would rather lose
the chance Of accomplishing something brilliant than by
hazarding his column. to destroy the fruits Of the
pagn by defeat, closing his despatch THUS II wrng
let me be Instructed But no Instructions This
eight days before the battle Of Manassas On the
18th General Scott tclcgraphcdMc Dowells first days
work has driven the enemy beyond Fairfax Court House.
To morrow probably the junction will be carried With
this Information he was happy Johnston had been de-
tanned the appointed time, and the of General Pat
terson's column had been done
On the 18th, at half past in the morning he tels
graphcd Gen. Scott the condition Of the enemys force and
Of his own referring to his letter Of the 10th for full nfor
nation and closed the despatch by asking Sha
This was plain English and could not be misunderstood
but he received reply He expected 70 be attacked
where be and If Manassas not TO be attacked
that day. stated in General Scot's despatch of The
day previous hc ought TO have been ordered down forth
with join in the battle and the attack delayed until he
came He could have been there on the day that the
battle fought and his assistanc, might have pro-
duced different result.
On the Goth lie heard that Johnston had marched with
thirty five thousand Confederate troops and large ar
ttery force, in soutieascriy direction. lie imme.
diaey telegraphed the Information to General Scott and
krsw that he received it the same day
In accordance with instructions he came to Harpcrs
Ferry the 2ist which place he held until relieved
General Patterson, during tho course of his remarks
repeatedly appaudcd and closed amidst repeated
checrs.
Coroncrs' fnquests.
An inquest was held on Tuesday at No. SO Renwick