Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-12-04
SPEECH FROM GEN. PATTERSON
His Campaign Defended Statement o {
the orders which he received.


So much has been said in denunciation
Of fGen. Patterson, who was in command
in the vicinity OF Harper's Ferry at the
time of the battle Of Manassas, that we
make room for the following synopsis of a
speech recently delivered by that gentle
nan, lie speaks as by the book, and
shows that the allegation that he "lost US
Me battle of Bull Run" &C., is entirely
ratuitous, and made either through gross
ignorance or criminal prejudice:
At Ptiladelph on Saturday afternoon,
10th ult., the members of tie First City
Troop met in CONNIE moraton Of the for
nation of the company in IVA. After
assembling at their armory, the Troop
proceeded to the Continental Hotel, where
they partooll of the anniversary dir ner.
Upward of eighty members, in their
handsome uniform, were seated around
the table. At the further end Of the room
hung the old flag of the troop, which was
borne through the battles Of Trenton and
Princeton,
After these lad been ably discussed
Gen. Patterson, in response TO toast and
three cheers, made foi chile speech, eX-
plainiug his reasons for rot iniercepting
Gen. Johnson, previous to the battle Of
Manassas Junction. He said he was not
in the habit OF giving reasons for anything
he did CT did not do, but in the presence
of men OF 50 much intelligence-a part of
his command in the sholt conpaign in the
valley of Virginia, he considered it due to
them as well as 10 himself, to give short
statement of facts.
The Slanders against Gen. Patterson.
During the latter part of July, all Aug
ust, and part of September, there was no
SANDER against him so gross that it could
not be asserted and reiterated with impu-
nifty and swallowed with avidity. Tie
gentlemen OF the troop knew haS false
these slanders were lie had submitted
to them in quiet. although he had the
documents in his possession to prove that
he did all that he was ordered TO do, and
more than any had right to expect un.
der the circumstances in which he and
his command were placed, and he defied
any man, high or low, to put his finger on
an order disobeyed
NO rdlSe oIep mdue'
The gentlemen Of the troop were wits
nesses Of what was done, and he asserted
what they knew to be true that the col
umn was well conducted There was not
false step made, nor a blunder commit
ted. The skirmishers were always in front,
md the fanks well protected. They we're
caught in no trap. and fell into no ambus-
cade. They repeatedly offered tine enemy
battle, and when they accepted it, they
beat them. There was no defeat and no
letreat With his column.
A Full Investigation Demanded
1t might be asked, "Why have you not
made this statement sooner?" Because
the publication of the documents sooner
would have been most detrimental 10 the
pullc interests. lie preferred bearing
the odum so literally bestowed on him,
rather than clear himself at the expense
Of the eau Sc in which we are all engaged.
The time had arrived when the matter
could, without injury to the service, be
INQUIRED into. and he was determined that
it should be done, nd that before long al
the documents referred to should be pub
lished and spread before the American
people, unless those whose duty it was TO
do so should in the meantime do him JUS
tice.
Some of the Facts.
He W uld state a few facts: On the I'd
of June he took command at Chambers
burg. On the 4th, he was informed by
the General.in Chief that he considered
the addition to his force of a battery of
artillery, and some regular Infantry, indis>
pensable Or the Sth of June letter of
instructions was sent him. in which he was
told that there must he no reverse; a
check or a drawn battle would be Veto
nv TO the enemy, filling his heart with JOY,
his ranks with men and his magazines
with voluntary contiibu ions; and, there
fore 10 take his measures circumspecily,
and attempt nothing without clear pross
pect Of success. This was good instruc-
lion and most sensible advise. Good or
bad, he was to obey and he did.
Important Orders.
On Friday, the 18th, lie was informed
that, on the supposition that he would
cross the river on the next Monday o:
Tuesday, Gen. Mcdowell would be instruc-
ted to make a demonstration on Manassas
Junction. He was surprised at the order,
but promptly obeyed On the 18th he
reached Hagerstown, and, on the 10th,
twothrds of his forces had crossed the
Potomac. The promised demonstration
bv Gen. Mcdowell, in the direction of
Manassas Junction, was not made and on
the 10th. just three days after he had been
told he was expected to cross, he was tel
egraphed by the Commander-n.Chief to
seNd him "at once all the regular troops,
horse and foot, and the Rhode Island Res
giment and Battery" and told that he
was strong enough without the regulars,
and to keep within limits until he could
satisfy him that he ought to 60 beyond
them. On the 18th he was again tele>
graphed, ave are pressed here. Send the
troops have twice called for without de-
lay" This was imperative, and the troops
were sent, leaving him without single
piece Of artillery, and, for the time, a sins
gle troop Of cavalry. 1t was a gloomy
night, but they were all brought over the