Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-12-04

IhS VI pIltTdllOUs, move All supplies lt
Frederick, occupy Maryland Heights with
Major Doubleday's heavy guns, and bri'
gade of infantry 20 support them, and with
everything else-horse, foot and artillery -
to cross the Potomac at Point of Rocks
and unite with Col Stones forces Mt Lees
burg, from which point he could operate
as circumstances should demand, and the
Generals orders should require. No re-
ply was received; but. on the 9th, the
General telgraphed to him that he suppo-
sed he was that day crossing the river in
pursuit of the enemy,
The Forces.
On that day the enemy was in condition
to cross the river in his pursuit. He had
over $4,000 men, and from 20 to "a guns.
Gen. Patterson about 10 600 men and six
guns, the latter immovable for want of
harness. On the 2Sth he informed the
General of the strength of the enemy and
OF his own force: that he would not, on
his own responsibility attack without ar
tillery, but would do so cheerfuly and
promptly If he would give him an explicit
order to that effect No order was given.
On the 29th he received harness for his
single battery of six smooth-bor guns,
and on the Both gave the order to cross
On the I'd OF July he crossed, met the en-
my and whipped them.
Propositions.
On the 9th of July council was held,
at which all the commanders of divisions
and brigades, and chief of aft, were pres
ent. Col. Stone, the junior line officer,
spoke twice and decidedly against an ad-
vance, advocating direct movement
against SbepherdStown and Charlestown.
All who spoke opposed an advance, and
all voted against one. On the same day
he informed the General in-Chiet o! the
condition of affairs in the valley, and pro,
posed that he should go to Charestown
and occupy liarper's Ferry, and asked to
| be informed when he would attack Man
assas. On the 18th he was directed to
90 where he bad proposed, and informed
| that Manassas wloud be attacked on Tues.
day 10th. On the 18th he was telegraph
ed: "lf not strong enough to beat the ens
eniy early next week. make demonstra-
tions so as TO detain him in the valley OF
Winchester" lie made the demonstra-
tioEs, ana on the 18th, the day Gen. Scott
said he would attack Manassas, he drove
the enemy's pickets into his intrench-
ments AT Winchester, and ON the 18th
marched to Charlestown.
On the 18th he telegraphed the Gener>
al-in ,Chiefthat johnson was in position
to have his strength doubled just as he
could reach him, and that he would rath
er lose the chance Of accomplishing some"
thing brilliant than by hazarding his col
umn, to destroy the fruits of the campaign
by defeat, closing his telegram thus; ''lt
wrong, let me be instructed" But no in
struclions came. This was eight days be-
fore the battle of Manassas. On the 18th
Gen. Scott telegraphed: "NcDowell'S
first days work hes driven the enemy be.
yond Fairfax Court House To morrow
the Junction will probably be carried" 3"
With this information lie was happy
Johnson had been detained the appointed
time, and the work of Gen. Patterson's
column had been done.
On the 18th. at in the morning, lie
telegraphed Gen. Scott the condition OF
the enemy's force and of his own, refer :
ring to his letter of the 10th for-full intor-
nation, and closed the dispatch by asking,
Shall attack ?" He expected to be at
tackled where he was, and if Manassas was
not to lie attacked on that day, as stated
in Gen. Scott's dispatch of the day previ-
Gus, lie ought TO have been ordered down
forthwith to join in :he battle, and the
attack delayed until he came. lie could
have been there on the day that the battle
was fought, and his assistance might have
produced different result.
On the Goth he telegrarhed that John
son had marched with $4,000 Confederate
troops. and large artillery force, in a
south easterly direction. lie immediate
ly ;elegraphed the information to Gen.
Scott, and knew that he received it the
same day.