New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-19
A SPEECH FROM GEN. PATTERSON.

ORDERS WHICH he RECEIVED.
At Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon last, the
members of the Let City Troop met in commemora-
ton of the formation of the company in l774 After
assembling al their armory, the Troop proceeded TO
the Continental Hotel, where they partook of the
anniversary dinner.
Upward of eighty members, in their handsome
UNIFORM were seated around the table. At the fur
Their end of the room hung the old flag of tbs Troop
which was borne through the battles Of Trenton and
Princeton.
After these had been ably discussed, Gen. Patter.
son, IN response to "A toast and three cheers, made
forcbe speech, explaining lis reasons for not inter-
ceptlng Gen. Johnston, previous TO the battle Of
Manassas Junction. He said that he was not in Che
habit OF giving reasons for anything he did or did
not DO, but Ill the presence Of Of much intel
gence-a part of his command III the short campaign
IN the valley Of Virginia, he considered it due TO
them as well as to himself to give short statement
Of facts.
THE SANDERS AGAINST GEN. PATTERSON.
During the latter part of July, sll AugGst, and
part OF September, there Islander against him
so gross that it could not be asserted and reiterated
with IMMUNITY and swallowed with avidlty. The
gentlemen Of the troop knew how false these SLAM
ders were. He had submitted to them in quiet al
though he had the documents in his possession to
prove that he did all that be was ordered to do, and
more than any one had right to expect under the
circumstances in which he and bis command were
placed, and he deied any man, high or low, to put
his finger order dsobeyed.
NO FALSE STEP MADE.
The gentlemen of the troop were witnesses OF
what was done and lie asserted what they knew 10
be true--ihat the column well conducted. There
was not false step made, nor blunder commilted.
The shirmshers were always in 'front.' and the Hanks
well protected. They were caught IN no trap, and
fell into no ambuscade. They repeatedly offered tie
enemy battle and when they accepted 1t, they beat
them There was no defeat and no retreat with his
column.
FULL INVESTIGATION DEMANDED.
1t might be asked, "Why baye you not made this
statement soonerl" Because the publication Of the
documents sooner would have been most detrimental
TO the public interests. lie preferred bearing the
odium SO literally bestowed on him, rather than
clear himself at the expense Of the cause III which
we were all engaged. The time had arrived when
the matter could without injury to the service, be
inquired into and he determined that 1t should
be done, and that before long all the documents
referred 10 should be published, and spread before
the American peot le unless those whose duty 1t was
TO do 40 should in the mean time do him justice.
SOME oF THE FACTS.
He would state a few facts. On the 80 OF June
he took command at Chambersburg. On the 4th, he
was Informed by the General-in-Chief that he con-
sidered tue addition to his force OF II battery OF
artillery and come regular Infantry indispensable.
On the Sth of June letter Of instructions was sent
him, in which he was told that there must be no
reverse; check or a drawn battle would be We
tory TO the enemy, filing bis heart with Joy, bis
ranks with men and his magazines with voluntary
Contributions; and, therefore, to take his measures
oirCumspectly ard attempt nothing without clear
PROSPECT of success. This was good instruction and
moot sensible advice. Good bad, be was to obey
and he did.
IMPORTANT ORDERS.
On Friday, the 18Th, he was Informed that, on the
spf osiion that he would cross the river on the next
MOI day or Tuesday. Gen. Mcdowell would be in
structed to make demonsiration ON Manassas juno
ton lie was surprised at the order, but promptly
oheyed On the 10Th he reached Hageretown, and,
on the 10th two-hrds of his forces had crossed the
Potomac. The promised denomination by Gen. Nc
Dowe in tie direction Of Manassas Junction, was
not made; and on the 10TH just three days after he
rad been told he was expected to cross, he was ee-
graphed by the General-n. Chief to send HIM - at
once al the regular TROOPS horse and foot, and the
Rhode leland Regiment and Battery and told that
be was strong enough without the regulars, and 70
keen within limits until he could satisfy bin that he
ou0bt TO 90 beyond them. On the 18th he was again
teleQraphed ave are pressed here. sendthe troops
| / have twice called for without delay. This was
imperative and the troope were sent, leaving nm
without single piece Of artillery, and, for the time
,inVle troop OF cavalry. 1t was q gloomy night,
but they were all brought over the river again with
. cut Lose.
A PLAN OF OPERATIONS PROPOSED.
On the Goth OF June, he asked by the General
r-Chief to propose without delay plan OF opera
Chief his plan, which was to abandon the present
Line Of operations, move all supplies to Frederick,
occupy Mary land flights with Maj. Doubleday's
heavy guns, and brigade Of infantry to support
them, and with everything else-borse, foot, and
aTtilIery-to cross the Potomac at Point Of Rocks
and unite with Col Stones forces at Letsburg, from
which point he could operate as circumstances should
demand, and the Generals orders should require.
No reply was received; but on the 9th, the Cen
eral teeaphed to him that he supposed 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. lie bad over $1,000 men,
and from 20 10 "a guns. Gen. Patterson had about
10, 900 men and guns, the latter immovable for
want of harness. On the 2Sih be informed the Gen.
eral of the strength Of the enemy and Of bis own
force; that be would not on his own responsibility
attack without artillery, but would do 80 cheerfully
aud promptly if he would give him an explicit order
10 That effect. No order was given. On the Goth
he received the harness for his single battery of six
bore guns and the Both gave the order to
cross On the ID Of July lie crossed met the enemy
and whipped them.
PROPOSITIONS.
On the 9th Of July council was held, at which
all the commanders of division and brigades, and
chiefs of staff were present. Col Stone, the junior
line officer spoke twice and decidedly against an ad-
vance, advocating direct movement to Shepherds
town and Cbarlestown. All who spoke opposed an
advance, and all voted against one On the same
day he informed the Generalin-Chief Of the conai-
ton of affairs in the valley and proposed that he
should go TO Charestown and occupy harpers Ferry,
and asked TO be informed when be would attack
Manassas. On the 18th be was directed to go to
where he had proposed and informed that Manassas
would be attacked on Tuesday, the 10th. On the
18th he was telegraphed; !" If not strong enough to
beat the enemy early next week, make demonsira
lions 20 as to deiain him in the valley Of Wnches
ter" He made tue demonstrations, and on the 10TH
the day Gen. Scott sad he would attack Manassas,
he drove the eneys pekets into his intrenchrnents
at Winchester, and on the nth marched 10 charles
town.
On the 18th he telegraphed the General in-Chief
that Johnston was in position to have his strength