The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1867-03-09


tack or turn any position in this quarter was
Immediately impending, dispatched soa the
18th of July one Of my staff, Colonel James
the consideration of the President plan of
operations substantially as follows:
proposed that Gen. Johnston should unite,
as soon as possible, the bulk Of the army of
the Shenandoah with that of the Potomac,
then under my command, leaving only suf-
fcient force TO garrison his strong works at
Winchester, and to guide the five defensive
passes Of the Blue Ridge, and thus hold Pat
terson in check. At the same time Brig
Gen. Holmes was TO march thither, with all
of his command not essential for the defence
of the position of Acquia Creek These
functions having been affected at Manassas,
an immediate impetuous attack of our COM
bined armies upon Gen. Mcdowell was to
follow, as soon as he approached my ad-
vanced position at and around Fairfax Court
hopse, with the inevitable result, as | sub
lnivsed, OF his complete defeat, and the
destruction or capture of his army. This
accomplished, the army of the Shenandoah
under Gen. Johnston, increased with part
of my forces, and rejoined as be returned,
blythe detachment left to hold the mountain
passes. was to march back rapidly into the
Valley, fall upon and crush Patterson, with a
superior force, wherespeveri he might be
found. This, confidently estimated, could
be. achieved within fifteen days after Gen.
Johnston should march from Winchester for
Manassas.
Meanwhile, | was to occupy the enemy's
works on7this side of the Potomac, if, as
anticipated, he had been so routed as to en-
able me to enter them with him, or, if not, to
retire again for a time within the lines of
Bull Run with my main force. Patterson
having been virtually destroyed, then Gen.
Johnston would reinforce Gen. Garnett suf-
hcient to make him superior to his opponent,
General McClellan) and able to defeat that
officer. This done, Gen. Garnett was to form
an immediate juction with Gen. Johnston,
who Wae forthwith to cross the Potomac into
Maryland, with bis whole force, arouse the
people as he advanced, to the recovery of
their political rights, and the defence of
their homes AMI families from an offensive
invader, and then march to the investment
OF Washington. in the rear, while assumed
the offensive in front. This plan of opera
tlons, you are aware, was not acceptable at
the time, from considerations which appeared
SO weighty, as to more than counterbalance
Its proposed advantages. Informed of these
views, and OF the decision OF the War De-
partment, | then made my preparations for
the stoutest practicable defence of the line
.of Bull Run, the enemy having developed
hls purpose, by the advance on, and occupa-
tion OF Fairfax Courthouse, from which my
advance brigade had been withdrawn
The War Department having been informed
by me, by telegraph on the 18th of July, Of
the movement of Gen. Mcdowell, Gen. john
ston was Immediately ordered to form a
junction OF his army corps with mine, should
the movement, in bis judgement, be deemed
advisable. Gen. Holmes was also directed
to push forward with two regiments a bat
terry and one company of artillery.