The sun., 1889-12-08
P0LIOT OF JKFF1RsON DAVIS AT
TIE BEGLNTENS or THE WIR.
Al Irportant Nut Little Known Historical
Fast-WhY Washington Yves Net Tsken
Aftep the First Hattie OF Manassas.

An Inportsut nut Little Known Historical
Fsst-whX WashinEton Yves Net Tskeu
Aftsp the First battle OF Manassas.
After the first battle Of Manassas, that H.
the one on Sunday as distinguished from the
battle Of Bull Run, which occurred on the pre-
ceedinR Thursday. many people were surprised
that the Confederates did not take advantage
OF their victory to capture Washington city.
The rout OF the Union troops, the consterna-
tiun and flight OF the Con Rressmen and others.
who had gone to the field OF action In q gay
mood to SEQ the fray, and the undefended con-
dition OF the CAPITAL, indicated that such an
undertaking would not have been difficult.
Beauregard, who commanded the Confederate
force. II was Understood, was disposed to fol-
low uD his victory BY entering Washington but
he was prevented by Mr.. Davis, then the pro-
visional President Of the Confederacy, who had
arrived. fiom Richmond, at Manassas, inst at
the conclusion Of the battle.
There was so much 10y in Richmond over the
success Of the Southern troops and such CONT
dence in Mr.. Davis that little was said at the
time about the Coniederates not going to
Washington. Shortly after however, this mat
ter was warmly discussed IN the press some Of
the papers expressin gidissR tisfaction that their
victorious force did not take Washington.
they not knowing then exactly whom to blame.
II, indeed, anybody could be blamed. A few
days after the battle Beauregards friends said
Mr.. Davis alone was responsible. This decR-
ration appeared to be offensive to Mr. Davis.
aud many believed 1t was that, together with
some jealousy Of the popularity BeaureRard
had acquired, which caused an estranEement
between the two Confederate leaders. and
from which Beauregard subsequently euf-
ferod neglect In not being assigned to most
important military duty where he might dis
tinguish himself according to his rank.
Certainly, Mr. Davis the day after he re-
turned from Manassas. when called out to
speak from the Spotswood Hotel, received tho
paudits OF tho assembled crowd as II he had
contributed to the victory Of Sunday and with
out either he or his friends mentioning Besure-
gard in proper terms. 1t was O Davis crowd.
really. composed In a great part OF officehold-
ers and office seekers. which was thus ad-
dressed. The fact Is. Mr.. Davis left Richmond
Sunday morning for Manassas with Senator
Wigiall OF Texas and few other friends. and
could not have arrived at the battlefield until
the conflict ofiarms was closing He took no
action, therefore In the battle. although he was
there In time 10 prevent the movement OF Beau
force upon Washington.
Well. why did the Confederate President
hinder the capture OF Washington II. as seemed
such capture were practcable7 His
own explanation when he deemed 1t necessary
to make one. was In effect that by taking tho |
capital the line Of battle or war, between the
two sections would be transferred from the
Potomac to the Susauehanna. thus bringing 1t
up to the dense population OF the North and
making 1t difficult for the Confederates. with |
their limited military resources. to defend such |
an extended area besides intensifyinR the war
feeling Of the Northern people before the South |
was we'll prepared to equip and move large |
armies. SO far this appears to be a military |
argument strictly, and it must be left to those |
Who understand the art OF war to decide |
whether 1t Ia good one or not
But behind this military idea there was O
question of policy. ON which Mr.. Davis and the
cotton States secessionists generally differed
With some Of the leaders and people OF the bor-
Ter States. The former were intent on abso-
ute separation from the North. believing their
lave property and political rights would never
70 safe In q Union whore the leading mon OF
he dominant party were guided by Tho
higher law''-the law OF sentiment-which they
placed above the written law or Constitution.
Nhe latter, among which Henry A. Wise OF Vir-
.inia was prominent would have preferred
evolution In the Union, II practicable. and
specially when the opportunity seemed to
ave been offered by capturing Washington.
These border State men who wanted to take
be capital argued that the Confederates. by
hat act. would have acquired vast amount
4 military stores. have brought In from Mary
and q largo contingent Of fighting men. and,
y proclaiming q revolution In the Union.
Tould have rallied to their support the Demo-
rats Of the North. But the extremists. the
had the power, and Mr.. Davis was
nth them. What would have been the conse-
uence OF seiZlng Washington and proclaiming
revolution no one at this day could say. If
uccessful the precedent would have been bad.
Though an enormous sacrifice Of life. prop
rty. and dangerous innovations might have
een avoided. Perhaps the outcome OF the ter
ible conflict as 1t is, with all its cost. may be
Or the best. and may ultimately prove q bless
ng. WILLIAM B. PHILLIPS,