The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-07-23

1t was ffty-four years ago, We'd
nesday, the 2lst, since the first battle
OF Bull Run Only those who lived
through those days of the third week
Of July, 1861, can understand its anx-
iety and dread. All through the
North, Secretary of State Seward as
chief optimist, with many lesser lights,
had assured us that 90 DAYS would
see the rebellion ended Lovers of
the Union could not understand how
a whole section of the country would
consent to rend the union of the
states apart. Democrats, who had
sworn by Andrew Jackson, and the
Wings who had looked on him as the
incarnation of political evil, but who
had praised him for his stand against
notification in 1882, simply could not
believe that even Democratic Presi-
dent, although supported and advised
by Southern leaders, would sit supine-
ly by and let armed forces take pos
session of United States forts and
custom houses. They knew that Gen.
Winfield Scott really great general,
was southern man, native of Peters
burg, Virginia, was loyal to the govern
ment, for it was he who enforced An
drew Jackson's orders against South
Carolina, General Scott had been
the Wing candidate for president in
1852, and the whole North trusted
him for honesty and ability; but they
did not realize his infrnity; his mind
was still alert, but physical weakness
was creeping over him; the sanguine
predictions sent from Washington by
Seward and those who took their cue
from him, together with the trust in
General Scott, made the North very
easy in mind. And when McDowell's
army started south from its intrench-
ments near Washington, a great COM
pany followed, some on horses, others
IN carriages, just as now a crowd
goes to big ball game or a regetta
Scott, who had conquered Mexico with
a mere handful of men compared with
the Mexican hosts, had organized the
United States army, and chosen its
commander. OF course, it would win!
And the crowd went along to see the
victory and follow the conquerors on
to Richmond, and witness the crush
ing of that little band of rebels. But
they saw something else and were
part, and a prominent part, of the
panic and stampede of the Union
army back to Washington. But there
IS another thing: the Confederates
simply knew that by the coming of
"Stonewalf Jackson they had repuls-
ed the Federals; they did not for
many hours know of theft panic and
retreat. | distinctly recall the dark
cloud of distress mingled with aston
ishment which rested over the North
the next few days; all manner of wild
tears and rumorS flew about; that the
Southerners were advancing on Wash
ington, that it would soon be in their
midst; that they would seize the reins
OF government and make an overturn
such as had been common in South
American countries; the fact was that
the Confederates did not know the
extent of their victory and had no
heart, energy or ability to make such
an attack on the National Capital
AS the truth about the Bull Run
panic became known through the
North the fear and distress was re-
placed with a grim determination to
wipe out the disgrace it had been
an expensive lesson, but was we'll
learned; and the spirit of the people
took form in the measures Of the
to raise, equip and drill
an army worthy of the nation and the
task before it. | we'll recall the re-
turn of the first three months men,
many Of whom had been at Bull Run;
a large number of the privatcs of those
militia regiments re-enlisted and be-
came officers in the three-year troops.
That fourth week of July. 1861. was a
very serious time for the country;
everybody felt so then; anxiety and |
dread was on every side. | remem-
Der how one man of middle age said |
to me; 1--WE shall all have to GO" Old
men beyond As years began forming
drill clubs; army and war was in the |
very air. Then the great training
camps were organized all around. the |
regiments recruited and sent off, those |