Evening star., 1942-03-15

pitalization before this conflict comes to
end, and too many hospitals would GER
tainly be better than not enough.
One of the most tragic angles OF the
Civil War was the lack Of hospitals,
surgeons and nurses, in both the North
and the South, and most lamentably was
this the case Immediately following the
first Battle of Bull Run, which was
fought in nearby Virginia July 81, 1861,
when over 1000 wounded soldiers were
brought to Washington, and those suf-
fering from disease greatly increased this
number. In the second Battle of Bull
Run, or the Battle of Manassas, fought
August 20, 80, 1862 the casualties were
considerably greater, and between 1000
and 5000 wounded soldiers were brought
to this city, where hasty provisions for
their care and comfort had to be made.
The first Battle of Bull Run was the
first major engagement OF the Civil War,
and the troops on both sides who fought
that day were as raw and green as any
troops that ever went into battle, and
strange to say, by the time night came
ON both sides thought they were licked.
The Union troops, however, got their
retreat well under way before the Con-
federates realized that they were mas
tiers of the field and were in no condition
to follow up what could have been made
q most disastrous defeat; as it was, it
came as near being debacle as one
could imagine, and, indeed, one would
be even justified in calling it such.
Gen. Mcdowell was in command OF
the Union forces and Gen. Beauregard
and Gen. Johnstown in charge Of the
Confederate troops, while 1t. Gen. Win
field Scott, the ranking Army officer
at the time, was quietly meditating in
the War Department over what he con-
sidered a bad move, but which he could
not prevent. History recognizes Scott as
a great general.
II is nice to get into the musty old
newspaper files, for here, sometimes, we
find bits of information which today are
almost forgotten.
The Case for Gen. Scott.
OF course, after the Bull Run engage
ment, everybody was passing the buck"
lust as they do today-and Gen. Scott
was being blamed most for the defeat,
end along this line is an interesting arti-
Gle published at the time that undoubt-
edly puts Gen. Scott in true light so
far as this particular battle is concerned.
1t relates to the remarks made by Rep
resentative William A. Richardson-who
succeeded Stephen A. Douglas in the
Senate-which were made in the House
of Representatives Wednesday, July "a,
1861. Upon this occasion Representative
Richardson said:
"I repeat that Gen. Scott had been
forced to fight this battle. will tell you
what occurred yesterday morning. My
colleagues Gogan and Washburne) and
myself were present with the President.
Secretary of War and Gen. Scott. In
the course of our conversation, Gen.
Scott remarked, I am the biggest coward
in the world rose from my seat.
Stay said Gen. Scott; II will prove it..
I have fought the battle against my
Judgment, and I think the President
ought to remove me today for doing it
As God is my judge he added, after
an interval of silence, I did all in my
power to make the Army efficient, and 1
deserve removal because did not stand
up when I could, and did not stand
here to vindicate Gen. Scott. am in
debted to the gentleman from Missouri
Tor the compliment he paid me. desire