Letter

Robert Patterson to E.D. Townsend, July 18, 1861

Author

Robert Patterson

Recipient

E.D. Townsend

Date

July 18, 1861

Type

Letter

CHARLESTOWN, V. A.

CHARLESTOWN, V. A., July 18, 1861.

Col. E. D. TOWNSEND: _ Telegraph of to-day received. The enemy has stolen no march upon me. I have kept him actively employed, and by threats and reconnaissances in force caused him to be re-enforced. I have accomplished in this respect more than the General-in-Chief asked or could well be expected, in face of an enemy far superior in numbers, with no line of communication to protect. Our future post-office, Sandy Hook. R. PATTERSON, Major-General, Commanding.

CHARLESTOWN, V. A., July 18, 1861—1p. m. Col. E. D. TOWNSEND,

J have succeeded, in accordance with the wishes of the General-inChief, in keeping General Johnston’s force at Winchester. A reconnaissance in force on Tuesday caused him to be largely re-enforced from otrasburg.

With the existing feeling and determination of the three months’ men to return home, it would be ruinous to advance, or even to stay here, without immediate increase of force to replace them. They will not remain.

I have ordered the brigades to assemble this afternoon, and shall make a personal appeal to the troops to stay a few days until I can be re-enforced. Many of the regiments are without shoes; the Government refuses to furnish them; the men have received no pay, and neither officers nor soldiers have money to purchase with. Under these cireamstances, I cannot ask or expect the three months’ volunteers to stay longer than one week. Two companies of Pennsylvania volunteers were discharged to-day and ordered home. I to-day place additional force at Harper’s Ferry, and establish communication with Maryland.

I send Captain Newton to prepare for its defense.

R. PATTERSON, Major-General, Commanding. (Repeated same day.)

CHARLESTOWN, V. A., July 18, 1861.

COLONEL: I arrived at this place on the 17th instant. Nothing of importance occurred on the march. The principal inhabitants left some ten days since, anticipating its occupation by the Federal troops. It was till our arrival the location of a band of secession militia, engaged in pressing into service the young men of the country.

I have to acknowledge the receipt of two telegrams from the Generalin-Chief of the 17th and 18th instants, both looking to a movement and attack upon. Winchester.

Before I left Martinsburg I was informed of a large increase to Johnston’s command, and the visit to Winchester of the leading members of the Confederate Army. Just before General McDowell was to strike I advanced to Bunker Hill, causing surprise, and, I have since learned, an additional increase of force.

On Tuesday I sent out a reconnoitering party toward Winchester. It drove in the enemy’s pickets, and caused the army to be formed in line of battle, anticipating an attack from my main force. This party found the road barricaded and blocked by fallen trees. The following day I left for this place.

Before marching from Martinsburg I heard of the mutterings of many of the volunteer regiments, and their expressed determination not to serve one hour after their term of service should expire. I anticipated a better expression of opinion as we approached the enemy, and hoped to hear of a willingness to remain.a week or ten days. I was disappointed, and when I prepared for a movement to the front, by an order for the men to carry two days’ provisions in their haversacks, I was assailed by earnest remonstrances against being detained over

‘their time—complaints from officers of want of shoes and other clothing—all throwing obstacles in the way of active operations. Indeed, I found I should, if I took Winchester, be without men, and be forced to retreat, and thus lose the fruits of victory. Under ‘the circumstances neither I nor those on whom I could rely could advance with any confidence. I am, therefore, now here with a force which will be dwindling away very rapidly. I to-day appealed almost in vain to the regiments to stand by the country for a week or ten days. The men are longing for their homes, and nothing can detain them.

I sent Captain Newton to-day to Harper’s Ferry to arrange for defense and re-establish communication with Maryland; also, the Massachusetts regiment. The Third Wisconsin will soon be there. Lieutenant Babcock has been at Sandy Hook several days, trying to get the canal in operation, preparing the entrance to ford, putting in operation a ferry, and reconstructing the bridge. Depots for all supplies will soon be established, and then I shall cause to be turned in the camp equipage, &ec., of the regiments, and to that place I shall withdraw if I find my force’ so small as to render my present position unsafe. I eannot intrench sufficiently to defend this place against a large force.

I shall direct the regiments to be sent to Harrisburg and Philadelphia to be mustered out by Captain Hastings, Major Ruff, and Captain Wharton.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. PATTERSON,
Major-General, Commanding.
Col. E. D. TOWNSEND,
CHARLESTOWN, V. A., July 19, 1861.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL U.S. ARnMy, Washington City :
Almost all the three-months' volunteers refuse to serve an hour
over their term, and except three regiments which will stay ten days
the most of them are without shoes and without pants. I am compelled to send them home, many of them at once. Some go to Harrisburg, some to Philadelphia, one to Indiana, and if not otherwise

Editor's Notes

From: Operations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 1861. Location: CHARLESTOWN, V. A.. Summary: Major-General R. Patterson reports to Col. E. D. Townsend that he has successfully contained General Johnston's superior forces at Winchester through active reconnaissance and threats, despite limited resources and troop morale challenges.

Topics

1861 Civil War Field Reports Military Correspondence Military Operations

Sources

The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 2 View original source ↗