Unknown to Irvin McDowell, July 21, 1861
July 21, 1861.
: July 21, 1861â9 p. m. General McDOWELL, Centreville : Besides three regiments sent you by General Runyon from the reserve, four regiments have crossed the river to-day. Two of the latter we know have reached Fairfax Station. The other two must be there in a few minutes. Wesuppose you to have rallied your army at Centreville, or, at the worst, you will rally at Fairfax Court-House and Fairfax Station. We know that you and your experienced officers will do all that is proper and possible. A company of regulars has also gone over. Additional re-enforcements shall follow early to-morrow. We are not
discouraged. WINFIELD SCOTT.
FAIRFAX, July 21, 1861. General MCDOWELL:
I have learned from my scouts that large trees are felled across the turnpike on road from here to Alexandria. Things are looking ugly
FAIRFAX CouRT-HovSE, July 21, 1861â9.10 p. m. Col. E. D. TOWNSEND : We are reliably informed that the enemyâs cavalry will attack us on the left to-night. Send instructions. D. A. WOODBURY, Colonel, Commanding [Fourth Michigan Infantry].
FAamrFAX STATION, July 21, 1861â11.5.
Lieutenant-General Scott:
Orders have arrived that no more regiments are to come here from Alexandria to-night.
I have placed myself in best position. Have removed obstructions of slide from railroad track.
1 have no communication from General McDowell.
I am guarding the roads lest a surprise.
Colonel Woodbury telegraphed me that he expects an attack from cavalry. What shall I do?
Thirty-Seventh New York Volunteers.
WASHINGTON, July 21, 1861â11.45 p. m. Colonel McCunn, Fairfax Station :
General McDowell is at Fairfax Court-House, where he will try te make a stand. Communicate with him there, and also let Colonel
Woodbury know. WINFIELD SCOTT.
: _ WASHINGTON, July 21, 1861â[8 p. m.]. Major-General McCLELLAN, U.S. A.:
McDowell has been checked. Come down to the Shenandoah Valley with such troops as can be spared from Western Virginia, and make head against the enemy in that quarter. Banks and Dix will remain at Baltimore, which is liable to revolt.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY, Washington, July 21, 1861. Col. StckLES, Staten Island, N. Y.:
Send your regiments to this city instead of Harperâs Ferry, and hurry them. WINFIELD SCOTT.
ALEXANDRIA, July 21, 1861. Lieutenant-General Scorr:
General McDowell directs me to ask whether I shall send the troops out of the fortifications ? T. RUNYON.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY, July 21, 1861. General Runyon, Alexandria, Va. :
Send forward no more troops from Alexandria during the night. WINFIELD SCOTT.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY, Washington, July 21, 1861. General Runyon, Alexandria:
Let the two New Jersey regiments remain at Fairfax Station, as General McDowell must know they are there, and will call them up if he needs them.
The brig-of-war Perry will be towed down to Alexandria for any assistance she can render with her battery.
[JULY 21, 1861.] Hon. A. G. Curtin, Harrisburg: Get your regiments at Harrisburg, Easton, and other points ready â for immediate shipment. Lose no time preparing. Make things move to the utmost. THOMAS A. SCOTT.
Under no circumstances let this message be made public. THOMAS A. SCOTT.
JULY 21, 1861. Governor CuRTIN, Harrisburg: Forward all you can to-night. Transportation will be provided by Northern Central Company.
Press forward all available forces. THOMAS A. SCOTT.
[JULY 21, 1861.] Governor CURTIN:
Do not lose a moment in sending Wisconsin and your own regiments. Start them before daylight in the morning. THOMAS A. SCOTT.
HARRISBURG, July 21, 1861. T. A. S. [Col. T. A. Scort]:
One regiment left for Washington noon; one from Pittsburgh and one from West Chester have just arrived; one from Pittsburgh and two from Easton will arrive to-morrow; the others as rapidly as can be transported to and from this place.
The three-monthsâ regiments are arriving here without being announced or any preparation for them.
Du Barry seems hardly to know what to do.
Our men justly complain of their armsâthose that came and those we send here. They complain the more, as a Wisconsin regiment refused to take the same kind of arms, and the colonel went to Washington, and was given the best modern arms.
Will you not use your influence to get better arms for these threeyearsâ men ? : A. G. CURTIN, Governor.
JULY 21, 1861. General MCDOWELL:
Do you want re-enforcements at Fairfax Court-House? There are three regiments at Fairfax Station on the railroad, within three miles of you; and we have another regiment loaded on cars at Springfield Station, which can reach you in three hours, if you say send them.
We also have a regiment at the railroad station in Alexandria, which can reach Fairfax Court: House in four hours.
Give instructions immediately. THOMAS A. SCOTT.
Sam. D. Youne: If any troops or regiments are on the Cumberland Valley on their way to Hagerstown, tell Lull to stop them at first station, and return them
war. 1X,] _ CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.âUNION. 151
+o Baltimore without transshipment. This is the wish of Commander-inChief. Keep this information quiet. Ascertain and report movements. You will also aid with cars and other facilities, if necessary, at Harrisburg to forward troops to Washington. THOMAS A. SCOTT.
Under no circumstances let this message be made public.