[Homer_J_Simpson]

A couple days late, here's the July 18 situation map from the West Point Civil War Atlas.

[Pikachu_Dad]

Curious - the website claims different numbers
UNION. 28,450
CONFED. 32,230

The map claims McDowell has 35,000.
- so where are the missing 6,550 Union

The 20,000 + 9,000 +3,000 = 32,000 Confederate troops match

[Pikachu_Dad]

Looks like Johnston’s initiative saved the day for the confederates.

“ Meanwhile, Scott in Washington warned Patterson, “Do not let the enemy amuse and delay you with a small force in front whilst he re-enforces the Junction with his main body.” When he received intelligence that Johnston had given Patterson the slip, Scott sent a second wire hoping “to hear that you had felt him strongly, or, at least, had occupied him by threats and demonstrations… Has he not stolen a march and sent re-enforcements toward Manassas Junction?”

Patterson sent an irritated response: “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…” By the time Patterson sent this telegram, the bulk of Johnston’s army was already on its way east.”

https://civilwarmonths.com/2021/07/18/johnston-steals-a-march/