THE GREAT INSURRECTION: A Desperate Encounter at Piedmont; Forty Union Men Engaged Against Four Thousand Rebels; ADVANCE OF GEN. McDOWELL (6/21/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 6/21/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Thursday, June 20.

The entire army of invasion was set in motion this morning by a rumor that the rebels were extending their lines and advancing within reaching distances of our own outposts. The Sixty-ninth was early in the day advanced to Ball's Cross Roads. The battery of the Eighth was placed so as to cover the four roads diverging at that point. The Twenty-eighth was moved up to support the Sixty-ninth. The Ohio Regiments were in position in advance of the Sixty-ninth, and the Connecticut Regiment occupied the point at the junction of the Leesburgh Turnpike with the road leading to the Acqueduct Bridge. Capt. TOMPKINS, with his Cavalry, was at Falls Church.

The regiments on this side were ordered to be in readiness to march at five minutes notice, and to start on an understood signal being given. In their respective positions the regiments remained until late in the afternoon, and then the Sixty-ninth, the Twenty eighth and the Thirteenth Volunteers fell back to the positions they had occupied in the morning, it having been understood that there was no cause for expecting an attack of the rebels in force.

It is almost unnecessary to say that our men. manifested coolness and courage under the prospect of an attack of the main body of the rebel force. At reveille this morning thirty-five men were in the Hospital, of the Twelfth.

In the course of his scouting this morning, Capt. TOMPKIN's found a lady named PERKINS, who had a pass signed by BEAUREGARD, and dated at Fairfax Court-house. This would indicate that the General in command of the rebels forces was among his advanced guards.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3969408/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Great Insurrection: Important News from Western Virginia – 2
From the Virginia Side of the Potomac: The Disaster at Vienna – 2
Advance of Gen. McDowell – 2-3
Movements of the Rebels – 3
Battle Expected at Cairo – 3
Forty Union Men Defeated by Four Thousand Rebels – 3
Movements of Gen. McClellan – 3
The London Times Correspondence: Letters from Mr. William Russell on his Travels through the South – 3-6
Editorial: Defeat of the Rebels in England – 6-7
Editorial: Beware of a Surprise! – 7
Editorial: Cheating Among Gentlemen – 8
Our Battle a Day – 8
No Prejudice against Color – 8
Feminine Agility – 8
Supposed Murder of a Woman – 8
A Brewer Suffocated in a Vat – 8

[RWGinger]

It was fascinating to read a Union soldier came across a Southern lady with a signed pass from Bureaugard.
Wonder what she was doing.

[myerson]

June 21, 1861, that’s 1st Bull Run, isn’t it?

[RWGinger]

Actually Manassas was July 16

[Homer_J_Simpson]

July 21.