THE GREAT REBELLION: A Reported Fight at Harper’s Ferry; Gen. Patterson’s Reasons for Not Attacking Johnston; The Rebels Again Said to be Marching on Washington (7/26/1861)

Reports having become current that a fight had occurred at Harper's Ferry, a dispatch was sent to the Agent of the Associated Press there, making inquiry into the matter.

The following was received in answer, but contained no signature, and is therefore not entirely credible:

BALTIMORE, Thursday, July 25-10 P.M. We have been unable to obtain anything more about the fight. It is thought it was a mere skirmish with secession cavalry.

GENERAL ORDERS. -- The term for which the troops from Pennsylvania were called into service having expired, and nearly all of them having returned to their homes, the Commanding General, by direction of the War Department, relinquishes command of this Department, on the expiration of their term of service.

The Commanding General regrets to leave you, but it is with satisfaction that you have steadily advanced in the face of the enemy in greatly superior numbers and artillery and offered battle, which they refused, until protected by their strong intrenchments at Winchester.

You have done all that was possible, and more than could have been expected or was demanded, and if advantage has not been taken of your sacrifice, and if the fruits of your campaign have been lost, the fault cannot be imputed to you.

To the members of the Department and Staff, he tenders his thanks for their efficient aid and devotion to duty. R. PATTERSON,

"Gen. JOHNSTON retreated to Winchester, where he had thrown up extensive intrenchments, and had a large number of heavy guns.

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: 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: May 2025.
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/3979046/posts

The Great Rebellion: A Reported Fight at Harper’s Ferry – 2-3
Some Suggestions in regard to Direct Taxation-An Income Tax (Letter to the editor) – 3-4
Editorial: Gen. Scott and the Cabinet-The Duty of the President – 4-5
Editorial: What Next? – 5
The Wrongs of the Volunteers – 5-6
Editorial: Honor and Welcome to the Brave! – 6
Mr. Greeley’s Apology – 6
Editorial: Patterson’s Defence – 6-7
Editorial: Regulars and Volunteers – 7
The American War: The Letter of the London Times’ Special Correspondent* – 7-9

*The print is bad in this article, so here’s a link to NYT archive => https://www.nytimes.com/1861/07/26/archives/the-american-war-the-letters-of-the-london-times-special.html?searchResultPosition=1

So what were Patterson’s politics?

Before the civil war:
“He then resumed his business interests in Pennsylvania, where he acquired 30 cotton mills and became quite wealthy. Patterson became one of the largest mill-owners in the United States and heavily involved in sugar refineries and cotton plantations. He again was an influential figure in Philadelphia politics.”

and...
“In 1861, Winfield Scott, gave Patterson orders to retake Harper’s Ferry. Patterson was hesitant to make the move and his slow action led to him being outmaneuvered in the Battle of Hoke’s Run.”

One of the Union’s big problems at the start of the war was the retention of officers who were either sympathetic to the Southern cause or were not enthusiastic about the war.

For example: In 1864, Lincoln ran against DEMOCRAT General George B. McClellan!

So into what category does Patterson fall?

We know he could fight based on his history in the Mexican American war.

So had he just gotten too rich that he was no longer willing to fight hard?

Or was he a Southern sympathizer, based on his financial properties?

So if Patterson had done his job, Thomas Jackson would not have been able to relocate to Bull Run.

http://www.battleoffallingwaters.com/

“Battle of Falling Waters, July 2, 1861

The Battle of Falling Waters, fought on July 2, 1861, has several names and is frequently confused with an 1863 engagement. However this Civil War battle, the first in the Shenandoah Valley, also called the Battle of Hoke’s Run, and the Battle of Hainesville, contributed to the Confederate victory at the Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) less than three weeks later.

Union General Robert Patterson commanded about 3,500 men, comprised of some regular troops, but mostly 90-day volunteers, whose enlistment’s were about to end. He was under orders to at least pin down a small Confederate division commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston, keeping them from re-enforcing the Southern troops gathering near the town of Manassas outside of Washington, DC.

Colonel Thomas J. Jackson, who commanded a brigade under Johnston, was stationed north of Martinsburg. Upon learning from from his Cavalry screen on the morning of July 2 that Federal troops had crossed the Potomac and were marching south, Jackson ordered the 5th Virginia Regiment, approximately 380 men, and one cannon, north along the Valley Turnpike to meet them.

The two armies met just north of what is now the intersection of Hammond’s Mill Road and Route 11 on the farm of William Rush Porterfield. For about 45 minutes the Virginians fought a delaying action as the Union troops brought up four cannon, and tried to surround the Confederates with their infantry. Substantially outnumbered and outgunned, the Confederates slowly retreated about a mile south, and gradually broke off fighting. There were only a few casualties on either side, although the Confederate Cavalry under Colonel J.E.B. Stuart was able to surprise and capture 49 Union soldiers.

The intensity of the Confederate fighting withdrawal caused the union forces to over estimate the Confederate strength by almost ten fold. So although tactically the Battle of Falling Waters was a Union victory, strategically the Confederates were successful. From this point on, Union General Patterson, would be less aggressive, thinking he was up against a larger Confederate force. This allowed General Johnston, along with Jackson’s Virginians, to slip away and re-enforce the Confederate troops preparing to fight along Bull Run.

Less than three weeks after Falling Waters, on July 21, 1861, the Confederates won an decisive victory at the Battle of Manassas where Jackson received his sobriquet “Stonewall”. The Civil Was then continued on for almost four bloody years. Falling Waters was a small battle with important repercussions. ...”

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