HARPER’S FERRY, July 21, 1861.
Col. E. D. TOWNSEND:
I came here to-day. Yesterday Winchester and this county were abandoned by all armed parties. Johnston left for Millwood, to operate on McDowell’s right and to turn through Loudoun upon me. I could not follow. The only active troops I have are the Second Cavalry, Doubleday’s, Perkins’, Rhode Island Battery, Second Massachusetts, Third Wisconsin (not fully equipped), Fourth Connecticut at Hagerstown, &c., Twelfth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth New York. All others are barefooted. Their term expires in a few days, and I am required by General Orders, No. —, to send them home. Five regiments have gone; four go to-morrow, and so on. The Third Wisconsin will be placed temporarily on the canal, which parties have lately attempted to destroy, and will remain till I am provided with troops for active service. I have ordered the hospital depot, &c., at Hagerstown to be transferred to this place, but if you order me to, you will countermand the order. A large force will be required to defend this place against an active foe. I hear nothing of the Pennsylvania Reserves. Shall I join you with all my effective force, abandoning this place, sending home the three months’ men, and my supplies to Washington?
R. PATTERSON,
Major-General, Commanding.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I, Vol. II. With additions and corrections. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1902.
Spirit of '61 