WASHINGTON, July 7, 1861.
Maj. Gen. R. PATTERSON, U. S. Army, Martinsburg, Va.:
SIR: Besides Colonel Wallace’s regiment, and Colonel Stone’s three regiments and a half, there are now en route, or under orders to join you as soon as practicable, two regiments from Madison, Wis., one regiment (to start to-morrow) from Boston, and four New York regiments from this city; two of the latter went by rail yesterday, and two go to-day. All these regiments are directed to Williamsport, that being the most convenient point in regard to transportation of supplies, &c. General Sandford (a major-general of twenty-five years’ standing), in the best possible spirit, volunteered to go, with two of his most efficient regiments, to assist you. The General-in-Chief desires you to make up for him a suitable command, and to employ him as he desires, for the good of the service. You will find him worthy of your best respect and attentions.
As you were informed by telegraph this morning, Governor Curtin has been requested, with the sanction of the Secretary of War, to order two regiments of State troops to hold Cumberland for the present; which regiments are instructed to obey you or (in an extreme case) any orders they may receive from General McClellan.
The General desires me to add that, waiting for horses, we cannot yet say on what day we shall be able to attack the enemy in the direction of Manassas Junction. We hope, however, to be ready before the end of this week.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. D. TOWNSEND.
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 