HAGERSTOWN, MD., June 28, 1861.
Col. E. D. TOWNSEND,
Asst. Adjt. Gen. U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:
COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a telegram from the General-in-Chief, dated 27th instant, saying: “I had expected your crossing the river to-day in pursuit of the enemy.” I infer from this that orders have been sent me to cross and attack the enemy; if so, I have not received them.
Captain Newton, of the Engineers, returned at midnight, after two days’ absence in the direction of Sharpsburg and Dam No. 4, and reports, on information he considers reliable, 5,000 men from Falling Waters to Dam No. 4; 4,500 in the vicinity of Shepherdstown, under General Jackson, and a reserve of 5,500 men under General Johnston near Bunker Hill. He also reports twenty to twenty-four guns and a large cavalry force with General Jackson, and thinks that General Negley, whose brigade is on my left, near Sharpsburg, will be attacked—the river being fordable at almost every point. To meet the possible force of 15-16,000 men, with twenty-two guns, and nearly 1,000 cavalry, I have about 10,000 volunteer infantry, and 650 cavalry and artillery, the latter being merely recruits. The horses are untrained and we are still without harness for the batteries.
I have repeatedly asked for batteries, and ought to have one for each brigade, but have none. The only one fit for service seems to have been the Rhode Island Battery, and that the General-in-Chief was compelled, by the necessities of his own position, to take from me when most wanted, and within a week of joint field. I have neither cavalry nor artillery sufficient to defend the fords of the river between Harper’s Ferry and flanock, but I would much rather attack them, and would have far more confidence in the result. While I will not, on my own responsibility attack, without artillery, a superior force, I will do so cheerfully and promptly if the General-in-Chief will give me an explicit order to that effect.
To insure success, I respectfully, but earnestly, request that the troops taken from me when Washington was menaced be sent to me with all speed, with a number of field guns equal to those of the insurgents. I will then be enabled to choose my point of attack, offer the battle on my enemy, and, I trust, drive them before me, clearing the valley in front, and taking such positions as the General-in-Chief may indicate.
I respectfully suggest that Colonel Stone’s column should be sent, with the re-enforcements, and that to avoid the detour over the turnpike, which is a long road, it be ordered to join me at Harper’s Ferry. I am reinforcing arrangements for crossing the river, and will be able to do so without waiting for orders or re-enforcements, if I find that the strength of the enemy has been overrated.
I beg to remind the General-in-Chief that the period of service of nearly all the troops here will expire within a month, and that if we do not meet the enemy with them, we will be in no condition to do so for three months to come. The new regiments will not be fit for service before September, if then, and meantime this whole front will be widely exposed.
I have laid before you in as good condition as I could expect in two or three days. Officers and men are anxious to be led against the insurgents, and if the General-in-Chief will give me a regiment of regulars and a couple more field batteries, or cavalry, I will cross the river as soon as the remaining forces of their are ascertained to be insufficient to attack me.
I beg leave to add to the General-in-Chief my sincere desire to sustain him throughout this whole period, by the efforts and resources at my command, the success of our general plan of operations.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
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 