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MCDOWELL’S ADVANCE TO BULL RUN.
SUDLEY SPRINGS FORD, LOOKING NORTH. FROM A SKETCH MADE IN 1884.
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Tliis stream is the Cat Harpin Run, -which empties munition wagons. The retreat, also, was largely byinto Bull Run a short distance below the Sudley Springs this forcl. The ruins of the Sudley Sulphur SpringFord. In making the flank movement the Union troops, House are shown on the left. The Sudley church,under Generals Hunter and Heintzelman, crossed this which was the main hospital after the fight, is a shortford, followed later in the day by the ambulances and distance south.— Editors.
about noon on the 21st. Although the enforced delay at Centreville enabledMcDowell to provision his troops and gain information upon which to basean excellent plan of attack, it proved fatal by affording time for a junction ofthe opposing forces. On the 21st of July General Scott addressed a dispatchto McDowell, saying: “ It is known that a strong reenforeement left Winches-ter on the afternoon of the 18th, which you will also have to beat. Four newregiments will leave to-day to be at Fairfax Station to-night. Others shallfollow to-morrow — twice the number if necessary.” When this dispatch waspenned, McDowell was fighting the “strong reenforcement” which leftWinchester on the 18th. General Scott’s report that Beauregard had beenreenforced, the information that four regiments had been sent to McDowell,and the promise that twice the number would be sent if necessary, all cametoo late — and Patterson came not at all. |
t On the 17th of July Patterson, with some16,000 three-months men, whose terms began toexpire on the 24th, was at Charlestown, and John-ston, with about the same number, was at Winches-ter. On that day General Scott telegraphedPatterson, “ McDowell’s first day’s work has driventhe enemy behind Fairfax Court House. Do notlet the enemy amuse and delay you with a smallforce in front while he reenforces the Junction withhis main body.” To this Patterson replied at half-
past 1 o’clock in the morning of the 18th, statinghis difficulties and asking, “ Shall I attack ?” Gen-eral Scott answered on the same day: “ I havecertainly been expecting you to beat the enemy,”or that you “ at least had occupied him by threatsand demonstrations. You have been at least hisequal and I suppose superior in numbers. Has henot stolen a march and sent reinforcements towardManassas Junction?” Patterson replied on thesame day (18th), “ The enemy has stolen no march