RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FIRST BULL RUN.

242

Describing the events which immediately preceded the battle of Manassas ,Mr. Davis says (“ Rise and Fall,” I., 340):

“The forces there assembled [in Virginia ] were divided into three armies, at positions themost important and threatened ; one, under General J. E. Johnston, at Harper’s Ferry , cover-ing the valley of the Shenandoah. . . . Harper’s Ferry was an important position both formilitary and political considerations. . . . The demonstrations of General Patterson, com-manding the Federal army in that region, caused General Johnston earnestly to insist onbeing allowed to retire to a position nearer to Winchester.”

Harper’s Ferry is 22 miles east of the route into the Shenandoah Valley,and could be held only by an army strong enough to drive an enemy fromthe heights north and east of it. So it is anything but an importantposition. These objections were expressed to the Glovernment two days aftermy arrival, and I suggested the being permitted to move the troops as mightbe necessary. All this before Patterson had advanced from Chambersburg .

On page 341, “ R. and F.,” Mr. Davis quotes from an official letter to mefrom General Cooper, dated June 13th, 1861, which began thus:

“ The opinions expressed by Major Whiting in his letter to you, and on which you haveindorsed your concurrence, have been duly considered. You had been heretofore instructedto exercise your discretion as to retiring from your position at Harper’s Ferry .” J,

This latter statement is incorrect. No such instructions had been given.The last instructions on the subject received by me were in General Lee ’sletter of June 7th. | On page 341 Mr. Davis says:

“ The temporary occupation [of Harper’s Ferry ] was especially needful for the removal ofthe valuable machinery and material in the armory located there.”

The removal of the machinery was not an object referred to in GeneralCooper’s letter. But the presence of our army anywhere in the Valley withina day’s march of the position, would have protected that removal. Thatletter (page 341) was received two days after the army left Harper’s Ferry to meet General McClellan ’s troops, believed by intelligent people of Win-chester to be approaching from the west.

On page 345 Mr. Davis says it was a difficult problem to know which army,whether Beauregard’s at Manassas or Johnston’s in the Valley, should bereenforced by the other, because these generals were “ each asking reenforce-ments from the other.” All that was written by me on the subject is in theletter (page 345) dated July 9th:

“ I have not asked for reenforcements because I supposed that the War Department ,informed of the state of affairs everywhere, could best judge where the troops at its disposal

& This letter of Major Whiting to General John- per’s Ferry giving him permission to use his dis-ston, and General Johnston’s letter (probably re- eretion which is to be found in the Official Records,ferred to as the indorsement), are both dated May is the one of June 7th from General Lee , in which28th, 1861. The phrase of General Cooper, “You he says : “It is hoped that you will be able to behad been heretofore instructed,” should have read timely informed of the approach of troops againsteither, “You had been theretofore [before May you, and retire, provided they cannot be success-28th] instructed,” or, “ You have been heretofore fully opposed. You must exercise your discretion[before June 13th] instructed.” The latter is and judgment in this respect.”— Editors.probably what was meant, as the only letter of

instructions to General Johnston received at Har- j. “ Official Records,” II., 910.