Opis: Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War in Three Parts, 1863 (Classic Reprint) - War United States; Congress; Joint Comm

Excerpt from Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War in Three Parts, 1863

He asked that a certain number of troops be given him to operate against the force which it was estimated that Beauregard had under his command. He was assured that the enemy below should be kept occupied by General Butler, who was in command at Fortress Monroe; and that the enemy under Johnston, in the Winchester valley, should be held there by General Patterson. Some days before the battle, upon expressing some fears in regard to the force under Johnston being detained by Patterson, he was assured by General Scott that "if Johnston joined Beauregard, he should have Patterson on his heels."

The movement did not commence until the 16th of July, a week later than the time first decided upon. The transportation was deficient, and General McDowell had to depend upon others to see that supplies were forwarded to him in time. The march was slow, one reason being that, since the affair at Vienna, near Alexandria, and at Big Bethel, near Fortress Monroe, a fear of masked batteries caused hesitation in regard to advancing upon points concerning which there was a want of information. There was some delay, on the march, in consequence of the want of complete discipline among some of the troops. They were not sufficiently under control of officers to be prevented from leaving the ranks and straggling.

The affair at Blackburn's Ford, on Thursday, the 18th, being more extensive than General McDowell had ordered, drew the attention of the enemy to that point; and, in consequence of the preparations they made there to meet any at tempt of General McDowell to turn their position in that direction, it became necessary to adopt another line of operations. General McDowell determined to make the attempt to turn their right, and steps were taken to secure the necessary information. It was not until Saturday that the information which General McDowell desired was obtained.

He then issued orders for the troops to move the next morning, the 21 st, some at two o'clock and some at half-past two. The division of General Tyler was in the advance, and was ordered to proceed directly out to Stone Bridge, and take up position there. General Hunters and General Heiutzelman's divisions were to follow, and when they reached a road leading to the right, about a mile in advance of General Tyler's camp, they were to turn off and proceed in the direction of Sudley's Church, and endeavor to turn the enemy's left. The movement to the right was intended to be made under cover of General Tyler's force at Stone Bridge.

But there was much delay in the movements of the troops that morning. Tyler's division did not pass the point, where Hunter's and Heintzelman's divisions were to turn off, until after the time designated. Some of the troops were delayed for three hours, affording time to the enemy to discover the movement and make preparations to meet it.

Notwithstanding these disadvantages, our forces were successful during the fore part of the day, although Beauregard had been re-enforced by some of Johnston's forces from Winchester. Our troops were very much fatigued. The day was exceedingly warm; the roads were dusty; and they had been some hours longer on the march than had been anticipated. In the afternoon additional reenforcements arrived from Johnston's army, and suddenly attacked our right and threw it into disorder.

About the same time two of our batteries (Ricketts's and Griffins) were captured by the enemy, and our entire force began to fall back in great con fusion. In regard to the capture of the batteries, it appears by the testimony that they were ordered to take an advanced and exposed position, and were not sufficiently supported. Not long after they were placed in position, a rebel regiment appeared in their immediate vicinity. Captain Griffin states that he took them to be rebels from the first, and

Szczegóły: Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War in Three Parts, 1863 (Classic Reprint) - War United States; Congress; Joint Comm

Nazwa: Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War in Three Parts, 1863 (Classic Reprint)
Autor: War United States; Congress; Joint Comm
Wydawnictwo: FB &c Ltd
Kod paskowy: 9781331004264
Języki: angielski
Ilość stron: 518
Format: 15.2x22.9cm
Oprawa: Miękka

Recenzje: Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War in Three Parts, 1863 (Classic Reprint) - War United States; Congress; Joint Comm