Summary:
In June, 1861, Union General Robert Patterson, commanding the Department of
Pennsylvania, prepared to advance on Confederate-held Harper's Ferry. Patterson
discusses his plans to gather his forces at Chambersburg before moving. He also
mentions the locations and status of some of his regiments.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA,
Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., U. S. Army:
Philadelphia, Pa.,
June 1, 1861.
SIR:
I have the honor to state, for the information of the Gen.-in-Chief, in reply to his telegram of this date, calling for a report of my intended operations, that, though looking to Cumberland, my plans have been mainly directed to turning Harper's Ferry, throwing across the river near Williamsport ample force (with support following and threatening Shepherdstown) to push on and occupy Martinsburg, if I do not find the enemy too strong and moving to cut my line of march. His attitude and strength will then determine the course to be pursued, either to move direct upon him through Shepherdstown or to cut off his retreat along the Winchester Railroad and to harass his rear. I wish to place such a force on the Virginia shore as can hold every inch of ground gained, and, however slowly, to advance securely, after Harper's Ferry falls, upon Winchester.
The effective force now in Chambersburg is five companies of cavalry(four regular and one volunteer) and six infantry regiments, and four not accoutered. At York and Lancaster two regiments each, not accoutered. These will be at once collected in Chambersburg. A regiment at New Castle and one at Baltimore will soon follow. The troops in New York Harbor are ordered on.
I shall to-morrow evening be in Chambersburg, and shall lose no time to complete arrangements and sent forward the command, as indicated in my letter to Maj.-Gen. Keim, a copy of which is inclosed. All the troops are anxious to be on the move and to see their foe-a desire which shall soon be gratified. I will inform you when I shall move in time to permit the Gen.-in-Chief to make the demonstration indicated.
I am much gratified to know the Gen.-in-Chief will provide some artillery.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. PATTERSON,
Maj.-Gen., Commanding.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 2, Serial No. 2, Pages 657-658, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
