Summary:
Union Assistant Adjutant E. D. Townsend writes in June, 1861, to General Robert
Patterson, commanding at Chambersburg, with instructions and information
concerning his planned advance toward Harper's Ferry.
Maj.-Gen. PATTERSON, U. S. A.,
Commanding,
&c., Chambersburg, Pa.:
WASHINGTON,
June 13, 1861.
SIR:
The Gen.-in-Chief directs me to say that on the supposition you will cross the river Monday or Tuesday next (17th or 18th), Brig.-Gen. McDowell will be instructed to make a demonstration from Alexandria in the direction of Manassas Junction one or two days before. The General does not wish you to hasten, but keep him informed, so that Gen. McDowell may properly time his movement.
Col. Stone is advancing on Edwards Ferry and towards Leesburg, to intercept supplies and be governed by circumstances. If he finds means to communicate with you, and it is expedient to effect a junction with you, he has instructions to do so. The Gen. has sent a man (William Johnston) to endeavor to pass through Harper's Ferry, and then to join you and give you useful information. It is hoped the facilities he seemed to possess will make his mission successful.
I have the honor, &c.,
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
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 680, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
