Volume II Part 9 (1/2)
Two statements of the strength of our army under General J. E.
Johnston during the month of May--in which General McClellan testified that he was greatly in need of McDowell's corps--give the following results: First, the official return, 21st May, 1862, total effective of all arms, 53,688; subsequently, five brigades were added, and the effective strength of the army under General Johnston on May 31, 1862, was 62,696.[38]
I now proceed to inquire what caused the panic at Was.h.i.+ngton.
On May 23d, General Jackson, with whose force that of General Ewell had united, moved with such rapidity as to surprise the enemy, and Ewell, who was in advance, captured most of the troops at Front Royal, and pressed directly on to Winchester, while Jackson, turning across to the road from Strasburg, struck the main column of the enemy in flank and drove it routed back to Strasburg. The pursuit was continued to Winchester, and the enemy, under their commander-in-chief, General Banks, fled across the Potomac into Maryland. Two thousand prisoners were taken in the pursuit. General Banks in his report says, ”There never were more grateful hearts in the same number of men, than when, at mid-day on the 26th, we stood on the opposite sh.o.r.e.”
When the news of the attack on Front Royal, on May 23d, reached General Geary, charged with the protection of the Mana.s.sas Gap Railroad, he immediately moved to Mana.s.sas Junction. At the same time, his troops, hearing the most extravagant stories, burned their tents and destroyed a quant.i.ty of arms. General Duryea, at Catlett's Station, becoming alarmed on hearing of the withdrawal of Geary, took his three New York regiments, leaving a Pennsylvania one behind, hastened back to Centreville, and telegraphed to Was.h.i.+ngton for aid.
He left behind a large quant.i.ty of army stores. The alarm spread to Was.h.i.+ngton, and the Secretary of War, Stanton, issued a call to the Governors of the ”loyal” States for militia to defend that city.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Lieutenant-General T. J. Jackson.]
The following is the dispatch sent to the Governor of Ma.s.sachusetts:
”WAs.h.i.+NGTON, _Sunday, May 25, 1862._
”_To the Governor of Ma.s.sachusetts._
”Intelligence from various quarters leaves no doubt that the enemy in great force are marching on Was.h.i.+ngton. You will please organize and forward immediately all the militia and volunteer force in your State.
”EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War_.”
This alarm at Was.h.i.+ngton, and the call for more troops for its defense, produced a most indescribable panic in the cities of the Northern States on Sunday the 25th, and two or three days afterward.
The Governor of New York on Sunday night telegraphed to Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and other cities, as follows:
”Orders from Was.h.i.+ngton render it necessary to send to that city all the available militia force. What can you do?
”E. D. MORGAN.”
Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, issued the following order:
”(GENERAL ORDER, No. 23.)
”HEADQUARTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA,
”Harrisburg, _May 26, 1862._
”On pressing requisition of the President of the United States in the present emergency, it is ordered that the several major-generals, brigadier-generals, and colonels of regiments throughout the Commonwealth muster without delay all military organizations within their respective divisions or under their control, together with all persons willing to join their commands, and proceed forthwith to the city of Was.h.i.+ngton, or such other points as may be designated by future orders. By order:
”A. G. CURTIN,
”_Governor and Commander-in-Chief._”
The Governor of Ma.s.sachusetts issued the following proclamation:
”_Men of Ma.s.sachusetts!_
”The wily and barbarous horde of traitors to the people, to the Government, to our country, and to liberty, menace again the national capital. They have attacked and routed Major-General Banks, are advancing on Harper's Ferry, and are marching on Was.h.i.+ngton. The President calls on Ma.s.sachusetts to rise once more for its rescue and defense.
”The whole active militia will be summoned by a general order, issued from the office of the adjutant-general, to report on Boston Common to-morrow. They will march to relieve and avenge their brethren and friends, and to oppose, with fierce zeal and courageous patriotism, the progress of the foe. May G.o.d encourage their hearts and strengthen their arms, and may he inspire the Government and all the people!