John G. Nicolay, The Outbreak of Rebellion

[161] “The position of Harper's Ferry, as has been heretofore stated, is deemed valuable because of its relation to Maryland and as the entrance to the Valley of Virginia, the possession of which by the enemy will separate the eastern and western sections of the State from each other, deprive us of the agricultural resources of that fertile region, and bring in its train political consequences which it is well believed you cannot contemplate without the most painful emotions.” With Patterson on the point of moving against him, however, Johnston allowed political consequences to take care of themselves, destroyed Harper's Ferry on June 13th and 14th, and retired even before his permission was received. “We are twelve miles in advance of Winchester,” he reported on the 17th; “my only hope from this movement is a slight delay in the enemy's advance. I believe his force to be about eighteen thousand; ours is six thousand five hundred.” Patterson admits that he had seventeen regiments — a force fully capable of the brilliant and important blow he had been ambitious to strike, but which he had neither the skill nor courage to direct.

The succeeding two weeks furnish no incidents worthy of note in this connection. Practically the two armies remained in observation, inactive, and without definite plans. When General Scott withdrew the temporary reinforcements he had given Patterson to enable him to fight a battle, the latter once more retired to the north bank of the Potomac. For the moment military attention was directed elsewhere. McClellan was preparing his campaign in West Virginia; McDowell was strengthening the Federal occupation of Arlington Heights and Alexandria; the President and General Scott were deliberating upon possible operations against Manassas. In this interim Johnston remained in camp about Winchester, pushing his picket-line close up