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[17]

Chapter 1: effect of the battle of Bull's Run.--reorganization of the Army of the Potomac.--Congress, and the council of the conspirators.--East Tennessee.

  • Effect of the battle of Bull's Run, page 17.
    • -- the story in both sections -- scenes in Richmond and in Washington -- a sad picture, 18. -- the story in Europe -- hopes and predictions of the ruling classes there -- relative position of the combatants, 19. -- another uprising of the people -- the exultation of the Confederates -- the “United South,” how formed, 20. -- sufferings of Southern Unionists -- the Confederate -- Army immovable -- Jefferson Davis a Marplot, 21. -- why the Confederate Army was immovable -- alarm of the conspirators, 22. -- General McClellan at the head of the Army of the Potomac -- reorganization of that Army, 23. -- the defenses of Washington, 24. -- purchase of arms for the Government -- domestic Manufactures of arms, 25. -- prisoners taken at Bull's Run, in Richmond -- tobacco Warehouse prison and commissary Winder, 26.--“Richmond prison Association” -- kind women in Richmond, 27. -- object of the War declared by Congress -- measures for crushing the rebellion opposed, 28 -- Thaddeus Stevens's warnings -- peace proposition, 29. -- a National Loan authorized, 30. -- appeal of the Secretary of the Treasury, and the response -- the Provisional Congress of the conspirators, 31. -- Jefferson Davis's Misstatements, 32. -- determination of Davis and his fellow -- conspirators to wage War vigorously -- confiscations, 33. -- protection of pirates -- Davis's so-called “Departments,” and their heads, 34. -- persecution of Union men, 35. -- outrages in East Tennessee, 36. -- Brownlow and other Loyalists hunted -- blood -- Hounds, 37. -- Unionists in prison -- brutal order of Judah P. Benjamin, 38. -- Brownlow's defiance -- his release, 39. -- writs of garnishment -- denunciations by Pettigru, 40. -- Pettigru's Actions reviewed, 41.

The Battle of Bull's Run, so disastrous to the National Arms, and yet so little profitable, as a military event, to the Confederates, was in it immediate effects a profound enigma to the people of the whole country. They could not understand it. The Confederates held the field, yet. they did not seek profit from the panic and flight of their opponents, by a pursuit. The Nationals. were beaten and dispersed; yet, after the first paralysis of defeat, they instantly recovered their faith and elasticity. There had been marches, and bivouacs, and skirmishes, and a fierce battle, within the space of a week; and at the end of twenty-four hours, after the close of the conflict, the respective parties in the contest were occupying almost the same geographical position which they did before the stout encounter.

The people at home, in both sections, were excited by the wildest tales of overwhelming defeat and disgrace on one side, and the most complete and advantageous victory on the other. It was said, and believed, that fifteen thousand Confederates had easily and utterly routed and dispersed thirty-five thousand National troops,1 and smitten, beyond hope of recovery,

1 See Jefferson Davis's dispatch to the “Confederate Congress,” volume I., page 603. On the 28th of July, Generals Johnston and Beauregard issued a joint address to their soldiers, which was full of exultation. “One week ago,” they said, “a countless host of men, organized into an army, with all the appointments which modern art and practiced skill could devise, invaded the soil of Virginia. Their people sounded their approach with triumph and displays of anticipated victory. Their generals came in almost regal state. Their Ministers, Senators, and women came to witness the immolation of this army, and the subjugation of our people, and to celebrate them with wild revelry.” After speaking of the battles, the capture of nearly every thing belonging to the National army, “together with thousands of prisoners,” they said, “Thus the Northern hosts were driven by you from Virginia. . . . We congratulate you on an event which insures the liberty of our country. We congratulate every man of you whose privilege it was to participate in this triumph of courage and truth, to fight in the battle of Manassas. You have created an epoch in the history of liberty, and unborn nations will rise up and call you blessed. Continue this noble devotion, looking always to the protection of a just God, and, before time grows much older, we will be hailed as the deliverers of a nation of ten millions of people. Comrades, our brothers who have fallen have earned undying renown, and their blood, shed in our holy cause, is a precious and acceptable sacrifice to the Father of truth and right. Their graves are beside the tomb of Washington; their spirits have joined his in eternal commune.”

Jefferson Davis addressed the people on his arrival at Richmond, on the evening of the 28d, and boldly declared that his troops had captured “every thing the enemy had in the field,” including “provisions enough to feed an army of 50,000 men for twelve months.” --Richmond papers, July 24. Davis's exaggeration is made plain by the statement that it would require more than 12,000 wagons to transport that amount of food.

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