Reception of the News from Manassas — how the troops regard Gen. Patterson.
Harper's Ferry, Wednesday, July 24, 1861.
The army under Gen. Patterson came to camp in this place on Sunday, A. M. The men are now impatient, and well-nigh demoralized.
The news of the battle near Washington came to camp last night, and the effect was most disheartening.
The result of that disaster is attributed to our division of the army.
At Charlestown we were within four miles of Johnston, as he passed.
News of his movement to join Beauregard at the Junction was carried to Gen. Patterson, but he took no notice of it, and
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allowed the transferment.
All sorts of things are said of him.
He passed along the lines yesterday, and heard the opinion of the troops.
They assaulted him with all sorts of epithets.
“Go home, you old coward,” “Duck him,” “Hang him,” “Throw him into the river,” “He's an old secessionist,” “Shoot him” --these and other shouts fell on his ear. He stopped in front of the Rhode Island troops, faced them, and rose in his stirrups as if to defy them.
But if the thought was to intimidate them, it was in vain.
The men called out the louder, and he passed on.--N. Y. Times.