John G. Nicolay, The Outbreak of Rebellion

[156] three months troops could not be used in distant undertakings. Here, however, was a worthy enterprise at the very threshold of Pennsylvania, which, successfully prosecuted, would protect Maryland, relieve the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, encourage Virginia Unionists, and recover lost prestige. Patriotic pride, political security, and military advantage seemed, to the minds of both Patterson and Scott, to present combined reasons for an early recapture of Harper's Ferry.

For this purpose, Patterson, about the first of June, concentrated his available troops at Chambersburg, Pa., and on the third of that month issued an address to the regiments under his command, announcing that “you will soon meet the insurgents.” Orders from General Scott, however, held him back until strong reinforcements could be sent, and an important diversion organized to aid him; and while thus assisting, the General also admonished him to every prudence, reminding him that his expedition was “well projected, and that success in it would be an important step in the war; but, there must be no reverse.”

With the increase of his force, and a closer survey of his task, Patterson's own estimate of his enterprise grew in magnitude. “Remember, I beseech you,” he wrote to the Secretary of War, under date of June 10th, “that Harper's Ferry is (as I have said from the first) the place where the first great battle will be fought, and the result will be decisive of the future. The insurgents are strongly intrenched, have an immense number of guns, and will contest every inch of ground. .... The importance of a victory at Harper's Ferry cannot be estimated. I cannot sleep for thinking about it . I beseech you, therefore, by our ancient friendship, give me the means of success. You have the means; place them at my disposal, and shoot me if I do not use them to advantage.”