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[232] time General Scott gave him formal assurance that Patterson should keep Johnston so occupied in the Shenandoah Valley that he would find it impossible to go to the assistance of Beauregard; that if he attempted to do so, the forces opposed to him would follow so close that they would reach the banks of Bull Run at the same time. On the 16th, the day fixed for the movement, there was nothing ready to transport the necessary provisions for the army. McDowell was nevertheless obliged to begin his march. He had four divisions with him—the fifth, Runyon's, remaining behind to protect the positions that the army was about to leave. Tyler's division, four brigades strong, was ordered to incline to the right by the Leesburg road, and encamp at Vienna, in order to fall back, by a cross-movement, on Fairfax Court-house the following day; Miles's division was to follow the turnpike as far as Annandale, then to turn to the left into an old road called Braddock Road, because it had been formerly constructed by General Braddock. Hunter followed Miles, Annandale being designated as his first halting-place. Heintzelman, with the strongest division, was directed to proceed by certain cross-roads which, passing south of the line of railway, led to the bank of a stream called Pohick Creek. The soldiers carried three days rations in their haversacks. The supply-trains were to leave Alexandria on the following day, and join the army on the turnpike between Fairfax and Centreville. McDowell's plan was to surprise Bonham's brigade of the enemy stationed at Fairfax by causing it to be attacked on the 17th at the same time by Miles in front and by Hunter in flank. He intended afterwards to make a demonstration by way of Centreville, and lead the bulk of his forces with Heintzelman along the course of Bull Run, below Union Mills, to pass the river at a dash and turn Beauregard's position by the right. The troops started at the appointed time, but the heat was extreme; covered with dust, little accustomed to march and to carry knapsack and musket, too poorly disciplined to remain in the ranks when they felt fatigued or came upon some fresh spring of water, the soldiers soon spread themselves upon the roads in long columns, in which the regiments were confounded,
Philadelphia, Jos. H. Coates and co., 1876.
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