Chapter 10

Abstract

At the time Motley left Washington there was no hint, as yet, of his future appointment. He returned to Boston from which place he watched the progress of events until some word from Washington would come. From this vantage point, he noted in July that some “skirmishes” were occurring on the outskirts of Manassas Junction. The Union Army, under General Irvin McDowell, had crossed the Potomac and had made contact with the Confederate Army at Bull Run. The Rebel Army was commanded there by one of the South’s best generals, Beauregard; while the troops in the Northern Army were commanded by a man, who, as Motley put it, was a “good, practical, professional soldier, fully equal to his work.” It was clear that a great battle was soon coming. It was possible, of course, that the Confederates, overawed by the sight of the Union arms, might retreat to Richmond without a shot being fired. But, according to reports, Beauregard had with him at Manassas the flower of the Confederate army, some 60,00 men strong, besides which it was learned the General Johnston had quit Winchester with his Army and was advancing to join Beauregard. McDowell, on the other hand, was being joined by General Patterson with an additional 35,000 men bringing the entire total to about 120,000 Union troops. The stage was being prepared, and the battle was not long in coming. Getting within range of each other, the advance units of the Confederates slowly began to give way until they reached Bull’s Run.