. From Manassas to Appomattox : memoirs of the Civil War in America . he advance from Wash-ington took definite shape, and arrived as a supportingbrigade to his right on the 19th of July. At the same timeorders were sent authorizing Johnstons withdrawal fromthe Valley, to join with Beauregard for the approachingconflict. The use of these contingents was duly consid-ered by both sides some days before the campaign was puton foot. Opposing Johnston in the Valley was General RobertPatterson, of Philadelphia, a veteran of the war of 1812and of the Mexican War, especially distinguished in thelatter
. From Manassas to Appomattox : memoirs of the Civil War in America . he advance from Wash-ington took definite shape, and arrived as a supportingbrigade to his right on the 19th of July. At the same timeorders were sent authorizing Johnstons withdrawal fromthe Valley, to join with Beauregard for the approachingconflict. The use of these contingents was duly consid-ered by both sides some days before the campaign was puton foot. Opposing Johnston in the Valley was General RobertPatterson, of Philadelphia, a veteran of the war of 1812and of the Mexican War, especially distinguished in thelatter by the prestige of the former service. Johnstonwas a veteran of the Mexican War, who had won distinc-tion by progressive service and was well equipped in thescience of war. Beauregard and McDowell were alsoveterans of the Mexican War, of staff service, and dis-tinguished for intelligent action and attainments, bothremarkable for physical as well as mental power. Between Johnston and Beauregard the Blue Ridgestretched out from the Potomac southwest far below the 42. BATTLE OF MANASSAS, OR BULL RUN. 43 southern line of Virginia, cut occasionally by narrowpasses, quite defensible by small bodies of infantry andartillery. Patterson was ordered to hold Johnston in theValley, while McDowell should direct his strength againstBeauregard. McDowell seems to have accepted that orderas not only possible, but sure of success, while the Con-federates viewed the question from the other side, in areverse light, and, as will presently apj^ear, with betterjudgment. So far as it is possible to project a battle before reachingthe field, it seems that McDowell had concluded upon themove finally made before setting out on his march fromWashington. It was to give him an open field, withsuperior numbers and appointments, and when successfulwas to give him the approach to the base line of his ad-versary with fine prospects of cutting off retreat. Hisride to view the approaches of the Confederate right
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