Housekeeping

I’m working on a number of things.  I have ten different draft posts started, some of which are very interesting, maybe provocative or controversial.  It’s just a question of time and focus.  These posts include:

• A bit on John Rodgers Meigs, son of Union Army Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs.
• A look at the McCallister brothers, who fought on opposite sides at Bull Run.
• My favorite Lincoln quote, and what it reveals (to me) about the President as a political animal.
• The newly discovered photo of Rob Wheat.
• Two military terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, though they mean different things.  Porter Alexander didn’t help matters by using both words to describe the same incident at Bull Run.
• The thoughts of Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jefferson on an underlying weakness in the character of the southern man, as reflected in the writings of Joseph Glatthaar, Douglas Southall Freeman and Jefferson himself.

I hope to get to these soon.  But as you may have noticed, the articles on this site are not typically lenghty.  That’s by design – Bull Runnings is all about brevity, in theory more like Hemingway and less like Steinbeck.  And as Mark Twain pointed out, it takes a lot more effort and time to write short letters than it does to write long ones.

Let me know if any of the above topics are of particular interest – maybe it will help me prioritize.

By the way, I’m working on a book.  It’s very early on: I don’t have a publisher, and haven’t really sought one out.  It’s a Bull Run specific reference work,  I’m working on it as I get to it, and the concept is evolving.  It incorporates a lot of what I have written here, but it’s not one of those Blog Books.  If I don’t find anyone interested in publishing it, I’ll make it available here for free.

#65 – Col. Thomas Jordan

Reports of Col. Thomas Jordan, Assistant Adjutant General C. S. Forces, of Operations July 18 and 19

O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME 2 [S# 2] — CHAPTER IX, pp. 448-449

MANASSAS, JULY 18, 1861

General S. COOPER,  Adjutant General:

The enemy began the action at 12 o’clock noon to-day at Mitchell’s Ford–subsequently at McLean’s Ford. Bonham’s and Longstreet’s brigades engaged. Firing very heavy and obstinate. Thus far we have maintained our positions, despite the great odds opposed. There is now a lull. Johnston is marching to our support by Ashby’s Gap and forced marches.

Respectfully,

THOMAS JORDAN,

Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General

—–

MANASSAS, July 19, 1861

General S. COOPER,  Adjutant General:

Enemy did not renew fight to-day. The ground they were driven from was strewn with guns, hats, swords, coats, &c. Late this afternoon their columns had been seen gathering as if for an attack to-morrow in great force, and we hear of a heavy force about Sangster’s. Johnston’s brigades are arriving. Jackson already here. Holmes is pushing up. McRae is here. The general is out on the line of Bull Run, watching reported movements.

THOMAS JORDAN