Col. Thomas A. Scott, Army Railroads and Telegraph, to Brig. Gen. Joseph K. F. Mansfield, on Manning Defenses of Washington

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA FROM APRIL 16 TO JULY 31, 1861

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. – UNION

O. R. – Series I – VOLUME 2 [S #2] CHAPTER IX, pp. 754-755

July 22—2.30 a. m.

General Mansfield, Arlington, Chain Bridge, or Alexandria:

McDowell is sending his retreating army to the Potomac. Allow me to suggest that you man all the forts and prevent soldiers from passing over to the city; their arrival here would produce a panic on this side and cause more trouble.

The enemy is still pressing McDowell, and you need every man in the forts to save the city.

Now is your time for effectual service.

THOMAS A. SCOTT.

Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, Colonel John H. McCunn, 37th New York Infantry, and Col. Thomas A. Scott, Army Railroads and Telegraph, Discuss Dispositions

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA FROM APRIL 16 TO JULY 31, 1861

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. – UNION

O. R. – Series I – VOLUME 2 [S #2] CHAPTER IX, p. 754

Headquarters Army, July 22, 1861.

Colonel McCunn, Thirty-seventh New York, Fairfax Station:

Come in with the regiments with you and Colonel Woodbury to your camps in Washington.

WINFIELD SCOTT.

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Alexandria, July 22, 1861.

Col. T. A. Scott:

General Scott’s last instructions to me last night, before I retreated, was to retire to our camps in Washington. Is this order to be respected?

McCUNN.

[Indorsement.]

He evidently meant to the lines of the Potomac, to cover retreat, protected by the forts, of the straggling army of McDowell, which is now coming in.

T. A. S