W. Richardson
Captain
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2011
- Location
- Mt. Gilead, North Carolina
Was the United States attack at 1st Manassas (Bull Run) a premature action?
Respectfully,
William Richardson
Respectfully,
William Richardson
I'm pretty sure McDowell and the other professional military men thought so, but the politicians and newspaper men disagreed.
Here is what Winfield Scott allegedly had to say afterward: "Sir, I am the greatest coward in America.... I have fought this battle, sir, against my judgment. I think the president of the United States ought to remove me today for doing it. As God is my judge, after my superiors had determined to fight it, I did all in my power to fight it. I deserve removal because I did not stand up when my army was not in condition for fighting and resist it to the last."
Might have been, no one can know for sure, but certainly that was a major factor in how things turned out.Had the troops from the Valley not made it when they did, the whole story would have been different. Then it would have been a brilliant move to crush the rebellion before it took firm hold.
Yes the federals governments first attempt to put down the rebellion was properly too early.Was the United States attack at 1st Manassas (Bull Run) a premature action?
Back to Patterson, one often overlooked aspect of his failure was that the terms for his men had already expired.I think the main driving factor for Lincoln pushing McDowell, even though McDowell knew his men were unready, was the term of enlistments for the original 90-day volunteers was about to expire and he wanted action before that happened...
Lincoln knew that the war would not be over in 90 days.Granted thought was, this is going to be a short war. But 90 day troops, and it takes almost 90 days to even get to Manassas. How long did it take to get real enlistments going?
Is there a reason that Congress couldn't have met earlier? One would think this war is a pretty big deal.Lincoln knew that the war would not be over in 90 days.
The first call on April 15th was what he could just do as President under the militia act of 1792.
And it did force all the states to declare their positions.
On may 3rd Lincoln expanded the regular army by 22.700 positions(a number never reached) and the navy by 18.000 sailors.
And there was a call for 42.000 3 year volunteers
Lincoln did this without congress, since it was not in session.
This fitted Scotts plan where he wanted a field army of 42.000 volunteers and 25.000 regulars. A force he, based on his experience in Mexico, he thought could do the job.
When Congress got into session It then approved of Lincolns enlargement of the regular army and called for 500.000 3 year volunteers on July 22nd 1861.
One reason is travel time for all the members to get to Washington.Is there a reason that Congress couldn't have met earlier? One would think this war is a pretty big deal.
This page give the list of sessions of congress.One reason is travel time for all the members to get to Washington.
Another, in my opinion, is that Lincoln wanted to give himself some space.