At the same time Brigadier-General Holmes
was to march hither with all of his command not essential for
the defense of the position of Acquia Creek. These junctions
having been effected at Manassas, an immediate, impetuous attack
of our combined armies upon General McDowell was to follow, as
soon as he approached my advanced position, at and around
Fairfax Court-House, with the inevitable result, as I submitted,
of his complete defeat, and the destruction or capture of his
army. This accomplished, the Army of the Shenandoah, under
General Johnston, increased with a part of my forces and
rejoined as he returned by the detachment left to hold the
mountain-passes, was to march back rapidly into the Valley, fall
upon and crush Patterson with a superior force, wheresoever he
might be found. This, I confidently estimated, could be achieved
within fifteen days after General Johnston should march from
Winchester for Manassas.
"Meanwhile, I was to occupy the enemy's works on this side of
the Potomac, if, as I anticipated, he had been so routed as to
enable me to enter them with him or, if not, to retire again for
a time within the lines of Bull Run with my main force.
Patterson having been virtually destroyed, then General Johnston
would reenforce General Garnett sufficiently to make him
superior to his opponent (General McClellan) and able to defeat
that officer.
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