' The following is
an accurate copy of the order:
"'General Beauregard is attacked. To strike the enemy a decisive
blow, a junction of all your effective force will be needed. If
practicable, make the movement, sending your sick and baggage to
Culpepper Court-House, either by railroad or by Warrenton. In
all the arrangements, exercise your discretion.'
"The words 'if practicable' had reference to letters of General
Johnston of the 12th and 15th of July, which made it extremely
doubtful if he had the power to make the movement, in view of
the relative strength and position of Patterson's forces as
compared with his own.
"The plan of campaign reported to have been submitted, but not
accepted, and to have led to a decision of the War Department,
can not be found among its files, nor any reference to any
decision made upon it; and it was not known that the army had
advanced beyond the line of Bull Run, the position previously
selected by General Lee, and which was supposed to have
continued to be the defensive line occupied by the main body of
our forces. Inquiry has developed the fact that a message, to be
verbally delivered, was sent by Hon. Mr. Chesnut. If the
conjectures recited in the report were entertained, they rested
on the accomplishment of one great condition, namely, that a
junction of the forces of Generals Johnston and Holmes should be
made with the army of General Beauregard and should gain a
victory.
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