Headquarters of the
Army, WASHINGTON, April 29th, 1861
Maj. Gen. PATTERSON
SIR: I wrote to you by Major Porter on the 27th, and also
sent by him certain verbal messages. In that letter I gave you the outline of
my plan for taking and strongly occupying Baltimore, and I asked for your views
on the subject. At present, I suppose a column from this place of three
thousand men, and another from York of three thousand men, a third from
Perryville or Elkton by land or water, or both, of three thousand, & a fourth
from Annapolis, by water, of three thousand, might suffice. But it may be, and
many persons think it probable, that Baltimore, before we can get ready,
will reopen the communication through that city, and beyond, each way, for
troops, army supplies, and travellers, voluntarily. When can we be ready for
the movement upon Baltimore on this side? Col. Mansfield has satisfied me that
we want at least 10,000 (ten thousand) additional troops here to give security
to this Capital, and as yet, we have less than 10,000, including some very
indifferent militia of the District. With that addition we will be able, I
think, to make the detachment for Baltimore. The Secretary tells me that he has
sent a party, not military, to repair the bridges and relay the Maryland
part of the Harrisburg & Baltimore railroad, to a point near the City.
This, I am sure cannot be done without the protection of a Military force. I
wish you to look to this. I am not sure that either you or Brig. Gen’l. Butler
has re-inforced Ft. McHenry. I suppose 250 or 500 men will be wanted, if it be
not already reinforced. If he is with you send Major W. W. Morris there to
command. I shall ask General Butler to send up the men that may be yet needed.
I desired Major Porter, A. A. G., to obtain from you or the Gov. of
Pennsylvania the means of building two bridges on the Balt. & Ohio R.R.
somewhere below Frederick; but pause a few days for further instructions, as we
may want to use that road in taking possession of Harper's Ferry. We are in great
want of Camp equipage and accoutrements at Annapolis, I believe, &
certainly here; & we have occupied all the shelter for troops to be
found here. Therefore please send no more troops this way without Camp
equipage. The cabinet have under consideration, a plan for Volunteers of a long
period of service. Please therefore to withdraw your request addressed to the
Governor of Pennsylvania to increase his quota of three-months men. Tell me
what you can do, and when, toward seizing and occupying Baltimore. The Quarter
Master in Philadelphia has two hundred wagons, and thinks he can obtain as many
more in ten or fifteen days. Four locomotives and ten passenger cars have been
ordered from New York for service on this side of Annapolis. With high respect,
Yours very trully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
P.S. Occupy Havre de Grace at your discretion. I think well
of the proposition.
WINFIELD SCOTT
SOURCE: Jessie Ames Marshall, Editor, Private and
Official Correspondence of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler During the Period of the
Civil War, Volume 1: April 1860 – June 1862, p. 55-7
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