1862 October 17 Harper's Ferry, Va.

[letter of Charles F. Tenney of the 7th Ohio to his fiancee Adelaide Case begun on the 15th continues]

                                                   [Jackson should be placed at the head of the Confederate
Army]  he was assigned to only a single corps d'armee, while Gen. Lee, although lacking
in that peculiar quality--dash--was made first in command because he could plan
a campaign on a large scale, and handle the entire force with ease, leaving for
generals of smaller commands the rapid moves to make.  Now Gen. Pope
was altogether too fast in making his advance into Virginia, for while he was mak
ing the bold advance directly upon the rebel Capital, he did not sufficiently guard
the flanks.  Thus the Valley of Va. was comparatively free from our army, while
there should have been a strong force acting in concert with the grand army.
And in like manner the line of the Rappahannock from the edge of Culpepper County
was left without even a picket-line, to within eight miles of Fredericksburg!
  You will see that as Gen. Pope had his entire army massed in the vicinity of
Culpepper, nothing was easier for the enemy than to turn either flank.  When this
at last became evident to the worthy General, instead of having Burnside and
McClellan come to his relief via Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock, he ordered
them to come to his rear by way of Alexandria, and the same course taken
by himself, so that if McClellan had been two days earlier he would have
been on the Rappahannock; and Washington unprotected, for the "dash" of
Jackson by Lee's order, had completely outflanked Pope's entire army, placing it
in the greatest danger of annihilation, had it not been for the timely presence of Gen
McClellan which retarded Jackson materially.  But you will say that it
was Pope's men who fought the disastrous 2d Bull run.  In part, it was and
in part by McClellan's men, but had it not been for the presence of the army of the
Peninsula, the "grant advance" of the rebel army would have been neither more nor less

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than an assault upon our own capital.                           While we were upon the Rap
pahannock we could see plainly the rebel troops across the river, moving around to our
right, and Gen Sigel requested permission to intercept the movement, (as might have
been done by guarding the passes of the Blue Ridge and Thoroughfare Mts.)  but Gen.
Pope told him it was but a ruse, and that he should be needed on the river.

Sigel was right.  Pope was wrong.  The rebels went around, and Gen. Banks
corps which was the rear=guard--just where the advance should have been--was on
cut off and surrounded, but by the superior skill of Gen. Banks we were extrica-
ted.  Have I made the matter any clearer for you.  Bu the way, Gen. Halleck said
at the time Pope was appointed that he had but little confidence in him.
       Since I commenced writing this we have moved our camp down the hill
nearer to water but our splendid view is impaired somewhat.  I was interrupted
while writing for that purpose, thus we have the labor of clearing another encampment to
perform.                   You ask me who is my partner.  Seth Coon, who has
been about all summer, in the Pioneer Corps, is acting in that capacity now, while my
regular partner, Bob Murray is still in the Hospital, being wounded at
Cedar Mountain.
         But I must close this as the boys are waiting for me to help
fix the tent.      Please give my love to all, not forgetting Addie
    and write soon, to
                        Your own loving Charley
It is said we remain here this Winter.

MSS 11616