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Rh tion, and so intimidated Patterson that he immediately fell back across the river Johnston then quietly and leisurely panned his march to Winchester. This position was of great strategical importance, and its occupation evinced a high degree of skill on the part of the Confederate General. He was now between the forces of McClellan and Patterson, and could operate at his pleasure against either before they could be joined by the others. At the same time he was in a situation to unite with Beauregard, should he he attacked, through Ashby's gap and the railroad. Having ascertained that Patterson designed to cross the Potomac again, he sent Colonel Jackson in advance to oppose him, there being no other troops between Winchester and Martinsburg but Colonel Stuart's cavalry, who acted as a corps of observation. Patterson crossed for the second time on the 2d of July, Jackson fell back before him, and drew up his small force at Falling Waters. The enemy came on. A fierce conflict ensued, in which Jackson inflicted upon him a loss almost equal in number to the force he had with him, and himself sustained scarcely any. When about to he out-flanked, Jackson retired, bringing off forty-five prisoners, whom he had captured. Johnston advanced, with his whole force, to support Jackson, but Patterson apparently had had enough of it; for he made no attempt to renew the engagement. Johnston then took op a position near Martinsburg, with the hope of drawing Patterson into an engagement, bat he could not succeed. After remaining four days in this position, Johnston returned to Winchester. On the 15th. Patterson advanced as far as Bunker Hill, about ten miles from Winchester, and, on the 17th, made a movement on his left, in the direction of Smithfield. Johnston instantly took the hint.

Be had I sen convinced, from the refusal of Patter- • at Martinsburg, that he did not intend to fight him, and that his only • to detain him in the Valley until the Grand Army from Washington should have overwhelmed ird. This movement confirmed his original impi -ion lie had already telegraphed to Richmond, reqnestii join ird, and had received them accordingly Ordering the cavalry under Colonel Stuart to make a movement in advance, as if for the purpose of bi ing on a general i at, he completely <!■ <»f Stuart'i n 1 his whole army throu Piedmont Station, oa t) I, from wl to he transported by th< ind cavalry following as rapidly I MoaatsM on the morn Ith snd I'd Alal ;itVr The re-t of hi* • "tn BOOM I ii"t arr *- road had promised that the should. Th' troop* thn- 1 to hh'-ut 5,000 in number ^ • shall not here, with the limited -p»T at our oomanand, attfm: •ho battle of Manaasas It i« nafnrient to <.ay that Amoral John-" JUSUmin_ lined to :.