which belonged to Congress. Congress refused to throw over these acts, however necessary, the sanction of the law; but in view of the necessity of prompt and vigorous action on the part of the President, excused his acts on the distinct ground of the "necessities of war." Measures were adopted without delay for putting in the field an army of five hundred and twenty-five thousand men, and for equipping a powerful navy; and the sum of five hundred millions of dollars was appropriated for the prosecution of the war. During this session Congress also adopted a solemn resolution declaring "that this war is not prosecuted on our part in any spirit of THE CONFEDERATE FLAG. oppression, nor for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor for the purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of those [the seceded] States; but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the constitution and all laws made in pursuance thereof, and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality and rights of the several States unimpaired; that as soon as these objects are accomplished the war ought to cease." In the meantime the Confederates had collected troops at important points to resist the advance of the Federal troops into Virginia. A force under Brigadier-General Garnett | was stationed in West Virginia to cover the approaches from that direction; Harper's Ferry, which commanded the entrance into the valley of Virginia, was held by an army of seven thousand or eight thousand men, under General Joseph E. Johnston; a much larger force, under General Beauregard, took position near Manassas Junction, about thirty miles from Washington, and a column of several thousand men, under General John B. Magruder, was stationed at Yorktown, on the peninsula between the York and James rivers, to cover Richmond from the direction of Fortress Monroe at the mouth of Hampton Roads, which was still held by the Federal troops. Norfolk was also held by a strong force. With the exception of that occupied by General Garnett's command, all these positions were carefully fortified. Bethel Church and Rich Mountain. The Union army at Fortress Monroe numbered about twelve thousand men, and was commanded by General B. F. Butler. Early in June, Magruder moved a force of eighteen hundred men and several pieces of artillery from Yorktown, and took position at Bethel Church, about half way between Yorktown and Hampton. On the tenth of June he was attacked by a force of four thousand troops under General Pierce, of Massachusetts, but succeeded in repulsing the attack and maintaining his position. In the opposite quarter of the State, the Union forces were more successful. In order to prevent the Confederates from overrunning West Virginia, a strong body of Ohio and Indiana troops, under General George B. McClellan, was sent into that region. McClellan set to work at once to drive the Confederates out of West Virginia, and on, the third of June a portion of his command, under General Kelly, defeated Genera! Garnett at Philippi. McClellan now advanced against the main body of Garnett's forces. | mander, Colonel Ellsworth, was killed by a On the eleventh of July, he attacked the com- citizen. Strong defences were erected on mand of Colonel Pegram at Rich Mountain, the Virginia shore between Washington and and defeated it. This defeat compelled Gen- Alexandria, and the army was encamped eral Garnett to fall back towards the valley within these lines. Two months were passed of Virginia. He was pursued by McClellan in organizing and disciplining this force, and and overtaken at Carrick's ford, on the Cheat in the meantime the people of the Northern river. In the battle which ensued here, Gar- and Western States became impatient of the FORTIFICATIONS IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON. advance of McDowell's army were completed, and on the seventeenth of July he began his march from the Potomac towards Bull Run, - on the banks of which the Confederates were posted. His army numbered over fifty thousand men, and forty-nine pieces of artillery. As soon as the advance of this army was known to him, General Beauregard informed General Johnston of it, and begged him to On the eighteenth of July General McDowell attempted to force a passage of Bull Run at Blackburn's ford, but was repulsed. DAVIS On the morning of the twenty-first, the Union army advanced in force, and endeavored to turn the left of the Southern line. An obstinately It contested battle ensued, which lasted from sunrise until nearly sunset. resulted in the total defeat of the Federal army, which was driven back in utter rout upon Alexandria and Washington, with a loss of between four and five thousand men in killed, wounded and prisoners, and twenty-eight pieces of artillery. For a while the effects of this disaster upon the Federal army were so great that Washington was almost defenceless; but the Confederates made no effort to follow up their victory. They were almost as badly demoralized by their success as the Union army by its defeat. Recovering from the dismay of its first great reverse, the government went to work |