Congress granted five hundred millions in money, and directed a call for five hundred thousand volunteers for the army; made provisions for a popular national loan; revised the tariff; passed a direct tax bill; adopted measures, moderate in their scope, for the confiscation of rebel property; legalized the official acts of the President during the emergency in which the country had been placed; and the House of Representatives, with but two dissentients, passed the following resolution: “_Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States_, That the present deplorable civil war has been forced upon the country by the disunionists of the Southern States, now in revolt against the Constitutional Government, and in arms around the capital; that in this national emergency Congress, banishing all feeling of mere passion or resentment, will recollect only its duty to the whole country; that this war is not waged on our part in any spirit of oppression, nor for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor purpose of authorizing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of the States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the Union, with all the dignities, equality, and rights of the several States unimpaired, and that as soon as these objects are accomplished the war ought to cease.” On the 21st of July, the Army of the Union, under the direct command of General McDowell, and the general supervision of the veteran Scott--from whose onward movement against the rebels in Virginia so much had been expected--met with a serious reverse at Bull Run. They went forth, exulting in victory as certain; they came back a panic-stricken mob. For an instant, despondency took possession of every loyal heart; all manner of vague fears seized the people; Washington would be captured; the cause was lost. It was but for an instant, however. The rebound came. Washington which might easily have been captured and sacked, had the rebels known how to improve their success, was securely fortified and amply garrisoned. One did not then comprehend what now the most concede--that Bull Run was a necessary discipline--a school in which all learned somewhat--though, unfortunately, not all of us as much as we should. That came later. CHAPTER IX. CLOSE OF 1861. Elation of the Rebels--Davis’s boast--McClellan appointed Commander of Potomac Army--Proclamation of a National Fast-- Intercourse with rebels forbidden--Fugitive slaves--Gen. Butler’s views--Gen. McClellan’s letter from Secretary Cameron--Act of August 6th, 1861--Gen. Fremont’s order--Letter of the President modifying the same--Instructions to Gen. Sherman--Ball’s Bluff-- Gen. Scott’s retirement--Army of the Potomac.