liberty to make it. But Gen. Patterson had already commenced his movement on Winchester direct from Martinsburg, and had got as far as Bunker Hill; so that the movement which he had formerly suggested, to Charlestown, was suppressed by his own act. But that is the pretence now given in his published speech for making the movement from Bunker Hill to Charlestown, which was a retreat, instead of the advance which the movement to Charlestown he first proposed to Gen. Scott was intended to be." * * * * * * * * * * * * "Question [by the Chairman].--Was not that change of direction and movement to Charlestown a total abandonment of the object which you were pursuing? "Answer.--Entirely an abandonment of the main principles of the orders he was acting under." "Question.--And of course an abandonment of the purpose for which you were there? "Answer.--Yes, Sir. "Question [by Mr. Odell].-Was it not your understanding in leaving here, and was it not the understanding also of Gen. Scott, that your purpose in going there was to check Johnston with direct reference to the movement here? "Answer--Undoubtedly. It was in consequence of the suggestion made by me at the Council at the President's house. * * * And upon the suggestion of General Scott they wanted me to go up there and assist Patterson in this movement against Johnston, so as to carry out the point I had suggested of first checkmating Johnston before the movement against Manassas was made here." * * * * * * * * * Question [by the Chairman].--Would there have been any difficulty in preventing Johnston from going to Manassas? "Answer.--None whatever." * * * * * * * * *