"Question.--Behind his intrenchments? "Answer.--Yes, Sir; it went so far that his order was written by his adjutant, General [Fitz John] Porter. It was very much against the wishes of General [Fitz John] Porter; and he asked General Patterson if he would send for Colonel Abercrombie and Colonel Thomas and consult them on the movement. General Patterson replied: No, Sir; for I know they will attempt to dissuade me from it, and I have made up my mind to fight Johnston under all circumstances. That was the day before we left Bunker Hill. Then Colonel [Fitz John] Porter asked to have Colonel Abercrombie and Colonel Thomas sent for and consulted as to the best manner to carry out his wishes. He consented, and they came, and after half an hour they dissuaded him from it." "Question.--At that time General Patterson felt it was so important to attack Johnston that he had determined to do it? "Answer.--Yes, Sir; the order was not published, but it was written." "Question.--You understood General Patterson to be influenced to make that attempt because he felt there was a necessity for detaining Johnston? "Answer.--Yes, Sir; to detain him as long as he possibly could." "Question.--That order was not countermanded until late on Tuesday, the 16th, was it? "Answer.--That order never was published. It was written; but, at the earnest solicitation of Colonel [Fitz John] Porter, it was withheld until he could have a consultation with Colonel Abercrombie and Colonel Thomas."] It is about 1 o'clock on the morning of Thursday, July 18th,--that same day which witnesses the preliminary Battle of Blackburn's Ford--that Johnston, being at Winchester, and knowing of Patterson's peculiarly inoffensive and timid movement to his own left and rear, on Charlestown, receives from the Rebel Government at Richmond, a telegraphic dispatch, of July 17th, in these words: "General Beauregard is attacked. To strike the Enemy a decisive blow, a junction of all your effective force will be needed. If practicable, make the movement. * * * In all the arrangements exercise your discretion." Johnston loses no time in deciding that it is his duty to prevent, if possible, disaster to Beauregard's Army; that to do this he must effect a junction with him; and that this necessitates either an immediate fight with, and defeat of, Patterson,--which may occasion a fatal delay--or else, that Union general must be eluded. Johnston determines on the latter course.