IN LONDON ; 
[Manchester,] 3 July 1861 

Dear Moor, 

Your questions about the state of affairs in Virginia are easier 
put than answered. Is Washington still threatened? Not im- 
mediately, otherwise the SourHerners would not have evacuated so 
much territory; but one doesn’t know, of course, how the 
opposing sides compare in terms of strength. Should the first 
major attack by the Northerners be decisively repulsed, it’s 
impossible to say what might happen, for there is no knowing 
where they would come to a halt again. However, the chances are 
three to one that, even in that case, the Potomac would form an 
adequate obstacle. 

The position at Manassas Junction is determined by the 
Southerners) need to maintain communications with North-West 
Virginia along the railway to Paris and Strasburg. If M. J. is lost, 
their nearest railway communication with West Virginia (on the 
far side of the mountains) would be the line from Richmond via 
Gordonsville to Staunton—80 miles to the south; they would lose 
the opportunity of rapidly moving their reserves, particularly 
those immediately to the rear of their dispositions, from west to 
east, etc., as need arose, while any elements in West Virginia could 
be cut off or forced to make a wide detour. Such is the 

significance of the position—whether it has any tactical impor- 
tance I can’t say, for no conclusions at all can be drawn from the 
maps. All in all, the war in West Virginia will now turn on the 
railway junctions. 

The affair at Big Bethel*” is of no significance. Tactically 
speaking, it was abominably mismanaged; a night attack carried out 
with volunteers like these and, what’s more, with each column 
separated from the rest, could only end in confusion, mutual 
slaughter, and panicky flight. 

On the other hand, the North would seem to be at fault in 2 
respects: 1. the massive strength of the newly formed and fully 
mobile corps doesn’t appear to have been called on at all; they were 
kept kicking their heels some 400-500 miles from the scene of the 
fighting, whereas on the Potomac they would have been worth 
their weight in gold, and 2. brave old Scott would again appear to 
have made colossal plans for an encirclement*** which can only 
lead to a colossal dispersal of his troops; to what extent this may 
lead to defeats, given the slack ways and unknown heroes of the 
South, it is impossible to determine. 

What is this about not voting on secession?* According to all the 
papers up here, the resolutions at the conventions were ratified in 
each state by popular vote. 

Let me know how il capitano che'l gran Sepolcro libero di Cristo, 
Goffredo il Magnanimo” subsequently got on in the affair. 

Enclosed SL 62585, five pounds, Liverpool, 12 May 1860. 

I shall see if I can’t send you some more towards the end of the 
week. 

How did Lupus get on at the Prussian Embassy? ** 

Many regards to the Lapses. 

Your 
F. E.