July 17, 1862 (Wednesday): Beauregard Alarmed

Fortifications at Centreville, Va. (Library of Congress)

                                                                        Manassas, July 17, 1861.

General Cooper:

    I believe this proposed movement of General Johnston is too late.  Enemy will attack me in force to-morrow morning.

                                                                        G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Official Record, Series I. Vol. 2, Page 980

The Union Army did, in fact, strike a glancing blow on the next day at Blackburn’s Ford.  But McDowell was no where near ready to strike decisively on the 18^th, nor would he be until the 21^st.