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August 1 -
Washington, D.C., August 1, 1862
General Pope, Warrenton, Va.:
General Burnside's command has been ordered to Fredericksburg. As
soon as they arrive, use King's division as you deem best. Watch the
Shenandoah Valley. It is believed that the enemy are preparing to
operate there. If so, attack them in flank, and give no rest.
H.W. Halleck,
Major-General, Commanding.
August 2 -
Fort Monroe, Va.,
August 2, 1862 - 2.40 p.m.
Major-General Halleck,
Commander-in-Chief:
Your dispatch received. My troops are rapidly embarking. The fleet will
sail at 12 o'clock tonight as quietly as possible, and will reach Acquia
Creek to-morrow.
A.E. Burnside,
Major-General.
August 3 -
Petersburg, Va., August 3, 1862.
The Yankees have landed in force at Coggins Point. Our pickets have
been driven back more than a mile. A force is out to check advance of the Yankees.
If they come nearer we will be constrained to thrash them.
Your obedient servant,
D.H. Hill,
Major-General
August 4 -
Mechanicsville [Near Gordonsville],
August 4, 1862.
Maj. Gen. R.S. Ewell:
General: Your dispatch of 3 a.m. of this date is at hand. As far as
consistent with efficiency we should keep the enemy ignorant of our
infantry force; but if you have an opportunity to strike a blow do it,
and if you need re-enforcements let me know.
Respectfully,
T.J. Jackson,
Major-General.
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
August 4, 1862 - 5 p.m.
General Rufus King:
What is the best and safest way for you to move with your whole command
to the crossing of the Rapidan by the Orange and Alexandria Railroad,
so as to unite at that point with the other division of your army corps,
which will be there within five days, in consequence of the presence of
the enemy at and around Gordonsville.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
August 5 -
Headquarters,
Near Sperryville, Va., August 5, 1862
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief U.S. Army:
General: I commence the forward movement from my present position
to-morrow.
McDowell, with one division of his army corps (the other is King's, at
Fredericksburg), moves from Warrenton direct to Culpeper. General
Banks moves due south to the pike from Sperryville to Culpeper, and
pursues the pike to the crossing of Hazel River.
As soon as these forces are at the points specified the whole of the
army will move forward to the line of Robertson's River. The First
Corps, now at Sperryville, to occupy the north side of the river, a
little northeast of Madison Court-House; the Second Corps, a point half
way between the First and the railroad crossing of Rapidan River
(mouth of Crooked River); the Third at the railroad crossing.
The position along Robertson's River is strong and easily defensible,
in case the enemy assembles a superior force before he can be dealt
with. The purpose is to make a considerable demonstration from
Stanardsville upon the enemy's rear at Charlottesville, so as to make
Gordonsville untenable and force him to fall back.
I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
Via Hanover Court-House, Va.,
August 5, 1862.
General Lee:
Struck the enemy's line of march at this place, Massaponax Church, and
Lee's brigade is charging his baggage train in both directions,
capturing wagons and prisoners, who are thronging already my presence.
Two brigades (Hatch and Gibbon), 6,000 men, twelve pieces of artillery,
have gone toward Richmond on Telegraph Road. Prisoners say Burnside is
at Fredericksburg, with 16,000 men. Yankees say Hanover Court-House is
their destination.
I will watch the enemy.
J.E.B. Stuart.
Major-General.
Camp on James River,
August 5, 1862
General John Cochrane,
Washington, D.C.:
We have retaken Malvern Hill to-day, and from the way I am told the enemy
behaved I am convinced that if we had a re-enforcement of 20,000 men
we could walk straight into Richmond. Do represent this in the right
quarter.
E.V. Sumner,
Brevet Major-General, U.S. Army.
August 6 -
General Pope's Headquarters
Near Sperryville, August 6, 1862 - 8 a.m.
Major-General Halleck:
I desire to move General King's division from Fredericksburg to Culpeper
to-morrow morning, by the plank road between those two places, which
crosses the Rapidan at Germanna Mills. The cavalry of that division is
the best I have; in fact the only good cavalry in this army.
The troops are all on the march to-day for their new positions.
I shall leave for Culpeper to-morrow.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
August 7 -
Headquarters,
New Market, Va., August 7, 1862.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, Commanding Cavalry:
General: Your dispatch of yesterday received. I am much gratified at
your severing the line of march of Hatch's and Gibbon's brigades. I
think it will arrest their march and cause a retrograde movement. Their
object is, I think, the railroad and the recall of Jackson. If they could
reach a position in which Jackson could interpose between them and
Fredericksburg they would be annihilated. Keep me informed of events.
Very respectfully,
R.E. Lee,
General.
Washington, D.C., August 7, 1862
Maj. Gen. Pope, Sperryville, Va.:
I am of the opinion that the route from Covington to Harrisonburg is
more safe than that by Staunton. If Jackson is concentrating at
Charlottesville or vicinity he probably intends to turn your right
flank, which will render Cox's junction with you impossible. Order as
you deem best, but with caution.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
Headquarters,
New Market, Va., August 7, 1862 - 9 a.m.
General Thomas J. Jackson,
Commanding Valley District:
General: Your dispatch of yesterday is received. I am here in consequence
of the reported advance of McClellan's army. I have no idea that he
will advance on Richmond now, but it may be premonitory to get a new
position, reconnoiter, &c. I think it more probable to cover other
movements, probably that of Burnside from Fredericksburg, of which I
wrote you last night. It was to save you the abundance of hard fighting
that I ventured to suggest for your consideration not to attack the
enemy's strong points, but to turn his position at Warrenton, &c., so
as to draw him out of them. I would rather you should have easy fighting
and heavy victories.
I am, very respectfully, &c.,
R.E. Lee,
General, Commanding.
August 8 -
Washington, D.C., August 8, 1862
Maj. Gen. Pope, Sperryville, Va.:
Do not advance so as to expose yourself to any disaster, unless you can
better your line of defense, until we can get more troops upon the
Rappahannock. I hope to increase your forces very soon but in the mean
time you must be very cautious. Keep up your connection with General
Burnside, and do not let the enemy get between you.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
Hdqrs. Department of Northern Virginia,
August 8, 1862.
General Thomas J. Jackson,
Commanding Valley District:
General: Your letter of the 7th is received. If your information is
correct, your movement against the enemy in Culpeper is judicious. I
hope you may be able to strike him moving, or at least be able to draw
him from his strong positions. Relying upon your judgement, courage,
and discretion, and trusting to the continued blessing of an ever-kind
Providence, I hope for victory. With best wishes for you and your
command,
I am, very respectfully,
R.E. Lee,
General.
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
Culpeper, Va., August 8, 1862.
Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel,
Commanding First Army Corps, Sperryville, Va.:
General: The enemy has attacked our left and is marching on this place.
Major-General Pope directs, in consequence thereof, that you move your
command at once to this point. You will move on the road from
Sperryville to Culpeper, and must encamp to-night at the point where
that road crosses the Hazel River. You will continue the march to-morrow
morning, so as to arrive here at as early an hour as possible, unless
otherwise ordered.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Geo. D. Ruggles,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
Hdqrs. Third Army Corps, Army of Virginia,
Culpeper, Va., August 8, 1862.
Colonel Duffie,
First Rhode Island Cavalry, also
Colonel Allen,
First Maine Cavalry:
Sirs: The enemy is pressing General Bayard back. Move your regiment to
the right and join him. His right is on Cedar Mountain. Captain Leski,
aide-de-camp, who is the bearer of this, will acquaint you with the
route, &c.
Very respectfully,
S.F. Barstow,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
Hdqrs. Third Army Corps, Army of Virginia,
Culpeper, Va., August 8, 1862.
Brigadier-General Bayard,
Commanding Cavalry Brigade:
General: General Crawford's brigade and a battery of artillery are
moving to your support from this place. Colonels Duffie and Allen,
with their regiments of cavalry, have also been ordered to your support.
Very respectfully,
S.F. Barstow,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
August 9 -
August 9, 1862.
General McDowell:
General: The enemy are advancing in force; artillery, cavalry, and
infantry. Wagons in sight. They advance confidently. I have therefore
not advanced. I shall recall the squadron I ordered to Raccoon, and
order it to patrol the roads to our left. General Banks has not come yet,
though General Pope sent an order to him here.
Your obedient servant,
Geo. D. Bayard,
Brigadier-General.
Seven Miles from Culpeper,
August 9, 1862.
General McDowell:
General: Another large force of cavalry has gone to our left - more
than a whole regiment - making about three regiments. They mean to do
something there.
Geo. D. Bayard,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Seven Miles from Culpeper,
August 9, 1862.
General McDowell:
General: More troops are passing to the left, and we have them on the
right, too. There has been some little artillery firing.
Geo. D. Bayard,
Brigadier-General.
The enemy are advancing.
August 10 -
Camp near Pony Mountain,
August 10, 1862 - 3 p.m.
Major-General McDowell, Headquarters:
General: I am in pursuance of your orders, on the road to Raccoon Ford;
have made two reconnaissances, and find a body of cavalry with a battery,
2,000 strong, on the railroad about 2 miles north of Mitchell's Station.
They came to Raccoon Ford, but did not cross, and retired.
I am entirely unprotected if they attack, and some infantry is necessary
for the safety of my command.
Duffie,
Colonel.
August 11 -
Cedar Mountain, August 11, 1862 - 11 a.m.
Major-General H.W. Halleck:
Everything remains as reported this morning. The enemy is massed on the
summit and sides of Cedar Mountain, in front of me, about 3 miles. King's
division is within 8 miles, and will be in this afternoon. I will
maneuver by the right to intercept the enemy's communications. We have
taken many prisoners, and the enemy's loss, as well as our own, is very
heavy. Captured officers speak freely of General McClellan's move back
from Malvern Hill the other day. They say that their skirmishers drove
in our pickets in the afternoon, and next morning at daylight they found
to their surprise that our forces were gone. From everything I can learn
I am satisfied that one-third of the enemy's whole force is here, and
more will be arriving unless McClellan will at least keep them busy and
uneasy at Richmond.
Of the force left there nearly one-half is on the south side of James
River. Deserters, escaped prisoners, and spies all concur in the
statement that not more than 40,000 troops are on the north side of
James River. Please make McClellan do something to prevent re-enforcements
being sent here. I am able to get along with those that are here now.
General Stuart himself, with his whole cavalry force, is here. Our
officers have seen and talked with him.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
Cedar Mountain, Va., August 11, 1862 - 3.30 p.m.
H.W. Halleck, Major-General:
In compliance with your telegraph of this date I shall place my command
in favorable position in this immediate vicinity and operate on the
enemy's communications. The only hazard in such a policy is that
supiness of the Army of the Potomac renders it easy for the enemy to
re-enforce Jackson heavily. Of that, however, you must be the judge.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
August 12 -
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
Cedar Mountain, August 12, 1862 - 7.30 a.m.
Major-General Halleck:
The enemy has retreated under cover of the night. His rear is now
crossing the Rapidan toward Orange Court-House. Our cavalry and artillery
are in pursuit. I shall follow with the infantry as far as the Rapidan.
Will keep you advised.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
Washington, D.C., August 12, 1862.
Major-General Pope:
Beware of a snare. Feigned retreats are secesh tactics.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
Signal Station at Headquarters,
August 12, 1862 - 11 a.m.
General McDowell:
Please send me some infantry. The enemy are trying to turn our left.
Duffie,
Colonel.
Signal Station, Headquarters,
August 12, 1862 - 12 m.
General Pope:
General Sigel's cavalry fired on us. It was not the enemy.
A.N. Duffie,
Colonel.
August 13 -
Washington, D.C., August 13, 1862.
Major-General Pope, Culpeper, Va.:
Do not advance your force across the Rapidan. Burnside's re-enforcements
will reach you to-night or to-morrow morning by the Rappahannock.
General Burnside will remain at Falmouth. You will retain the supreme
command. Guard well against a flank movement by the enemy.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
August 13, 1862.
Brig. Gen. John B. Hood, Commanding Division.:
General: Having received information that Burnside's forces have left
Fredericksburg to join Pope, unless you know to the contrary, I desire
you to march at once with your command to Gordonsville and report to
General Longstreet.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
R.E. Lee,
General.
Camp Beverly,
Randolph County, Va., August 13, 1862.
Major-General Franz Sigel:
I have the honor to report that I have ascertained to a certainty no
troops of any consequence in Staunton or Charlottesville. Jackson's
headquarters few miles from Gordonsville with 35,000 men. Thirty
thousand men at Gordonsville. Jackson's men concealed.
C.W.D. Smiley.
August 14 -
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
Cedar Mountain, August 14, 1862 - 8.30 a.m.
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck, General-in-Chief:
The enemy has retreated from Gordonsville; he can be plainly seen by
Sigel's advance. Sigel is on Robertson's River, at the mouth of Crooked
River, where the road from Culpeper to Orange Court-House crosses it,
with his advance thrown forward to the Rapidan. His cavalry will be
thrown well to his front and right. McDowell moves immediately, and
will take post at the railroad crossing of the Rapidan, on the left of
Sigel. Burnside will be posted on the road from Culpeper to Louisa
Court-House, between Somerville and Raccoon Fords. Banks will form the
reserve at Culpeper.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
Headquarters, August 14, 1862 - 9 a.m.
General James Longstreet,
Commanding, &c., Gordonsville, Va.:
General: As soon as I learned that Burnside had left Fredericksburg I
ordered Hood to march and report to you. Send him word to what point
to direct his march. You can stop the troops in transit from here at
Louisa if you think fit, and direct them toward the Rappahannock.
I have directed Stuart to get ready his cavalry to move on. I have
proposed, as I informed you when here, to send Stuart by the right to
sweep around by the enemy's rear and cut his communications when we get
ready to move, keeping Jackson's cavalry on our left and in the enemy's
front to disguise the movement. I fear General Pope can be re-enforced
quicker than ourselves.
I had arranged to leave in the cars to-morrow morning at 4 o'clock to
join you. Let me know where I shall find you. I should like, if
convenient, to see Jackson, too.
Most respectfully and truly, yours,
R.E. Lee.
August 15 -
(Received at Signal Station at Headquarters,
August 15, 1862 - 10.30 a.m.)
Major-General McDowell:
Jackson, with his army, is 5 miles beyond Orange Court-House, on the
road to Gordonsville.
Duffie,
Colonel.
Gordonsville, Va., August 15, 1862.
His Excellency Jefferson Davis:
Please put General R.H. Anderson's
division in motion to-morrow. Direct him to halt at Louisa Court-House.
Orders will meet him there. I move to-morrow to the Rapidan.
R.E. Lee.
August 16 -
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
August 16, 1862 - 8.30 a.m.
Maj. Gen. Halleck, General-in-Chief:
My whole force was advanced and is posted near the Rapidan. It is
impossible, without crossing the river, to establish the camps near it,
on account of low, wet ground. the hills are all on south side. The
enemy is nearly in his old camps, at and beyond Gordonsville and Liberty
Mills. Unless he has received re-enforcements he will not stand.
According to your instructions I shall not cross Rapidan for the present,
but will at least make strong reconnaissance and demonstration toward
Louisa Court-House by the old road to Richmond, which crosses at Raccoon
Ford.
The weak point of my position is the left. There is danger that
forces coming from Richmond may unite with Jackson, advancing from
Louisa Court-House, near Germanna Mills, and thus interpose between me
and Fredericksburg. so soon as McClellan's movement is understood I
have little doubt this will be done. The line on Rappahannock as far
up as the forks is strong and safe, with small force at Fredericksburg.
I would suggest for your consideration whether the mass of the forces
arriving at Aquia Creek had not best be pushed at least to the forks
of the Rappahannock? I will keep the country closely watched.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
Petersburg, Va., August 16, 1862.
It is reported by my courier that the enemy have a pontoon bridge across the Chickahominy and are there in force. From three sources we have the departure of the fleet.
S.G. French,
Brigadier-General
Washington, D.C., August 16, 1862.
Major-General Pope,
Commanding Army of Virginia:
I think it would be very unsafe for your army to cross the Rapidan. It
would be far better if you were in rear of the Rappahannock. We must
run no risks just now, but must concentrate, so as to secure full
co-operation. As soon as force reaches Aquia Creek to sufficiently
sustain itself it will be sent to the fork of the rivers. Look out
well for the crossing at Germanna, and do not let your left flank be
turned. If threatened too strongly, fall behind the Rappahannock.
Every possible exertion is being made to increase our forces on that
line. Keep me fully advised of affairs in your front.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
Near Cedar Mountain,
August 16, 1862 - 9 p.m.
Brig. Gen. M.C. Meigs, Quartermaster-General:
There has been the grossest possible carelessness somewhere in the
Quartermaster's Department in the matter of furnishing forage to my
army. Although only 70 or 80 miles from Alexandria, I cannot get forage
for my cavalry; and now at the moment I most need it this arm of the
service is paralyzed by the neglect of some quartermaster. I desire
that the quartermaster at Alexandria may be called to account and made
to explain who is culpable in the matter.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
August 17 -
Richmond, Va., August 17, 1862.
Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith, Commanding, &c.:
Move forward with your division with the least delay practicable
to re-enforce General Lee at Gordonsville. Trains will be in readiness
in this city to take the troops as they arrive.
Very truly,
S. Cooper,
Adjutant and Inspector General.
Camp Near Cedar Mountain,
August 17, 1862 - 8.30 a.m.
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck:
The main body of the enemy has fallen back to Machanicsburg and lies
between Louisa Court-House and Charlottesville. Reports from various
sources represent large force to be moving from Richmond to join Jackson.
I think it very likely to be true. Our position is strong, and it will
be difficult to drive us from it. A strong reconnaissance was pushed
yesterday into Stanardsville and some short distance beyond it, finding
only vedettes of the enemy. I need cavalry horses immediately, as I
telegraphed this morning.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
August 18 -
Taylor's [Farm], August 18, 1862.
General J.E.B. Stuart, Commanding Cavalry:
General: I hope to be prepared to-day to cross to-morrow. I wish to know
where you will be and where your troops (Lee's brigade) are. Let me
hear from you as soon as you know the time at which you will be prepared.
Hard bread will be issued for the march, but must not be used previously.
The supply is very limited.
R.E. Lee,
General.
Washington, D.C., August 18, 1862.
Major-General Pope, Cedar Mopuntain, Va.:
All accounts from the vicinity of Richmond concur in representing that
large re-enforcements are being sent to Jackson, with the intention of
attacking you before General McClellan's troops can reach the Rappahannock.
Be very careful that they do not flank you.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
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