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Hdqrs. Department
of Northern Virginia,
August 18, 1862.
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart,
Commanding Cavalry:
General: Herewith I send you a telegram from
General Fitz. Lee. In consequence of the condition of his animals you
must defer, the commanding general says, your proposed operations until
Wednesday, moving down toward your intended camp and resting your horses
to-morrow. Advise the general so soon as ascertained if the detached
regiment will get up, and give full report of exact condition of your
command, to enable him to act with a full knowledge of his entire
command.
Very respectfully, &c.,
R.H. Chilton,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Washington, D.C., August 18, 1862.
Major-General Pope:
It is quite possible that the enemy, while
making a demonstration lower down, may attempt to turn your position by
Culpeper and Warrenton. If so, you will mass your forces on the right
and give him battle. Porter's corps is expected at Aquia Creek to-night.
It will move up toward Richard's Ford.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
Headquarters General Pope,
August 18, 1862 - 1.30 p.m.
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck, General-in-Chief:
The enemy, heavily re-enforced, is advancing on Raccoon Ford from
Gordonsville, Louisa Court-House, and Hanover Junction. All the
Richmond force has been thrown in this direction to my left. I am not
able to resist it without being cut off from the direction of
Fredericksburg and Manassas. I have accordingly, in compliance with
your instructions, started back all my trains to pass the Rappahannock
to-night. My whole command will commence to fall back to that line
to-night. I shall draw down toward Fredericksburg, resting my right on
the railroad.
Please advise me at once if you wish other dispositions
made.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
August 19 -
Richmond, Va., August 19, 1862.
General R.E. Lee, Gordonsville, Va.:
We heard yesterday that three brigades were moving from Massaponax
Church toward the railroad; this morning the report is contradicted.
Have you anything later or more reliable? Our latest accounts represent
McClellan as moving toward the White House. Until his movement develops
we propose to retain Hill and McLaws. What do you think of it? State
at what hour your dispatches are sent and I will do the same.
G.W. Randolph,
Secretary of War.
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
Culpeper, August 19, 1862 - 11.10 a.m.
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck, Commanding U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.:
My whole train is between here and the Rappahannock, in three columns,
and will cross to-night. My command is now passing through the town,
and will cross to-night. Lee is in command near Raccoon Ford. The
whole secesh army is between there and Orange Court-House. Our trains
marched last night. The enemy has as yet made no move against us.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
August 20 -
Washington, D.C., August 20, 1862.
Major General Pope, Rappahannock, Va.:
Porter's corps is beginning to arrive at Aquia Creek. It will be under
the command of General Burnside for the present. It will be pushed up
the Rappahannock as rapidly as possible. Telegraph to me anything you
wish Burnside's forces to do in order to co-operate with you.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief
August 21 -
Hdqrs. First and Second Divs., Ninth Army Corps,
August 21, 1862.
Major General Pope,
Commanding Army of Virginia:
General: I have just received a letter from General Burnside, stating
that he would send troops to Barnett's Ford to-morrow. Would it not be
well for you to request him to hurry them up?
General Buford has just returned. Longstreet's and Hill's divisions
were the troops he was engaged with. They appear to be returning toward
Rappahannock Station. The general reports them in strong force. He
had a very successful skirmish, compelling their whole force to retire
to the cover of the woods. Some 8 or 10 of his men were killed and
wounded. The enemy's loss is unknown.
J.L. RENO,
Major-General
August 22 -
Washington, D.C., August 22, 1862.
Major-General Pope:
If you are satisfied that the enemy's main force is moving on Warrenton
mass your troops on the railroad and prepare to attack him in flank.
If this should prove to be his move, we will take the offensive against
his flank movement. You will readily understand my views.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
August 23 -
Headquarters,
Rappahannock River, August 23, 1862.
His Excellency President Davis:
I appointed Monday last, 18th instant, as the day for crossing the
Rapidan, but the troops could not be got into position or provisioned.
Monday it was hoped we should cross, but the cavalry had not got up,
and the order was changed for Wednesday, 20th. This delay proved fatal
to our success, for the enemy, through the instrumentality of a spy,
got information of our plans and concentration on his left flank while
threatening his right, and commenced Sunday night to retire his stores,
&c., behind the Rappahannock. The atmosphere was unfavorable for
observation, and fear of creating alarms kept reconnaissance quiet until
Tuesday, when their withdrawal was discovered. By the time the army
had crossed (Wednesday) everything but their cavalry had retired behind
the Rappahannock, the fords of which were strongly guarded. Upon
examination it was deemed best to turn their right flank, and General
Jackson, in command of our left wing, was put in motion Thursday for
the purpose, while General Longstreet threatened their left with our
right. The ground on the left bank of the Rappahannock commands that
on the right, and, as the examination presented, it was found necessary
to extend as high up as the road leading to Warrenton Springs. Yesterday
General Stuart, with the cavalry, crossed above the road, and proceeded
to cut the enemy's communication at Catlett's Station, on the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad. On account of a violent storm he could not
burn the bridge over Cedar Creek and was unable to cut it down. He
accomplished some minor advantages, destroyed some wagons, and captured
some prisoners.
In the mean time Jackson was crossing his force near
the Warrenton Springs until interrupted by the high water. I can get
no news from our troops on the North Anna. If McClellan has not halted
at Fredericksburg the troops there will be required here. If we are
able to change the theater of the war from James River to the north of
the Rappahannock we shall be able to consume provisions and forage now
being used in supporting the enemy. General Pope's chief quartermaster
was captured last night by General Stuart, and he is reported to state
that General Cox's forces are being withdrawn from the Kanawha Valley
by way of Wheeling. If the campaign could be pushed in this direction
it would have the effect of relieving other parts of the country. To
do this all available re-enforcements should be sent here.
I am, with high respect, your obedient servant,
R.E. LEE,
General.
August 24 -
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
Warrenton, August 24, 1862 - 9 p.m.
Major General, Commander-in-Chief:
The enemy withdrew his force across the Rappahannock, over a bridge
which he had built within a day or two, with only the loss of a few
prisoners. The bridge was destroyed behind him and under the fire of
his artillery and sharpshooters. There is no enemy on this side of the
Rappahannock. I presume he is not yet ready to force the passage of
that river for any forward movement. I think it likely that he is
engaged in rebuilding the railroad bridge between the Rapidan and
Rappahannock, so as to get up his supplies, though I do not think it at
all possible. I have sent spies and scouts to ascertain whether he is
making any movement in the direction of the valley of the Shenandoah.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
Headquarters,
Jeffersonton, Va., August 24, 1862.
His Excellency Jefferson Davis,:
President Confederate States, Richmond, Va.:
Mr. President: The enemy is in force before us, occupying the left bank
of the Rappahannock, and has greatly the advantage of us in artillery.
I send you an autograph letter from General Pope to General McClellan.
It is of old date (July 4), but interesting, as exhibiting his plans of
campaign when you compare it with its failure. I have another letter
from General Pope to General Halleck, dated 20th instant, placing his
whole force for duty at 45,000, independent of Burnside, and stating
his plan to be to hold us in check until McClellan can join him from
the Lower Rappahannock. General Fitz John Porter is to march from
Falmouth, and is the advance of McClellan.
I advanced the troops here last night and this morning, in consequence
of ascertaining that the enemy, feeling secure on their left from the
high water of the Rappahannock, was concentrating his force upon
General Jackson.
I have the honor to be, with high respect, your obedient servant,
R.E. LEE,
General.
August 25 -
Watery Mount,
August 25, 1862 - 8.45 a.m.
General McDowell:
Long lines of enemy's infantry are moving toward
Sulphur Springs from a town southwest of Sulphur Springs. These trains
are concentrated at town, extending westward.
TAYLOR,
Lieutenant, Acting Signal Officer.
August 26 -
Richmond, Va., August 26, 1862.
General R.E. Lee,
Commanding, &c., Jeffersonton, via Rapidan, Va.:
Generals Hill and McLaws, at North Anna, ordered to join you. The
brigades of Ransom and Walker start from here this morning. The York
and James Rivers are open to enemy's fleets. Confidence in you overcomes
the view which would otherwise be taken of the exposed condition of
Richmond, and the troops retained for the defense of the capital are
surrendered to you on a renewed request.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
August 27 -
Bristoe Station, August 27, 1862 - 9 p.m.
Major-General RENO:
March at the earliest dawn of day with your command on Manassas Junction.
Jackson, Ewell, and A.P. Hill are between Gainesville and that place,
and if you are prompt and expeditious we shall bag the whole crowd.
McDowell advances upon Manassas Junction from Gainesville at the same
hour; Kearny on Bristoe. As you value success be off by the earliest
blush of dawn. Acknowledge receipt of this, and, if necessary, have
guards with your trains. Push across the country wherever artillery
can be hauled. I rely on your speed.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
August 28 -
Falmouth, August 28, 1862 - 11 p.m.
Major-General Halleck:
A courier just arrived with the following from General F.J. Porter:
Bristoe, August 28, 1862 - 9.30 a.m.
My command will soon be up, and will at once go into position. Hooker drove Ewell some three miles, and Pope says McDowell intercepted Longstreet, so that, without a large detour, he cannot join Ewell, Jackson, and A.P. Hill, who are, or supposed to be, at Manassas. We shall be to-day as follows: I on right of railroad, Heintzelman on left, then Reno, then McDowell. He hopes to meet Ewell and push to Manassas to-day. You will hear of us soon by way of Alexandria.
F.J. Porter,
Major-General.
I send you the above just as received.
A.E. Burnside,
Major-General.
August 29 -
Headquarters Cavalry Brigade,
August 29, 1862.
General McDowell:
General: A large force from Thoroughfare Gap is making a junction
through Gainesville up the Centreville road with the forces in the
direction of the cannonading.
JNO. Buford,
Brigadier-General.
Headquarters Army of Virginia,
Centreville, August 29, 1862.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
Falmouth, Va., August 29, 1862 - 1 p.m.
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck, General-in-Chief, and
Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, Alexandria:
The following just received from Porter, 4 miles from Manassas, the 28th, 2 p.m.:
All that talk of bagging Jackson, &c., was bosh. That enormous Gap (Manassas) was left open and the enemy jumped through, and the story of McDowell having cut off Longstreet had no good foundation. The enemy have destroyed all our bridges, burned trains, &c., and made this army rush back to look after its line of communications and find our base of subsistence. There is a report that Jackson is at Centreville, which you can believe or not. The enemy destroyed an immense amount of property at Manassas - cars and supplies. I expect the next thing will be a raid on our rear by way of Warrenton by Longstreet, who was cut off.
F.J. Porter,
Major-General.
This is the latest news.
A.E. Burnside,
Major-General.
August 30 -
Centreville, August 30, 1862.
Major-General McClellan:
My Dear General: I send you copies of some orders under which I have
moved lately. I advanced in pursuit of the enemy and struck the center
of his line, especially under the direction of General Lee, and was
whipped, as was the whole army, badly - that is, I was overpowered.
Warren has only 187 men left - not one missing - and only three
commissioned officers. We were driven from the field. I have many
officers in their hands, some of the most valuable, from every state.
Lee is here; Jackson is not now here. Cadmus Wilcox commands Hill's
division directly in front, and the enemy are massing to turn us.
F.J. Porter,
Major-General.
Winchester, Va., August 30, 1862 - 6 p.m.
General H.W. Halleck:
I have scouts and spies out in the direction
of the present battle ground. Should the enemy be defeated, it is
possible that a portion of his forces will retreat along the base of the
Blue Ridge, near the Shenandoah River, in this valley. I desire, in
such case, discretionary authority to move against any force I can
reasonably hope to cope with.
Julius White,
Brigadier-General.
August 31 -
Washington, August 31, 1862 - 11 a.m.
Major-General Pope:
My Dear General: You have done nobly. Don't yield another inch if you
can avoid it. All reserves are being sent forward. With Franklin and
Sumner, who must now be with you, can't you renew the attack? Send me
news more often, if possible.
H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.
Headquarters
Army of the Potomac,
August 31, 1862 - 10.25 p.m.
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief U.S. Army:
I am ready to afford you any assistance in my power, but you will readily
perceive how difficult an undefined position, such as I now hold, must
be. At what hour in the morning can I see you alone, either at your
house or the office?
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major-General.
Headquarters
Army of Northern Virginia,
August 31, 1862.
Maj. Gen. John Pope,
U.S. Army, Commanding, &c.:
Sir: Consideration for your wounded induces me to consent to your
sending ambulances to convey them within your lines. I cannot consent
to a truce or suspension of military operations of this army.
The wounded will be paroled, and it is understood that no delay will
take place in their removal.
I am, respectfully, &c.,
R.E. LEE,
General.
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