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RICHMOND, VA., August 28, 1862.
General R. E. LEE,
Commanding, &c., Salem, via Rapidan, Va.:
Dispatch of 27th received. * Congratulate you upon events recited. Letters of 23rd and 24th received to-day. The re-enforcements asked for by you have been sent forward, and the cavalry to which you refer particularly should have joined you by this time. General Pendleton left here fully possessed of my views and charged to communicate them to you.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
*Not found.
HEADQUARTERS,
Near Warrenton Junction, August 28, 1862 - 12.37 a. m.
Major-General PORTER, Warrenton Junction:
GENERAL: I have this moment received your note of the 27th instant, directing me to hasten with all speed to Warrenton Junction. My corps reached here last night at dark, and is now encamped 1 1/2 miles south of the Warrenton Junction. Is it desired that we move forward immediately or wait until daylight? Please answer.
General Porter sends an order for two batteries of artillery to join General Heintzelman in the direction of Greenwich. They will be sent forward immediately.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding Second Corps, Army of Virginia.
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 3 miles, and Pope says McDowell intercepted Longstreet, so that, without a long detour, he cannot join Ewell, Jackson, and A. P. Hill, who are, or supposed to be, at Manassas. Ewell's train, he says, took the road to Gainesville, where McDowell is coming from. 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, I hope all goes well near Washington. I think there need be no cause of fear for us. I feel as if on my way now, and thus far have kept my command and trains well up. More supplies than I supposed on hand have been brought, but none to spare, but we must make connection soon. I hope for the best. You will hear of us soon by way of Alexandria.
F. J. PORTER,
Major-General.
Numbers 64. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, Manassas Junction, August 28, 1862-2 p. m.
Major-General McDOWELL:
I sent you a dispatch a few minutes ago directing you to move on Green [Gum] Spring, to intercept Jackson. Since then I have received your note of this morning. I will this evening push forward Reno to Gainesville, and follow with Heintzelman, unless there is a large force of the enemy at Centreville, which I do not believe. Ascertain, if you can, about this. I do not wish you to carry out the order to proceed to Green Spring if you consider it too hazardous, but I will support you in any way you suggest by pushing forward front Manassas Junction across the Turnpike. Jackson has large train, which certainly should be captured. Give me you views fully; you know the country much better than I do. Come to gather in this direction with you command, but call back what has advanced thus far.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
August 29, 1862-2.30 p. m.
Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va.:
Any further news? Does Colonel Devin mean that sound of firing was heard in direction of Warrenton, as stated, or in direction of Warrenton Junction?*
A. LINCOLN.
*See p. 732. +See p. 758.
AUGUST 28, 1862-2.40 p. m.
Colonel HAUPT, Alexandria, Va:
Yours received. How do you learn that the rebel forces at Manassas are large, and commanded by several of their best generals?
A. LINCOLN.
ALEXANDRIA, VA., August 28, 1862.
(Received 2.45 p. m.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
From a full conversation with Colonel Scammon I am satisfied that the enemy is in large force between us and Pope. One of his surgeons, who was taken and released, saw Jackson, A. P. Hill, and three other generals. At about 5 p. m. yesterday the re was heavy cannonading in direction of Manassas. it is my opinion that any movement made from here must be in force, with cavalry and artillery, or we shall be beaten in detail. Can you find a squadron to go to Vienna, via Lewinsville, and ascertain whether enemy there? The right of our line of works on this side the river should be most carefully watched and pickets well out on all roads. Vedettes should extend at least to lewinsville and Prospect Hill - if possible to Meridian Hill and on the ridge thence to Dranesville. It is of vital importance to know what there is near Vienna at once. The impressions I receive from Scammon are corroborated form other sources. I don't see how McDowell can well be at Gainesville. It is of vital importance to know what there is near Vienna at once. The impressions I receive from Scammon are corroborated from other sources. I don't see how McDowell can well be at Gainesville. Have this moment received intelligence from a prisoner, captured the other night and just escaped, that he saw Jackson, Stuart, and Minke [?]; that the enemy were 30,000 strong in vicinity of Manassas and being re-enforced constantly. I suggest that you take into consideration the propriety of Pope falling back via Davis', Spiggs', and Bradley's Fords, &c., between the Occoquan and Potomac, and rejoined vie Wolf Run Shoals, Occoquan, &c., our best troops here advancing, say to-morrow morning or to-night, if ready, so far as Fairfax, Brimstone Hill, and Wolf Run Shoals, to cover the movement. I do not think it now worth while to attempt to preserve the railway. The great object is to collect the whole army in Washington, ready to defend the works and act upon the flank of any force crossing the Upper Potomac. If Pope makes this movement, steps must be taken at once to build pontoon bridges over the Occoquan.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
ALEXANDRIA, VA., August 28, 1862 - 3 p. m.
(Received 3.10 p. m.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
Have just talked with the prisoners who escaped from Bristoe and Manassas. There is no doubt that Jackson, Ewell, Stuart, and A. P. Hill are there. The man tells a very straight story. He heard them say that they passed within 4 miles of Pope's pickets. I will push everything to get this command ready to move with effect in any direction.
Information is coming in more rapidly. I have that we hill be well posted by evening.
I think we need definite information in direction of Vienna.
GEO. G. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
August 28, 1862. (Received 3.15 p. m.)
General I. McDOWELL, Commanding:
GENERAL: I am directed by the general commanding to say that the enemy has retreated in the direction of Centreville, or the right of that place, form here, and that he wishes you to pursue in that direction.
You had best, perhaps, keep somewhat to the north of Centreville, say in the direction of Plum Valley or Gum Spring. Find out, if possible, by your cavalry were he is. In searching for him with your cavalry you had better mass it and put a battery of artillery with it.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. L. ELLIOTT,
Brigadier-General and Chief of Cavalry.
P. S. - Go light, and if you think it desirable send your trains in this direction.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C., August 28, 1862 - 3.30 p. m.
Major-General McCLELLAN, Alexandria:
Not a moment must be lost in pushing as large a force as possible toward Manassas, so as to communicate with Pope before the enemy is re-enforced. I directed General Barnard to report to you, and do not know where he is. In Barnard's absence Whipple can tell you about the garrisons of the forts. No message from Pope has reached here.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
WASHINGTON, August 28, 1862.
I think you had better place Sumner's corps as it arrives near the fortifications, and particularly at the Chain Bridge. The principal thing to be feared now is a cavalry raid into this city, especially in the night-time. Use Cox's and Tyler's brigades and the new troops for the same object, if you need them. Porter writes to Burnside from Bristoe, 9.30 a.m. yesterday, that Pope's forces were then moving on Manassas, and that Burnside would soon hear of them by way of Alexandria. General Cullum has gone to Harper's Ferry, and I have only a single regular officer for duty in the office.
Please send some of your officers to-day to see that every precaution is taken at the forts against a raid; also at the bridge. Please answer.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
CAMP NEAR ALEXANDRIA, August 28, 1862 - 4.45 p. m.
(Received 6.15 p. m.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
Your dispatch received. Neither Franklin nor Sumner's corps is now in condition to move and fight a battle. It would be a sacrifice to send them out now. I have sent aides to ascertain the condition of the command of Cox and Taylor, but I still think that a premature movement in small force will accomplish nothing but the destruction of the troops sent out.
I report that I will lose no time in preparing the troops now here for the field, and that whatever orders you may give after hearing what I have say will be carried out.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
FALMOUTH, VA., August 28, 1862.
Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
News from Warrenton Junction as follows:
Porter's, Heintzelman's, and Banks' corps were at Warrenton Junction this a. m. at 7, and under orders to move and moving in the direction of Manassas Junction and Gainesville. All the movements seem to be quiet and the army in good condition.
The following dispatch just received from Colonel Devin. I await a reply from you before answering him:
BARNETT'S FORD - 4.15 p. m.
General PARKE:
All is quiet at the fords at this date. Are any more troops to move up from Fredericksburg to-night? Are we to continue to watch all fords from Rappahannock eastward, and have to look for any enemy by the roads leading from the direction of Manassas to these fords? There is no force at my ford now that can hold it. My reasons for asking are that some of my men returned from General Pope's army and had a fight yesterday; and if the enemy retreated as reported, will they not come this way?
THOS. C. DEVIN,
Colonel.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
FALMOUTH, VA., August 28, 1862 - 5.40 p. m.
Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
If we are ordered to fall back it should be by way of Aquia Creek.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General, Commanding.
MANASSAS JUNCTION, August 28, 1862 - 10 p. m.
(Received 6.45 p. m., August 29.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
As soon as I discerned that a large force of the enemy was turning our right toward Manassas, and that the division I had ordered to take post there two days before had not yet arrived there from Alexandria, I immediately broke up my camp at Warrenton Junction and Warrenton and marched rapidly back in three columns.
I directed McDowell, with his own and Sigel's corps and Reynolds' division, to march upon Gainesville by the Warrenton and Alexandria pike; Reno and one division of Heintzelman's to march on Greenwich,
and with Porter's corps and Hooker's division I marched back to Manassas Junction. McDowell was ordered to interpose between the force of the enemy which had passed down to Manassas through Gainesville and his main body moving down form White Plains through Thoroughfare Gap. This was completely accomplished, Longstreet, who had passed through the Gap, being driven back to the west side. the forces sent to Greenwich were designed to support McDowell in case he met too large a force of the enemy. The division of Hooker marching toward Manassas came upon the enemy near Kettle Run in the afternoon of the 27th, and after a sharp action routed them completely; killing and wounding 300, capturing their camps and baggage and many stand of arms. This morning the command pushed rapidly to Manassas Junction, which Jackson has evacuated three hours in advance. He retreated by Centreville and took the turnpike toward Warrenton, but was met 6 miles west of Centreville by McDowell and Sigel. Late this afternoon, a severe fight took place, which was terminated by darkness. The enemy was driven back at all points, and thus the affair rests. Heintzelman's corps will move on him at daylight from Centreville, and I do not see how it is to escape without heavy loss. Reno is at Centreville, and will for the present remain there, with Fitz John Porter at Manassas. Banks, with most of our railroad trains, is at Kettle Run, where the bridge was burned. I desire that a strong construction corps be sent at once to Bull Run to build the bridge, and at the same time push forward and build the bridge at Kettle Run, so I can bring back the trains to Manassas. The damage to the road is not great; the check the enemy has received will certainly delay him long enough for us to get our trains back.
We have captured 1,000 prisoners, many arms, and one piece of artillery.
I will communicate with you further in the morning.
I wish forage and provisions sent immediately as far as the railroad is unobstructed, and let me know where that is.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
FALMOUTH, VA., August 28, 1862 - 10 p. m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Alexandria:
A messenger just in from General Porter - left him at 10.30 a. m. to-day at Bristoe Station - reports the bridge and station house at that place burned. An engagement took place near there yesterday between Hooker and a portion of Jackson's force, which resulted in the withdrawal of the enemy, leaving their killed and wounded on the field. Our loss reported from 300 to 500; enemy's about the same. Warrenton Junction and Bealeton were being evacuated by our troops, who are moving toward Gainesville and Manassas Junction. He reports heavy firing in the direction of Hay Market this morning, which lasted for more than an hour. This is all verbal information, and I cannot vouch for it. I still hold the upper fords with a small cavalry force. Is this right?
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
Numbers 66. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, Near Bull Run, August 28, 1862-10 p.. m.
Major-General HEINTZELMAN:
GENERAL: General McDowell has intercepted the retract of the enemy. Sigel is immediately on his right, and I see no possibility of his escape. I have instructed Kearny to push forward cautiously at 1 o'clock to-night until he drives in the pickets of the enemy, and to assault him vigorously at daylight in the morning. It is of the last importance that Hooker shall march at 3 o'clock to-night, taking the turnpike from Centreville to Warrenton, and resting on that road 1 1\2 miles beyond Centreville, as a reserve for Kearny. Send a copy of this dispatch to Hooker immediately; and I beg you particularly to see that Hooker marches at the time specified, even if he should have to do so with one-half of his men. I shall rely upon this.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
AUGUST 28, 1862 - 10.45 p. m.
General McDOWELL:
GENERAL: From prisoners taken to-night there is no doubt that Jackson's main force is in our immediate front. Our position is not tenable, and we shall fall back toward Manassas, with the expedition of meeting forces sent to our support. If Ricketts should attempt to join us he might be cut off unless he falls back by the way of Greenwich. Prisoners report Jackson has 60,000 or 70,000 men.
Gibbon's brigade was pretty badly cut up - Colonels O'Connor, Cutler, and Robinson being wounded, Major May killed.
Doubleday's brigade also suffered severely.
Colonel O'Connor has just died.
RUFUS KING,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 12, Part 1, Various Pages.
After capturing the Union supply depot at Manassas, Jackson retired west of town to Stony Ridge. There he waited as elements of his command gradually arrived, with Longstreet still to the west at Thoroughfare Gap. Pope believed he would be able to attack Jackson before Longstreet arrived, and set about trying to fix his exact location. Arriving at Manassas early in the day, Pope discovered Jackson had withdrawn. This lead Pope to believe Jackson was headed back to the Valley. Late in the afternoon King's Division was moving east along the Warrenton Pike when Jackson's artillery opened fire on it, bringing on the Brawner's Farm engagement. Jackson had realized he had to do something to prevent Pope from retiring to strong defensive positions around Centreville, awaiting the rest of McClellan's forces. Even though the odds were against him, Jackson likely believed a bold posture would discourage Pope from being too aggressive before Longstreet could arrive.
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