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| Second Manassas (Library of Congress) |
HEADQUARTERS OF BATTLE,
Near Groveton, Va., August 30, 1862 - 5 a. m.
Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
We fought a terrific battle here yesterday with the combined forces of the enemy, which lasted with continuous fury from daylight until dark, by which time the enemy was driven from the field, which we now occupy. Our troops are too much exhausted yet to push matters, but I shall do so in the course of the morning, as soon as Fitz John Porter's corps comes up from Manassas. The enemy is still in our front, but badly used up. We have lost not less than 8,000 men killed and wounded, but from the appearance of the field the enemy lost at least two to one. He stood strictly on the defensive, and every assault was made by ourselves. Our troops behaved splendidly. The battle was fought on the identical battle-field of Bull Run, which greatly increased the enthusiasm of our men. The news just reaches me from the front that the enemy is retreating toward the mountains. I go forward at once to see. We have made great captures, but I am not able yet to form an idea of their extent.
I think you had best send Franklin's, Cox's, and Sturgis' regiments to Centreville, as also forage and subsistence.
I received a note this morning from General Franklin, written by order of General McClellan, saying that wagons and cars would be loaded and sent to Fairfax Station as soon as I would send a cavalry escort to Alexandria to bring them out. Such a request, when Alexandria is full of troops and we fighting the enemy, needs no comment.
Will you have these supplies sent without the least delay to Centreville?
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, CAMP NEAR ALEX., VA.,
August 30, 1862 - 9.15 a. m. Major-General HALLECK:
Heavy artillery firing is now in progress in the direction of Fairfax Court-House. There has been a good deal of it for two or three hours. I hear it so distinctly that I should judge it to be this side of Fairfax. Have not been able to ascertain the cause. It seems that the garrisons in the works on north side of Potomac are altogether too small.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
August 30, 1862 - 9.40 a. m.
Major-General McCLELLAN, Alexandria, Va.:
I am by no means satisfied with General Franklin's march of yesterday. considering the circumstances of the case, he was very wrong in stopping at Annandale. Moreover, I learned last night that the Quartermaster's Department could have given him plenty of transportation, if he had applied for it, any time since his arrived at Alexandria. He knew the importance of opening communication with General Pope's army, and should have acted more promptly.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
ALEXANDRIA, VA., August 30, 1862-11.30 a.m.
Honorable ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of the United States:
Our operator has reached Manassas. Hears no firing of importance I have directed part of the 200 riflemen to go out as scouts, make observations, and report constantly. Two or three flashes just seen from Manassas in direction of Centreville.
Our expedition this morning appears to have been successful. We have re-established telegraph communication with Manassas, and if protected will soon have cars running; but the military authorities heretofore have never extended to us the protection that was necessary, and we have assumed the responsibility of going ahead without it. Our telegraph operators and railway employes are entitled to great credit. They have been advanced pioneers, occupying the post of danger; and the exploit of penetrating to Fairfax and bringing off the wounded, when they supposed 20,000 rebels were on their front and flanks, was one of the boldest performances I have heard of.
H. HAUPT.
ALEXANDRIA, VA., August 30, 1862.
FALMOUTH, VA., August 30, 1862-12.30 a.m.
H. W. HALLECK, Commander-in-Chief:
One of my cavalrymen just in from Manassas Junction; left there at 1 p.m.; says our troops in possession and fighting in the direction of Centreville. Our troops driving the rebels before them. There were trains of cars and wagon trains between Catlett's and Manassas, guarded by some of General Banks' corps. The country between here and Catlett's was free from rebels, and my scouts in all directions on this side the river represent the same thing. All that this man says indicates that Pope's men have been successful and are pursuing the enemy. He represents no scarcity of provisions and the men in good spirits. I hope to have more scouts return before morning. My scouts just in from the south side of the river found no enemy, and the indications are that no considerable force of the enemy is approaching this place. I shall learn what officer got up the stampede and report him to you. I have to telegraph to the Secretary of War to-night direct in reference to my medical director, which I hope you will not deem improper. I have withdrawn my advance telegraph station a short distance to a more defensible place, but keep all my pickets where they were.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
WASHINGTON, August 30, 1862 - 2 p. m.
Major-General POPE:
Yours of 5 a. m. is received. All matters have been attended to. Thirty thousand men are marching to your aid.
Franklin should be with you now and Sumner to-morrow morning. All will be right soon, even if you should be forced to fall back. Let your army know that heavy re-enforcement are coming.
Yours, truly,
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of the United States:
It is represented to me that the engagement yesterday evening was very severe, but successful for our arms. Another engagement occurred this afternoon, but I have not yet learned the result.
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, August 30, 1862.
Major-General BANKS, Manassas, Va.:
General Pope's headquarters were at Groveton this morning. You can judge best from the firing where he now is. The enemy this morning was said to be falling back toward the mountains.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
AUGUST 30, 1862-2.06 p. m.
Major-General PORTER,
Commanding Corps:
GENERAL: Our skirmishers report two batteries in position on the hill from which they fired at us this morning, and one battery on our left (their right of that.) The enemy seemed to be swinging around to their right (our left). The skirmishers' fire of the enemy crosses the position occupied by Roberts' brigade. I would not advise the posting of artillery anywhere here near the present position of the division until the enemy are driven from our right. Don't know that I would then, not understanding the ground beyond.
Respectfully,
BUTTERFIELD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
P. S.-One regiment of enemy on right, near their battery in the open.
[AUGUST 30, 1862.]
General MCDOWELL.
I fear for the result, unless you push Sigel up. Our right is also attacked.
F. J. PORTER,
Major-General, Commanding.
MANASSAS, VA., August 30, 1862.
Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,
Alexandria, Va.:
The firing has just commenced again. It is, as I judged, about 9 miles distant, and exactly northwest, which would bring it to a point near Gainesville or New Market.
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, August 30, 1862.
Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va.:
Suspend the movement of your troops, except Williams' cavalry. The transports will remain at Aquia till to-morrow morning. Pope's successes will probably render your presence here unnecessary. He has fought a great battle, and so far successfully.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Alexandria, Va., August 30, 1862 - 5.40 p.m.
General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
Major Hammerstein, of my staff, reports from 2 miles this side of Centerville, at 1.30 p. m., that Franklin's corps was then advancing rapidly. Sumner's corps moved at 1.45 p. m. The orderly who brought the dispatch from Hammerstein states that he learned that the fighting commenced 5 miles beyond Centreville, and that our people had been driving them all day. Hammerstein says all he heard was favorable.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
FALMOUTH, VA., August 30, 1862.
(Received 6 p.m.)
Major-General HALLECK, General-in-chief:
Your last dispatch indicates that we received orders to move from here, but we have received no orders to that effect, and will, as you direct, remain here. We are jubilant over the success of Pope, and hope to hear that he has completely routed the enemy. All is quiet in our front and at the upper fords, excepting the driving in of our pickets at Kelly's Ford I mentioned in my last dispatch. No particulars as yet have been received.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General
Numbers 77. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, August 30, 1862-6 p. m.
General FRANKLIN:
Post your command and whatever other troops you can collect and put them in the fortifications and other strong positions around Centreville, and hold those positions to the last extremity.
By command of General Pope:
GEO. D. RUGGLES,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
Numbers 79. AUGUST 30, 1862-6.30 p. m
General BANKS:
Destroy the public property at Bristoe and fall back upon Centreville at once. Destroy all the railroad property. Your troops at Bristoe will withdraw through Brentsville. Your troops at Manassas and between there and Bristoe will withdraw to Centreville.
By command of Major-General Pope:
GEO. D. RUGGLES,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
HDQRS. THIRD ARMY CORPS, ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
August 30, 1862.
Brigadier General GEORGE D. BAYARD,
Commanding Cavalry Brigade:
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you take your cavalry force (not Duffie's) and proceed on the road from Manassas to Gainesville, for the purpose of ascertaining the enemy's position and condition, and of annoying him if opportunity offers.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ED. SCHRIVER,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
ALEXANDRIA, VA., August 30, 1862-9 p.m.
General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
It is reported by the operator at Manassas that there is skirmishing in the vicinity of Bristoe. May not this indicate an escape of the enemy toward Fredericksburg? I do not understand that we have much force in this direction to oppose such a movement.
H. HAUPT.
Numbers 82. CENTREVILLE, August 30, 1862-9.45 p. m.
Major-General HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
We have had a terrific battle again to-day. The enemy, largely re-enforced, assaulted our position early to-day. We held our ground firmly until 6 p. m., when the enemy, massing very heavy forces on our left, forced back that wing about half a mile. At dark we held that position. Under all the circumstances, both horses and men having been two days without food; and the enemy greatly outnumbering us, I thought it best to draw back to this place at dark. The movement has been made in perfect order and without loss. The troops are in good heart, and marched off the field without the least hurry or confusion. Their conduct was very fine. The battle was most furious for hours without cessation, and the losses on both sides very heavy. The enemy is badly crippled, and we shall do well enough. Do not be uneasy. We will hold our own here. The labors and hardships of this army for two or three weeks have been beyond description. We have delayed the enemy as long as possible without losing the army. We have damaged him heavily, and I think the army entitled to the gratitude of the country. Be easy; everything will go well.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
P. S.- We have lost nothing; neither guns nor wagons.
CENTREVILLE, August 30, 1862.
(Received September 1, a.m.)
[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. Two of Morell's brigades were in action under Butterfield, and two of Sykes' (Buchanan and Chapman), and they did nobly. The latter lost by volunteers firing into them before passing through them. They were not sustained on the right, and had to retire. The Pennsylvania Reserves did beautifully. They show the advantage of being well led by Reynolds, Meade, Seymour, and Jackson. A battery was lost and retaken by them, but again lost after gallant resistance. Warren has only 187 men left-not one missing-and only 3 commissioned officers. We were driven from the field, and here we are, after marching all last night, strongly located in a position which, if the enemy shells, will cause slaughter; but I do not believe he will attack, but get in our rear, and compel us to attack him in well-selected place. The men are without heart, but will fight when cornered. To-day General Pope asked the question of the Government if arrangements had been made to protect Washington in case the army met with a disaster. He said to us (chief of corps present), when the reply was received, that he was glad the Government had decided the question for him, but we were to fight wherever the enemy was-meaning we were not to return to Alexandria, &c., as all forces were coming to us. I believe the decision was a general disappointment, except to him. However, we obey, and do what Halleck thinks is best. Pope says there are political considerations which control, not the safety of the army; but our men will not fight with heart when they know, if wounded (as we cannot retain the field against present odds), they are to be left to the care of the enemy. Pope sent in a flag to-day to get our wounded. I have many officers in their hands, some of the most valuable, from every State. Our wagons are gone, and our artillery and cavalry will not soon be movable. The latter is broken down, and, as Pope says, he has no cavalry, though he has regiments. We have taken very few prisoners (some 400). In return, we have left all our killed and most of our wounded in their hands. The enemy got one battery of six pieces yesterday; I believe it belonged to Reynolds. The enemy took Manassas, one battery, and left one piece spiked and useless. It was left on the ground when we abandoned Manassas. I hear it is claimed we captured it.
We are bivouacking, and, as I have no dinner or supper to-day and no chance of any to-morrow, I will bid you good-by, in the hope of soon seeing you (without being whipped), and that you have plenty to eat. If we return, I hope the forces will be directed to take different roads to the forts, and that they will be well manned and protected by us. I do not wish to see the army back if it can be helped; but I fear it may be kept here at the will of the enemy, to cripple it so that when it does get back it will be so crippled that it cannot defend the forts against the powerful enemy who will hold it here while they cross into Maryland. I may be in error as to their purpose.
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. I expect to hear hourly of our rear being cut and our supplies and trains (scarcely guarded) at Fairfax Station being destroyed, as we are required to stay here and fight. I am glad Couch is coming up on the road. Hope we will have the fight before he gets here, as so much will be saved for another day. I understand the Secretary of the Interior sent out some men to take care of our wounded, and they were much surprised to find that they were in the hands of the enemy. They return with a different impression from what they came. Good night. The bearer will tell you much.
F. J. PORTER,
Major-General.
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 12, Part 2, Various Pages.
The fog on war is on full display. For most of the day reports back to Halleck and McClellan were of Union successes. After the attacks of the previous day, Pope ordered more attacks on Jackson's position. He does not seem to have taken into account the possibility Longstreet had reached the field. Longstreet's Corp, like a door swinging on a hinge, counterattacked and devastated the Union left. In a repeat of 1st Bull Run, darkness foreclosed a complete rout and the Union Army limped back into the defenses of the Capital. Also on display here are hints of the factious nature of the Army, divided as it was between "McClellan Men" and those, like Pope, more popular with the Lincoln administration.
Major-General.
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