August 31, 1862 (Monday): "...Should this army be destroyed"

Colonel Fletcher Webster (son of Daniel Webster), killed at Manassas (NPS)

August 31, 1862.
    Commandants of brigades will detail a staff officer to at once proceed to General Pope's headquarters in Centreville, and apply to Colonel Smith for a sufficient quantity of ammunition to allow 60 rounds per man. Let there be no delay; the boxes must be carried by hand; there are no wagons to be had.
By command of Major-General Kearny:
G. W. MINDIL,

FALMOUTH, August 31, 1862-9 a.m.
General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN:
    Have you heard anything from Pope? Telegraph me in cipher.


    A. E. BURNSIDE.


McC., August 31, 1862-9.50 a.m.
Major General AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Falmouth:
    Dispatch received. Pope fought all day yesterday, but retired in evening to Centreville. He did not gain a victory, I fear. We have little definite information.


    A. V. COLBURN,
   Assistant Adjutant-General.

Numbers 83. 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. Couch's division goes to-day. Part of it went to Sangster's Station last night with Franklin and Sumner, who must be now with you. Can't you renew the attack? I don't write more particularly for fear dispatch will not reach you. I am doing all in my power for you and your noble army. God bless you and it.
    Send me news more often if possible.


    H. W. HALLECK,
    General-in-Chief.

Numbers 87. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, Centreville, August 31, 1862-10.45 a. m.
Major-General HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
    Our troops are all here in position, though much used-up and worn-out. I think it would perhaps have been greatly better if Summer and Franklin had been here three or four days ago; but you may rely on our giving them as desperate a fight as I can force our men to stand up to.
    I should like to know whether you feel secure about Washington should this army be destroyed. I shall fight it as long as a man will stand up to the work. You must judge what is to be done, having in view the safety of the capital.
    The enemy is already pushing a cavalry reconnaissance in our front at Cub Run-whether in advance of an attack to-day I do not yet know. I send you this that you may know our position and my purpose.


    JNO. POPE,
    Major-General, Commanding.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
August 31, 1862.
Major General 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 a suspension of military operations of this army. If you desire to send for your wounded, should your ambulances re port to Dr. Guild, medical director of this army, he will give directions for transportation.
    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,


Major-General HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
    DEAR GENERAL: Your dispatch of 11 a. m. has been received, and I that you for considerate commendation. I would be glad to have it in such shape that the army might be acquainted with it. We shall fight to the last. The whole secession army engaged us yesterday. I had a letter from Lee this morning. Ewell is killed. Jackson is badly wounded, and other generals of less note wounded. The plan of the enemy will undoubtedly be to turn my flank. If he does so he will have his hands full. My troops are in good heart.
    I need cavalry horses terribly. Send me 2,000 in lots and under strong escort. I have never yet received a single one.


    JNO. POPE,
    Major-General.

ALEXANDRIA DEPOT, VA.,
August 31, 1862-1.45 p.m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief, and
Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,
Camp near Alexandria:
    I am just informed that Manassas is being evacuated again by our men and that Banks' forces are moving toward Centreville. I know very little of what is going on, but this movement would seem to indicate large re-enforcements of the enemy from the direction of the Rappahannock, particularly as our cars and engines at and near Bristoe were destroyed by our own men this morning. As our forces occupy Centreville, Fairfax, and Vienna, and in fact the whole line north of the railroad, there should be but little difficulty in our retaining possession of the triangle formed by the line of railroad from Bull Run to Alexandria, the steams of Bull Run, Occoquan, and the Potomac. If the bridges and fords on the Occoquan and Bull Run are guarded and cavalry scouts kept patrolling this triangle no enemy could approach the line of road. A stronger force is required at Bull Run. Our men are at work, and except to have Bull Run Bridge passable by to-morrow morning. Without artillery we cannot defend the bridge against artillery. If the crossings of the Occoquan are guarded, Bull Run Bridge is our most exposed point. Please give a thought to the suggestions.


    H. HAUPT.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Near Alexandria, Va., August 31, 1862-7.30 p.m.
(Received 8.20 p.m.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
    Having been informed that there was some 20,000 stragglers from Pope's army between this and Centreville, all of Gregg's cavalry have been sent to endeavor to drive them back to their regiments. Two hundred of Eighth Illinois Cavalry will be ready in the morning and 250 more as soon as disembarked.       The armament of Fort Buffalo is very incomplete.


    GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
    Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Alexandria, August 31, 1862-10.25 p.m.
(Received 10.55 p.m.)
Major General 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 own house or the office?


   GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
   Major-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C., August 31, 1862-11.30 p.m.
Major-General McCLELLAN, Alexandria:
    General Halleck has gone to bed. I am directed to say he will see you at any time to-morrow morning that will suit your convenience.


    JNO. J. KEY,
    Major and Aide-de-Camp.

Official Records, Series I. Vol. 12, Part 3, Various Pages.

You get a feel for the situation Pope, Halleck, and McClellan faced when you read McClellan's account of 20,000 Union stragglers between Centreville and Alexandria.  Pope is equal parts bravado and panic.  He says if Lee tries to turn his flank he (Lee) will have his hands full, but also asks Halleck if Washington can be defended if his army is destroyed.  Lee is moving Jackson's troops to get around Pope's flank at Centreville.  Halleck is pressing Pope to attack, McClellan's troops coming up are being placed under Pope (much to his dismay), and indecision is the order of the day.