Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Major-General F. J. Porter, Warrenton Junction: General: The Major-General Commanding directs that you start at one o'clock to-night, and come forward with your whole corps, or such part of it as is with you, so as to be here by daylight to morrow morning. Hooker has had a very severe action with the enemy with a loss of about three hundred killed and wounded. The enemy has been driven back, but is retiring along the railroad. We must drive him from Manassas and clear the country between that place and Gainesville, where McDowell is. If Morrell has not joined you, send him word to push forward immediately; also, send word to Banks to hurry forward with all speed to take your place at Warrenton Junction. It is necessary on all accounts that you should be here by daylight. I send an officer with this despatch who will conduct you to this place. Be sure to send word to Banks, who is on the road from Fayetteville, probably in the direction of Bealton. Say to Banks, also, that he had best run back the railroad train to this side of Cedar Run. If he is not with you, write him to that effect.

By command of General Pope.

P. S.--If Banks is not at Warrenton Junction, leave a regiment of infantry and two pieces of artillery as a guard till he comes up, with instructions to follow you immediately upon his doing so.

If Banks is not at the Junction, instruct Col. Clary to run the trains back to this side of Cedar Run, and to post a regiment and section of artillery with it.

By command of General Pope.

Major-General Kearny: At the very earliest blush of dawn push forward with your command with all speed to this place. You cannot be more than three or four miles distant. Jackson, A. P. Hill, and Ewell are in front of us. Hooker has had a severe fight with them to-day. McDowell marches upon Manassas Junction from Gainesville to-morrow at daybreak. Reno upon the same place at the same hour. I want you here at day-dawn, if possible, and we shall bag the whole crowd. Be prompt and expeditious, and never mind wagon-trains or roads till this affair is over. Lieut. Brooks will deliver you this communication. He has one for Gen. Reno and one for Gen. McDowell. Please have these despatches sent forward instantly by a trusty staff-officer, who will be sure to deliver them without fail, and make him bring back a receipt to you before daylight. Lieut. Brooks will remain with you and bring you to this camp. Use the cavalry I send you to escort your staff-officer to McDowell and Reno.

Major-Gen. Mcdowell: At daylight to-morrow morning march rapidly on Manassas Junction with your whole force, resting your right on the Manassas Gap Railroad, throwing your left well to the east. Jackson, Ewell, and A. P. Hill are between Gainesville and Manassas Junction. We had a severe fight with them to-day, driving them back several miles along the railroad. If you will march promptly and rapidly at the earliest dawn of day upon Manassas Junction, we shall bag the whole crowd. I have directed Reno to march from Greenwich at the same hour upon Manassas Junction, and Kearny, who is in his rear, to march on Bristow at daybreak. Be expeditious and the day is our own.

Major-General Banks, Warrenton Junction: General: Major-General Pope directs me to say that as soon as the railroad trains and all public property shall have been safely run back from Warrenton Junction, you will move your command back to Kettle Run Bridge, where you will find the railroad obstructed and the railroad trains stopped.

You will there take the same measures to save the public property from attack by the enemy as directed in copy of General Orders from these headquarters, sent to you yesterday through Major-General Porter.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed)

Col. Clary, Chief Quartermaster Army of Virginia: Major-General Pope directs that all the wagon trains be kept closed up and close in rear of the troops. You will accordingly give instructions to the various subordinate quartermasters, including regimental quartermasters, to keep their trains closed and immediately in rear of the troops.

Please see that this order is executed.

By command of Major-General Pope.

(Signed)

Surgeon McParlin, Medical Director Army of