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Your troops at Manassas and between there and Bristow will withdraw to Centreville.
By command of Major-Gen. Pope.
(Signed)
Washington, Aug. 31, 1862--11 A. M.
Major-Gen. 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 despatch 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.
(Signed) headquarters army of Virginia, camp near Centreville, Aug. 31, 1862.
[Circular.]
Commanders of Army Corps will forthwith establish suitable grand guards in front of the positions they respectively hold, and have outposts thrown forward which shall furnish a line of sentinels covering the entire army.
Those on the flanks will furnish a grand guard for the flanks.
The advanced position this side of Cub Run will only be held as an outpost, and the division now there will be withdrawn.
By command of Major-Gen. Pope.
(Signed) Circular to corps commanders.
headquarters army of Virginia, Centreville, Aug. 31, 1862--8.30 A. M.
General: The Major-General Commanding the Army of Virginia directs me to instruct you to take measures immediately to bring forward and distribute ammunition for your command.
1. Men should be selected to guide the wagons to the troops to be supplied, to report to Lieut.-Col. Smith, A. D.C., at these Headquarters.
2. A report of the amount and kind of ammunition required in your command should be made to Lieut.-Col. Smith.
3. Empty wagons should be collected and sent to report to Lieut.-Col. Smith.
With great respect, General, your obedient servant,
(Signed) headquarters army of Virginia, Centreville, Aug. 31, 1862.
[Circular.]
Commanding officers of Army Corps will send back to Alexandria all wagons appertaining to their trains, except those absolutely necessary to haul subsistence stores and ammunition from Fairfax Court-House to this place for their respective corps.
This movement will be under charge of Col. Clary, Chief Quartermaster, Army of Virginia.
By command of Major-Gen. Pope.
(Signed) headquarters army of Virginia, Centreville, Aug. 31, 1862--10.45 A. M.
Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief: Our troops are all here, and in position, though much used up and worn out. I think perhaps it would have been greatly better if Sumner and Franklin had been here three or four days ago; but you may rely upon 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 reconnoissance in 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.
(Signed) Special orders, no.--.
headquarters army of Virginia, Centreville, Aug. 31, 1862.
Carroll's brigade of Ricketts's division will proceed at once to Fairfax Station, and take post as a guard for commissary stores at that point.
The commanding officer of these troops will report, upon his arrival at Fairfax station, to Col. E. G. Beckwith, Chief Commissary, Army of Virginia.
By command of Major-Gen. Pope.
(Signed) headquarters army of Virginia, Centreville, Aug. 31, 1862.
Commanding Officer Forces at Fairfax Court-House: Sir: Major-Gen. Pope directs you at once to send two regiments of infantry and two pieces of artillery to escort the wagon train now en route to Alexandria, as far as Cloud's Mills.
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
(Signed) Centreville, Aug. 31
dear General: Your despatch of eleven A. M. has been received, and I thank you for your considerate commendation.
I would be glad to have 