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

[377] 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 badly wounded; 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 ten thousand, in lots, and under strong escort. I have never yet received a single one.

(Signed)

Major-Gen. Sumner: The reconnoitring party of cavalry which you sent out yesterday morning, under Capt. Haight, has, as I am informed, been captured by the enemy's cavalry. It is essential that your right be carefully watched. I desire you at daylight to push a reconnaissance of not less than one brigade, supported if necessary by a second, towards the north of your position to the Little River turnpike and beyond. The direction of your reconnaissance should be as nearly due north as practicable, and should be pushed not less than five miles. It is of great importance that this reconnaissance should be made at an early hour in the morning. The orderly, whom you sent to me left me without any permission, so that I find it very difficult to find your headquarters. Please send him back.

(Signed)

General: The Major--General Commanding directs me to inform you that a large supply of ammunition has arrived since yesterday, say one hundred and twenty wagons, and that near the earthwork close in rear of Centreville an officer will be found charged with its distribution. The ammunition will be kept in the wagons in which it came, so as to be sent forward to the troops, to be supplied immediately when required.

Major-General Commanding, etc.

With great respect, General, your obdt. serv't,

(Signed)

Major-Gen. E. V. Sumner: General: The reconnoissance is only designed to ascertain whether there is any considerable movement of the enemy's infantry toward our right and rear. We have no cavalry — not a horse that can possibly perform service, and it may be necessary, in order to obtain the information I desire, to drive off the enemy's cavalry. I do not care that the brigade shall be pushed further than the Little River turnpike, while skirmishers are thrown still further in order fully to ascertain whether the enemy is making any movement toward Germantown and Fairfax Court-House. I do not wish any engagement brought on at present on that ground, but when the information required shall have been obtained by the brigade, withdraw it.

(Signed)

Gen. Pope: Yours of last evening was received at four A. M. this morning. I want to issue a complimentary order, but as you are daily fighting, it could hardly be distributed. I will do so very soon.

Look out well for your right, and don't let the enemy get between you and the forts. We are strengthening the line of defence as rapidly as possible. Horses will be sent to you to-day. Send despatches to me as often as possible. I hope for an arrival of cavalry to-day.

Yours truly,

P. S.--Acknowledge hour of receipt of this.

Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief: All was quiet yesterday and so far this morning. My men all resting — they need it much. Forage for our horses is being brought up. Our cavalry is completely broken down, so that there are not five horses to a company that can raise a trot. The consequence is, that I am forced to keep considerable infantry along the roads in my rear to make them secure, and even then it is difficult to keep the enemy's cavalry off the roads. I shall attack again to-morrow if I can, the next day certainly. I think it my duty to call your attention to the unsoldierly and dangerous conduct of many brigade and some division commanders of the forces sent here from the Peninsula. Every word and act and intention is discouraging and calculated to break down the spirits of the men and produce disaster. One commander of a corps who was ordered to march from Manassas Junction to join me near Groveton, although he was only five miles distant, failed to get up at all, and worse still, fell back to Manassas without a fight, and in plain hearing, at less than three miles distance, of a furious battle, which raged all day. It was only in consequence of peremptory orders that he joined me next day.

One of his brigades, the Brigadier-General of which professed to be looking for his division, absolutely remained all day at Centreville, in plain view of the battle, and made no attempt to join. What renders the whole matter worse, these are both officers of the regular army, who do not hold back from ignorance or fear. Their constant talk, indulged in publicly and in promiscuous company, is that “the army of the Potomac will ”