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

“ [378] not fight,” that they are demoralized by withdrawal from the Peninsula, etc. When such example is set by officers of high rank the influence is very bad among those in subordinate stations.

You have hardly an idea of the demoralization among officers of high rank in the Potomac army, arising in all instances from personal feeling in relation to changes of Commander-in-Chief and others. These men are mere tools or parasites, but their example is producing, and must necessarily produce, very disastrous results. You should know these things, as you alone can stop it. Its source is beyond my reach, though its effects are very perceptible, and very dangerous. I am endeavoring to do all I can, and will most assuredly put them where they shall fight or run away. My advice to you (I give with freedom, as I know you will not misunderstand it) is, that in view of any satisfactory results, you draw back this army to the intrenchments in front of Washington, and set to work in that secure place to reorganize and rearrange it. You may avoid great disaster by doing so. I do not consider the matter except in a purely military light, and it is bad enough and great enough to make some action very necessary. Where there is no heart in their leaders, and every disposition to hang back, much cannot be expected from the men.

Please bring forward cavalry horses to me under strong escort. I need them badly, worse than I can tell you.

(Signed)

Major-Gen. Franklin--General: General Pope directs you to establish your grand guards on the pike from Centreville to Warrenton. An outpost of one regiment of infantry and two pieces of artillery, of Reynolds's division, has been ordered to take post on the same road.

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

(Signed)

To the Officer Commanding the forces around Fairfax Court-House: Gen. Pope directs that you furnish one regiment of infantry as an escort for a wagon-train from Fairfax Court-House to Fairfax station. Lieut. Devens, Ninth infantry, will call for the escort as he proceeds through the town.

I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant.

(Signed)

Major-Gen. Halleck: The enemy is deploying his forces on the Little River pike, and preparing to advance by that road on Fairfax Court-House. This movement turns Centreville, and interposes between us and Washington, and will force me to attack his advance, which I shall do as soon as his movement is sufficiently developed. I have nothing like the force you undoubtedly suppose, and the fight will be necessarily desperate. I hope you will make all preparations to make a vigorous defence of the intrenchments around Washington.

(Signed)

Major-Gen. Mcdowell: You will march rapidly back to Fairfax C. H. with your whole division, assuming command of the two brigades now there, and immediately occupy Germantown with your whole force, so as to cover the turnpike from this place to Alexandria. Jackson is reported advancing on Fairfax with twenty thousand men. Move quickly.

(Signed)

Major-Gen. Hooker: You will at once proceed to Germantown, assume command of the troops arriving at Fairfax Court-House, together with the brigades now under command of Colonels Torbert and Hincks.

By command of Major-Gen. Pope.

(Signed)

Col. A. T. Torbert, commanding Brigade near Fairfax Court-House: Move your brigade at once to Germantown, and join it to the one under Col. Hincks at that place. Major-General Hooker is assigned to the command of the forces arriving at Fairfax Court-House, from Washington, together with those stationed at Germantown.

By command of Major-Gen. Pope.

(Signed)

Major-Gen. McDowell: If you hear a battle raging to-night near Centreville, advance to the north, keeping your communications open with Reno, and near to him; also, by the right, with Hooker, who will advance his left to your right.

By command of Major-Gen. Pope.

(Signed)