[401]
General Lee's despatches.
headquarters Manassas Junction, Nine P. M., Aug. 29, via Rapidan, Aug. 30, 1862.
To President Davis:
So far this army has steadily advanced and repulsed the frequent attacks of the enemy.
The line of the Rappahannock and Warrenton has been relieved.
Many prisoners are captured, and I regret, quantities of stores to be destroyed for want of transportation.
Anderson not yet up, and I hear nothing of those behind.
We have Ewell, Trimble, and Taliaferro wounded — the latter slightly, the others not mortally. To President Davis:
headquarters army of Northern Virginia, Grovetown, via Rapidan, August 30-10 P. M.
To President Davis:
This army achieved to-day, on the plains of Manassas, a signal victory over the combined forces of Generals McClellan and Pope.
On the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth, each wing, under Generals Longstreet and Jackson, repulsed with valor attacks made on them separately.
We mourn the loss of our gallant dead in every conflict, yet our gratitude to Almighty God for his mercies rises higher each day. To him and the valor of our troops a nation's gratitude is due. To President Davis:
headquarters Army North-Western Virginia, Chantilly, Sept. 8, 1862.
His Excellency, Jefferson Davis, President Confederate States of America:
Mr. President: My letter of the thirtieth ult. will have informed your Excellency of the progress of this army to that date.
General Longstreet's division having arrived the day previous, was formed in order of battle on the right of Gen. Jackson, who had been engaged with the enemy since morning, resisting an attack commenced on the twenty-eighth.
The enemy, on the latter day, was vigorously repulsed, leaving his numerous dead and wounded on the field.
His attack on the morning of the twenty-ninth was feeble, but became warmer in the afternoon, when he was again repulsed by both wings of the army.
His loss on this day, as stated in his published report, herewith inclosed, amounted to eight thousand killed and wounded.
The enemy being reinforced, renewed the attack on the afternoon of the thirtieth, when a general advance of both wings of the army was ordered, and, after a fierce combat, which raged until after nine o'clock, he was completely defeated and driven beyond Bull Run.
The darkness of the night, his destruction of the stone bridge after crossing, and the uncertainty of the fords, stopped the pursuit.
The next morning the enemy was discovered in the strong position at Centreville, and the army was put in motion toward the Little River turnpike, to turn his right.
Upon reaching Ox Hill, on the first of September, he was again discovered in our front on the heights of Germantown, and about five P. M. made a spirited attack upon the front and, right of our columns, with a view of apparently covering the withdrawal of his trains on the Centreville road, and masking his retreat.
Our position was maintained with but slight loss on both sides.
Major-General Kearny was left by the enemy dead on the field.
During the night the enemy fell back to Fairfax Court-House, and abandoned his position at Centreville.
Yesterday, about noon, he evacuated Fairfax Court-House, taking the roads, as reported to me, to Alexandria and Washington.
I have, as yet, been unable to get official reports of our loss or captured in these various engagements.
Many gallant officers have been killed or wounded.
Of the general officers, Ewell, Trimble, Taliaferro, Fields, Jenkins, and Mahone, have been reported wounded; Colonels Means, Marshall, Baylor, Neff, and Gadberry killed.
About seven thousand prisoners have already been paroled; about the same number of small arms collected from the field, and thirty pieces of cannon captured, besides a number of wagons, ambulances, etc. A large number of arms still remain on the ground.
For want of transportation valuable stores had to be destroyed as captured, while the enemy, at their various depots, are reported to have burned many millions of property in their retreat.
Nothing could surpass the gallantry and endurance of the troops, who have cheerfully borne every danger and hardship, both on the battle-field and march.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, His Excellency, Jefferson Davis, President Confederate States of America:
R. E. Lee, General.
[Chantilly is north of Centreville, and northwest of Fairfax Court-House, about six or eight miles from each. The “letter of the thirtieth” referred to in the above, was not received. The Little River turnpike leads from Middleburgh to Alexandria, and intersects the Centreville turn-pike about a mile this side of Fairfax Court-House. Germantown is on the Little River turnpike, about half a mile west of its intersection with the Centreville turnpike.] The following correspondence will illustrate the thoroughness of the enemy's defeat in the battle of the thirtieth. It bears date, as will be seen, of the next day:
Centreville, August 31, 1862.
sir: Many of the wounded of this army have been left on the field, for whom I desire to send ambulances.
Will you please inform me whether you consent to a truce until they are cared for?
I am, sir, your obedient servant, headquarters army of Northern Virginia, August 31, 1862.
Major-Gen. John Pope, U. S. A., Commanding, etc.
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 nor a suspension of military operations of this army.
If you desire to send for your wounded, should your ambulances report to Dr. Guilet, Medical Director of this army, he Major-Gen. John Pope, U. S. A., Commanding, etc.
