Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

General: I have the honor to furnish the following summary of events in which my command participated immediately preceding and subsequent to the second battle of Manassas, or, as it should be more properly termed, the battle of Groveton Heights, August thirtieth, 1862. My command had hardly recrossed the Rappahannock, as narrated in my last, when that portion of it left on outpost duty on the river became engaged with the enemy, who had advanced to the opposite bank. It was soon apparent that the enemy meditated the destruction of the Waterloo Bridge, the only bridge over the stream then standing. Appreciating its importance to us, I directed the sharpshooters of the two brigades to be sent to its defence, and the command of this party, numbering about one hundred men, devolved, by selection, upon Colonel T. L. Rosser, Fifth Virginia cavalry, whose judgment in posting his command enabled him to prevent the destruction of the bridge in spite of desperate attempts to reach it, and held possession all day and night against infantry and artillery, until the next day, when he turned over his position and the bridge, intact, to a regiment of infantry sent to relieve him. During the day, I sent Captain J. Hardeman Stuart, my signal officer, to capture the enemy's signal party at View Tree, an eminence overlooking Warrenton, and establish his own flag instead — the sequel shows with what success. Colonel Munford's regiment, Second Virginia cavalry, was detached for temporary service with General Jackson. That night (twenty-fifth) I repaired to the headquarters of the commanding General, and received my final instructions to accompany the movement of Major-General Jackson, already begun. I was to start at two A. M., and, upon arriving at the brigades that night, at one A. M., I had reveille sounded, and preparations made for the march at two. In this way I got no sleep, but continued in the saddle all night. I followed, by direction, the route of General Jackson, through Amissville, across the Rappahannock, at Hinson's Mill, four miles above Waterloo, proceeded through Orlean, and thence on the road to Salem, till, getting near that place, I found my way blocked by the baggage trains and artillery of General Jackson's command. Directing the artillery and ambulances to follow the road, I left it, with the cavalry, and proceeded by farm roads and by-paths, parallel to General Jackson's route, to reach the head of his column, which left Salem and The Plains early in the morning for the direction of Gainesville. The country was exceedingly rough, but I succeeded, by the aid of skilful guides, in passing Bull Run Mountain without passing Thoroughfare Gap, and, without incident worthy of record, passed through Haymarket and overtook General Jackson near Gainesville and reported to him. Ewell's division was in advance, and