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

In answer to your note requesting us to state what we knew of the capture of Manassas Junction by our forces last summer, and the part our regiment enacted in that affair, we respectfully send the following statement:

Our regiment and the Twenty-first Georgia started from Bristoe Station about nine P. M., and marched toward the Junction, passing by the cavalry about one mile from that place. Our regiment was drawn up in line on the right of the railroad, and the Georgia regiment on the left. When we reached the first redoubt, which had been thrown up by our forces whilst the place was in our possession last year, 1861-‘62, we were fired upon by musketry and artillery, with canister. The order was immediately given to charge the place, which we did, receiving several volleys of canister before we reached it. The enemy left their guns, which we took, and the regiment was employed for several hours after in gathering up prisoners and searching through the various buildings of the place. This was about half past 1 o'clock A. M. The cavalry did not enter the place until some two hours after, by which time we had secured a large number of prisoners, besides many negroes. Our regiment was kept in the place all night. Several companies were detailed to guard the prisoners and perform picket duty. The cavalry had nothing to do at all with the capture of the place, and if General Stuart's cavalry were under fire, they must have taken the grape which passed over us as intended for themselves.

The undersigned, officers of the Twenty-first Georgia regiment, were present and participated in the capture of Manassas Junction on the night of the twenty-sixth August last. After a fatiguing march, arrived at Bristoe Station about night, and then recommenced the march to Manassas Junction with the Twenty-first North Carolina regiment, commanded by Brigadier-General Trimble. We attacked and captured Manassas Junction about twelve o'clock, this regiment charging and capturing a battery of artillery, four pieces, and about seventy prisoners, including a Lieutenant-Colonel and several commisioned officers. We were fired into with shell, canister, and musketry, which we returned and then charged. We placed pickets out and guarded the approaches of the Junction on the left side, which were maintained until after day. About sunrise Stuart's cavalry arrived in the town. We had not previously seen them, nor any other troops, except those of our brigade.

General Trimble: As a question has been raised as to whom is due the honor of capturing Manassas, I do with pleasure, General, state that I was present with your brigade, in which my regiment, the Twenty-first North Carolina, was, on the night of the capture of Manassas Junction, which took place, I think, on the twenty-sixth of August last. About ten or eleven o'clock P. M., I went, with my regiment, beyond the railroad junction proper, till they reached the first redoubt on the railroad, which our forces had thrown up in 1861, and there remained. The regiments marched on, on either side of the railroad, and had not proceeded more than a few hundred yards, when the enemy opened fire upon the brigade. Shortly after this, I started back to Bristoe Station to bring forward the ambulances, which had been left behind. I had gone back fully half a mile this side west of the junction proper, and at least a mile and a quarter in rear of where I left your brigade, when I was halted by a cavalry picket, which was composed of members of the Sixth Virginia cavalry. In conversation with them, they asked me whether the Junction had been captured, etc., and told me their regiment was stationed near there, which I approached and saw. This was the nearest point to the Junction at which I saw any cavalry.

Yours, very respectfully,