The Star also contains some severe statements on the slow movements of Gen. FRANKLIN’S Division which were open to criticism in Washington to-day. According to the accounts of those last from the battle-field, the belief there was that Jackson was aiming to get off from POPE in the direction of Aldie. The Star doubts this.
A dispatch is published from Capt. MASSER, late Commissary in charge of Centreville, announcing his arrival there with 624 paroled prisoners.
The Star contains an urgent call for nurses, for whom prompt railroad transmission has been ordered by the War Department.
Previous News in Washington From the Washington Star on Friday Evening
Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 30
We have information that satisfies us that the rebel force that suddenly appeared between the position of the army of Gen. POPE, and at Bristor and Manassas, on Tuesday night last, was the army corps of JACKSON, and STUART’S independent cavalry corps. They consisted of infantry and artillery, and marched about thirty thousand strong from near Waterloo, on the head waters of the Rappahannock, around by White Plains to Manassas, about forty miles in two days, without wagons, tents, blankets, or even knapsacks, thus leaving their baggage of every description to be transported by wagons, with the other army corps of LEE’S following behind them.
Instead of fighting merely a portion of STUART’S Cavalry at Manassas, on the day before yesterday, TAYLOR’S brigade were actually confronted by a greater portion of Jackson’s corps d’armee, Maj. Gens. JACKSON, EWELL, TALIAFERRO, A. P. HILL, and STUART, and the General and Chief, Robert LEE, and his son, Brig. Gen. FITZHUGH LEE, being present at Manassas during the battle.
Yesterday, at 1 o’clock P.M. JACKSON’S advance of cavalry had collected their own wounded of the action of the day before with TAYLOR, if not their wounded of the engagement on the same day with HOOKER, and also the prisoners they took from TAYLOR.
In the afternoon, about 800 of this cavalry force under STUART in person, moved down from Fairfax Court-house to Vienna.
HOOKER’S battle, of the day before yesterday, was with EWELL’S division, and was a gratifying success.
Maj. Gen. POPE, by 91/2 o’clock yesterday morning, had concentrated his very large army, so as to badly interfere with the calculations upon which the rebel Generals must have ventured their bold and extraordinary movement.
At 4 P.M. yesterday an engagement commenced between POPE and JACKSON’S rear or LONGSTREET’S advance, somewhere about Manassas. If with the former, then HEINTZELMAN’S corps d’armee, or a portion of it, were engaged on our side. If with the latter, then McDOWELL’S or SIGEL, or both, commenced it. It continued through the balance of the afternoon.
We had gotten McDOWELL’S force, including SIGEL’s probably, between JACKSON’S rear and LONGSTREET’S front, and had also all the rest of his army well up within supporting distance. Thus it continued through the balance of the afternoon.
Facts within our knowledge lead to the impression that in twenty-four hours direct communication will have been established between Washington and Maj. Gen. POPE’S army; more especially as there are signs that JACKSON’S army corps is endeavoring to proceed northwardly, as though making for the experiment of opposing the reestablishment of such communications with his immediate front, with Pope’s army practically between him and the other rebel corps d’armee.
We may add that Gen. MCCLELLAN is disposing of his heavy Union force around Washington and Alexandria, and the fortifications, so as to make it play an important part in the eventful drama of the hour.
In the battle of yesterday, the attack certainly came from our side.
Our Correspondence from the Field
The Guerrilla Raid upon the Orange and Alexandria
Railroad
The Attack Near White Plains
Capture of a New York Battery at Manassas
The Fight at Bull Run
Headquarters in the Field Between Alexandria and Bristor
Station, Thursday, P.M., Aug. 28, 1862
I have fortunately been able to obtain some reliable and interesting details of the transactions during Tuesday night and a portion of yesterday (Wednesday) on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and vicinity. Tuesday evening, between 5 and 8 o’clock, five trains of empty cars were captured and mostly destroyed by a rebel cavalry force on the road between Bristor Station and Manassas Junction, and on the same evening the enemy destroyed a bridge across Broad River, and subsequently the bridges across other small creeks on the railroad. There were stationed at Manassas Junction, Tuesday, the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, numbering between 500 and 600 men, Col. WHITE, and the First New-York Battery-10 pieces—with about 300 men to serve them. At 6 o’clock, a dispatch was received by telegraph from Warrenton Junction, directing the cavalry to proceed immediately to White Plains, (15 miles) on the Manassas road, and keep a sharp look out for the enemy, who, it was understood, had crossed the Rappahannock in force on Sunday, and by the way of Jeffersonton and Little Washington, was making his way for some point on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, with a view, no doubt, to divide our forces and isolate the command of Gen. POPE—a position which the commander of the Union forces desired him to take, and a fatal one to the enemy it is certainly believed to be. The Pennsylvania cavalry left for the point directed, but finding none of the enemy at White Plains, at a late hour the corps started to return to the Junction. When within eight or nine miles of the latter place, they found a corps of about 1,000 cavalry, supposed to be commanded by FITZHUGH LEE, drawn up to dispute their further progress. A brisk skirmish took place, when our cavalry cut their way through the rebel ranks, losing a number in killed, wounded and prisoners. There was a kind of running fight kept up until the Junction was reached, at about 1 o’clock A.M. of Wednesday, when the rebels apparently retired satisfied. The cavalry fell back to a position one mile north of the Junction, know as BEAUREGARD’S Headquarters, were under arms all night, without knowing what had transpired at the Junction during their absence at White Plains. In this interval the rebels had fallen upon the F. New-York Artillery by surprise—the officer in command supposing the approac force to be our own cavalry until too late—and captured eight of their guns. This not done, however until after a test of sanguinary resistance, resulting in the killing and wounding of many men on both sides. A member of the Pennsylvania Cavalry, not knowing that the Junction was in the hands of the rebels, walked very deliberately to the camp and finding himself in a trap, coolly asked the first re he met “how things were going,” and in reply the rebel soldier said, “All right—have had lots of fun and plunder.” Our soldier then attempted to set loose a number of Government horses tied in a stable, when an officer said, “That is not one of our men—shoot him.” At about this time the two guns saved from the New-York Batte commenced throwing shell, and this soldier escaped and reached his own command. It was now 7 o’clock Wednesday morning. The rebels occupied the earthworks in the Junction, but after a time advanced from their position and made an unsuccessful attempt to take the remaining guns of the New-York Battery. A running fight was kept up along the line of the railroad, our troops gradually falling back until near mid-day, when at a point one mile south of Fairfax Station, they were met by a force of infantry and artillery under the command of Brig. Gen. TAYLOR, of New Jersey and the rebels were driven back to Manassas Junction forthwith. A fact especially worthy of notice in this connection is, that upon the person of a prisoner captured was found a copy of the identical dispatch sent by telegraph from Warrenton Junction, between 4 and 5 o’clock P.M. of Tuesday, directing the cavalry at Manassas Junction to leave for White Plains, so that they were enabled to attack the place when the least resistance could be offered. It is believed by many that this dispatch could not have been obtained in any other way than through the agency of some employee of the Government.
Of the fight that took place Wednesday afternoon with Gen. TAYLOR’S force, on the road between Manassas Junction and
Bull Run, and at the latter place, but little reliable information can be obtained at this time. The engagement was a sharp and deadly one—the rebels holding their position at night; but those who ought to know what occurred this morning look very good-natured, and hence we, who are in the dark, draw the inference that the rebels got their dessert this morning. The rebel force in action at Bull Run, Wednesday evening, is believed to have been about 5,000 men, principally cavalry and artillery. Our force consisted of ten regiments of infantry, and ten guns. Gen. TAYLOR was so badly wounded in one of his legs, by the explosion of a shell, that the leg was amputated to-day. The Eleventh and Twelfth Ohio Regiments, it is said, suffered the most—the latter having, according to a statement of a member, eighty wounded and twelve killed. The wildest rumor was circulated in Alexandria to-day about the result of the fight yesterday and this morning, but there is no occasion for any alarm. A force of men, left the vicinity of Alexandria early this morning for the scene of action—a force which, with that under Gen. POPE’S immediate command, is sufficient to crush a very respectable force of the enemy. I shall send forth additional details as soon as anything reliable can be obtained. The excitement was somewhat intensified in Alexandria last night, by the 12th Virginia Cavalry rushing into the city in a panic; and the excitement was again renewed this morning by the return of a train of cars that started for Manassas Junction. The train was fired upon when fifteen miles out and returned.
I escaped from the Rappahannock just at the right moment. Had I been 20 minutes later on Tuesday night, I should have been captured by the rebels. The train that kept us company all the way up was nabbed. It is supposed that JACKSON had nearly his whole force near White Plains. If so there is no escape for them as far as I can see. POPE must have 200,000 well-disciplined troops south of JACKSON. There are 75,000 fresh troops encamped about Washington, and then there is an immense force of tried men—say 50,000 men—between this point and JACKSON’S position. Gen. MCCLELLAN reached Alexandria Wednesday morning, and was at the telegraph office writing dispatches—orders—nearly all night. He can write with facility with either hand. To-day he is confined to his room by reason of slight indisposition. The rebels captured a saddle of mine at Manassas Junction, and a small bundle of papers and clothing. They were placed on the train just behind the one in which I took passage, by mistake. I hope that HALLECK’s infamous order about correspondents will be modified soon. It is very unsatisfactory to be compelled to obtain information as we do now. The Tenth New-York Cavalry, 750 men (new corps), is now passing to the front. They are the finest set of men, and best mounted, in the service. They elicit the admiration of every one.
New regiments are rolling in upon us here almost every hour in the day—quite as fast as they can be accommodated. Three hundred paroled prisoners, I suppose, left Washington yesterday for Dixie, and Fortress Monroe. But these matters you get by telegraph.
The report in the Tribune of the fighting on the Rappahannock are, for the most part, grossly erroneous.
The Operations of Gen. Taylor’s Brigade at Bull Run and Vicinity
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Jackson Completely Cut Off on Thursday
By General Hooker and Kearny
Fairfax Court House, Friday, Aug. 29, 1862
In my last I gave you a correct and somewhat detailed account of the operations of the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and First New-York Battery at Manassas Junction and vicinity, on Wednesday, the 27th, down to the time when they were relieved by reinforcements. To continue in order as the events occurred, Brig. Gen. TAYLOR, in command of the New Jersey Brigade, 1,600 strong—all infantry—left Alexandria early on Wednesday morning, to reinforce the command Manassas Junction. When one mile north of Bull Run Bridge, they found the track obstructed by the debris of a destroyed train of cars, and, disembarking, proceeded on foot toward Manassas Junction. Upon arriving in sight of the latter place, they saw the Stars and Stripes flying, and heard the roar of cannon; as the flag was there and no shots were directed toward Gen. TAYLOR’S column, that officer concluded that our forces were firing upon a force of the enemy beyond, and consequently pressed forward at a double-quick. Too late the discovery was made that the troops at the Junction were rebels, and that the raising of the Stars and Stripes, and the aiming of their guns in an opposite direction was a ruse of the enemy. When within half gunshot distance, the rebels opened upon Gen. TAYLOR’S command, right, left, and front, with the eight 32-pound cannon which they had captured a few hours before from the New-York Battery. Their cavalry immediately fired a volley and charged at the same time, which for a moment created a panic in our ranks. Gen. TAYLOR speedily obtained order, and gradually fell back to Bull Run Bridge, he having no artillery or cavalry to use against the rebels. At the latter place Gen. TAYLOR was reinforced by the arrival of the Eleventh and Twelfth Ohio Volunteers—the latter a cavalry corps—and quite a brisk fight took place, when the rebels were finally repulsed. Gen. TAYLOR was wounded in the leg while gallantly rallying his men against a superior force of the enemy, composed of cavalry and artillery. Late at night, the commander of our forces, learning that the rebels had received large re-inforcements, fell back to Fairfax Station, and at 11 o’clock at night moved on to this place, as the advance of a large force which left Alexandria on Thursday morning. The rebels had disappeared.
It is alleged that the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry acted in the most scandalous manner at Bull Run, and the bulk of the regiment made a rapid retreat toward Alexandria. To the truth of this, however, I cannot vouch.
Jackson Cut Off
The movements on Thursday, the 28th, were more important than any that have taken place during the present conflict. Gens. HOOKER and KEARNY with their commands advance upon the rear of JACKSON and have forced him to where he is completely cut off, and must, with his whole force, be captured and destroyed unless some stupendous error is made on our side. JACKSON will probably get into Washington somewhat sooner than he expected, and in a manner less agreeable than he anticipated.
There is heavy firing northwest of this place this morning, and it is supposed that our force has compelled Jackson to face about and fight.
What the Historians Say
The second battle at Manassas—known also as Manassas, Second Bull Run, Manassas Plains, Groveton, Gainesville and Brawner’s Farm—occurred on August 28-30, 1862, In Prince William County, Virginia. It was the fifth and largest of the six battles in the Northern Virginia Campaign, which took place from June through September, 1862.
The principal commanders were Maj. Gen. John Pope commanding the Union Army forces and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson commanding the Confederate Army. The estimated casualties were 13, 830 and 8,350 respectively.
In order to draw Pope’s army into battle, Jackson ordered an attack on a Federal column that was passing across his front on the Warrenton Turnpike on August 28. The fighting at Brawner’s Farm lasted several hours and resulted in a stalemate. Pope became convinced that he had trapped Jackson and concentrated the bulk of his army against him. On August 29, Pope launched a series of assaults against Jackson’s position along an unfinished railroad grade. The attacks were repulsed with heavy casualties on both sides. At noon, Longstreet arrived on the field from Thoroughfare Gap and took position on Jackson’s right flank. On August 30, Pope renewed his attacks, seemingly unaware that Longstreet was on the field. When massed Confederate artillery devastated a Union assault by Fitz John Porter’s command, Longstreet’s wing of 28,000 men counterattacked in the largest, simultaneous mass assault of the war. The Union left flank was crushed and the army driven back to Bull Run. Only an effective Union rearguard action prevented a replay of the First Manassas disaster. Pope’s retreat to Centreville was precipitous, nonetheless. The next day, Lee ordered his army in pursuit. This was the decisive battle of the Northern Virginia Campaign and was of major significance in the intensification of the war.
RETREAT OF THE ARMY OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK, CO
MMANDED BY GENERAL POPE, THROUGH THE TOWN OF CENTREVILLE AFTER THE BATTLE OF SECOND BULL RUN (FORBES). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
8
Antietam
The Great Battle that Encouraged Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation
AUTHOR’S COMMENTARY
Ridicule was a weapon the press on both sides of the war used particularly well. Truthfulness would suffer as a result. The New York Times took aim at Stonewall Jackson and his men just prior to the battle at Antietam, describing Jackson and his men entering Harpers Ferry, which they had just taken: “(He was) dressed in the coarsest kind of homespun, seedy and dirty at that, uniform, wearing an old hat which any Northern begger would consider an insult to have offered him. In his general appearance, he was in no respect to be distinguished from the mongrel, barefooted crew who followed his fortunes.” Hardly an objective analysis of what was then a conquering army.
A week later, the Charleston Mercury put a northern general in its sights. Focusing on George McClellan, it took aim at his claim of victory at Antietam as a geneological flaw. George Bagby, a pre-war physician who certainly knew better and the paper’s Richmond correspondent, writing under the pseudonym, Hermes, wrote that McClellan’s father, also a physician, was “a braggart and fibber” for having claimed that he had extirpated the parotid gland. “Drs. Gibson and Physick proved by repeated dissections of the dead body that the extirpation of this gland was an utter impossibility: but old Dr. McClellan stuck to his fib until death. General George has long ago announced the morality of lying in war.”
It is obvious that “Hermes” took liberty with the truth. The parotid gland was first successfully extirpated by a McClellan other than George McClellan’s father. Dr. John McClellan of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, performed the operation in 1805–fifty-seven years before Antietam.
The Words of War Page 11
