Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-09-12
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Tine Battles Before WRshinRton
Con. POPe's Report.

Inc cincinnati Tunes Of Wednesday eyeI
ing, September 10, contains the following docr
ment, which 1t calls "the official report of GEL
PoPE OF the movements Of the Army of VII
ginia," though the Times says "tbe Cover
ment has refused to receive i. as On of1clt
document" or to place II on file In the Wa
Department. It's, properly, therefore, mereI
the unofficial statement Of JOHN PoPE. II Is q
follows:
! have the honor to submit the following
brlef sketch OF the operations OF the army
since the 9Th of August:
! moved from Sperrysville, Little Washing
ton and Warrenton, with the corps of Bank
and Sigel, and one division of Mcdowell.
corps, numbering in all thirty thousand men
to meet the enemy, who had crossed the Rapi
dan, and was advancing on Culpepper. Th,
movement toward Gord0nsville had completely
succeeded In drawing off large force from
Richmond, and 10 relieving the army of the
Potomac from much of the dangers whict
threatened its withdra wal from the Peninsula.
The action Of August 9ih, at Cedar Noun
tain, with the forces under jackson, which
compelled bis retreat across the Rapidan, made
necessary still further reinforcements OF the
enemy from Richmond, and by this time, IL be.
| Ing apparent that the Srmy of the Potomac was
evacuating the Peninsula, the whole force OF
the enemy around Richmond was pushed for
ward with great rapidity to crush the army OF
Virginia, before the forces evacuatng the Pen.
insula could be united with IL.
| remained at Cedar Mountain, and still
threatened to cross the Rapidan, until the 18th
OF August, at which time Gen. Robert Lee had
assembled in my front, and within eight miles
nearly the whole Of the rebel army. As soon
as l ascertained this fact, and knew that the
army OF the Potomac was no longer in danger
drew back my whole force across the Kappa,
hammock, on the night of the 18th end day OF
the 18th, without loss of any kind, and one
day In advance Of Gen. Lees proposed move.
ment against me.
The enemy Immediately appeared in my front
at Rappahannock Station, 10 pass the river at
that bridge, snd the numerous fords above and
below, but without success. The line of the
Upper Rappahannock which had been ordered
to hold, that the enemy might be delayed long
enough in his advance upon Washington, to en-
able the forces from the Peninsula to land and
effect junction with me, was very weak, as II
could be crossed at almost any point above the
railroad bridge with good fords. By constant
vigilance and activity, and much severe fighting
for three days, the enemy was gradually forced
around from the railroad crossing to Waterloo
bridge, west of Warrenton.
Meantime my force had been much reduced
by loss in battle, and by fatigue and exposure
80 that although had been Joined by detach
ment under Gen. Reno, and the other division Of
McDowelrs corps, my force barely numbered
forty thousand men. On the 22d heavy rain
fell, which rendered the fords of the river I'm
passable for twenty. four hours. As soon as
disco Tered this, concentrated my forces ant
marched rapidly upon Sulphur Springs anc
Waterloo bridge, to drive back the forces of th,
enemy which had succeeded In crossing ct thss,
points. This was successfully done and th.
bridges destroyed. passed one day, or rather
part Of one, at Warrenton and beyond.
The enemy stlll continued to move SLOWLY
around along the river, making every ford with
artillery and heavy forces of infantry, 60 that il
was impossible for me to attack him, even with
the greatly Inferior forces under my command
without passing the river over fords strongly
guarded, 10 the face OF very superior numbers
The movement Of jackson toward White
Plains, and 10 the direction of Thoroughfare
Gap, while the main body of the enemy con.
fronted me at Sulphur Springs and Waterloo
bridge, was we'll known to me, but relied con.
fdently upon the forces which had been as.
sured would be sent from Alexandra, and one
heavy division which had ordered to take post
in the woods at Manassas Junction.
was entirely under the belief that these
would be there, and IL was not until found my
communications intercepted, thas was unde-
ceiyed knew that this movement was no raid
and that 1t was made by not less than twenty
five thousand men. By this time the army
corps Of Heintzelman, about ten thousand
aSe hah
division of il, think, on the very day Of this
only forty rounds of ammunition to the man,
without wagons, and even the field and general
officers without horses
Fitz John Porter also arrived at Bealton Sta
tion, near Rappahsnnock river, With one Of his
divisions, four thousand FIVE hundred strong;
while bis other division was still at Barrett'e
and Kelley's Fords. directed that corps, about
eight thousand strong, to concentrate immedi-
ately at Warrenton Junction, where Heintzel-
man already was. This was accomplished on
the evening Of the Goth. AS soon as it became
known to me that Jackson was on the railroad,
1t became apparent that the Upper Rsppahsn
mock was no longer tenable. 90
! could not detach sufficient force to meet
jackson, and at the same time attempt to con.
front the main body of the enemy. accord.
ingly at once evacuated Warrenton and War
renton Junction, directing Mcdowell, with his
own CORPS aud Sigel's and the division at Rey-
nolds's, to march rapidly by the turnpike upon
Gainesville, go as to intercept any reinforce
ments coming to the enemy BY the way of Thor
oughfare Gap, and instructipg Gen. Reno, with
his command, and Kearney, with one division
of HeintEelman's, to march on Greenwich, so
as to support Mcdowell, in case Of necessity.
With Hooker's division Of Heintxslman's
corps, moved along the railroad upon Msnas
sse Junction, near Kettle run. Hooker came
upon tho advance of Ewell's rebel division on
the afternoon Of the 9Th. "A severe action
took place, which terminated st dark, Ewell be-
ing driven from the field with the loss Of his
camp and three hundred killed and wounded
The unfortunate oversight of not having more
than forty rounds Of ammunition, became at
once alarming At nightfall Hooker had but
about five rounds 10 the man left. As soon as
learned this, sent back orders to Gen. Fitz
John Porter to march with bis corps at O'Clock
that night, 90 as to be with Gen. Hooker at day
light in the morning. s. s.raa..
The distance was nine miles, and he received
the dispatch at $3.50 o'clock, but did not reach
the ground until after ten O'Clock next morning,
He can probably explain better than can the
reason Of this delay. Fortunately Gen. Hook
er had handled the enemy SO severely the even.
ing before, and the movement of Mcdowell had
began to be go apparent, that the enemy, fearful
of being surrounded, had retired precipisately
frorl Manassas junction; directing his retreat
through Centerville, as Reno, Mcdowell and
Kearney had made the road through Gainesville
imprAoticable. -''lo
/ Immediately pushed forward to Manassas
and thence 10 Centerville. which place was oc-
cupied by Rearney that night, only few hours
after the enemy had left IL. Gen. Reno had