Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-12-17

movement, and crossed portion of his
forces at Waterloo Bridge, about twelve
miles above the Rappahannock Railroad
station. Pope directed an attack unon
the forces which had crossed the river
hoping to cut them off, but the enemy
escaped with no great loss. The annexed
telegram from Gen Pope, marked Ex-
hibit No. 3, and dated the 25th. gives
his views of the condition of affairs at
that date. The enemy, however, had not
fallen back, as he supposed, but on being
repulsed at Waterloo Bridge, had moved
further up the river, and entered the val :
ley which lies between the Blue RIDGE
and Bull Run Mountains. The object of
this movement was evidently to get in
Pope's rear, and cut off his supplies from
Washington.
Anticipating this danger, had telegrapf,
ed to Gen Pope on the %: "By no
means expose your railroad communica-
tion with Alexandria. 1t is of the ut
most Importance in sending your supplies
and reinforcements On the Goth | tel
egraphed: "If possible to attack the en-
emy in flank, do so, but the main object
now is to ascertain his position" From
this time till the Both | had no commu-
ncatien with Gen. Pope, the telegraph
lines being cut at Kettle Run by a part
of yackson's corps under Ewell which
had marched around Pope's right and at
tackled his rear
Finding it doubtful whether we could
hold Rappahannock long enough to effect
this junction OF the two armies, ] had di-
rected part of the Peninsula force to
land at Alexandria and move out by rail
road as rapidly as possible As soon as
/ I.l ~, 49, L. j
Gen. Popes right flank and forced him
to change his front, | ordered the remain
der Of the army of the Potomac to Alex
audria, and directed Gen Burnside to
prepare to evacuate Fredericksburg and
Aqua Creek determined, however. to
hold this position as long as possible for
base of future Operations.
Gen Popes dispositions at this juncture
were we'll planned. The corps of Mcdowell
under Reynolds, were pushed forward to
Gainesville, Reno and Kearn y were di-
rected upon Greenwich, while Hooker, 3
division was sent against Ewell along the
railroad Unfortunately, however the
movement was too late, as large detach-
ment Of Lees army was already east of
Thoroughfare Gap. Hooker encountered
the enemy near Kettle Run, and a sharp
engagement ensued. This gallant division
drove Ewell distance of five miles, the
enemy leaving their dead and many Of
heir wounded, on the field As Mcdowell
Sigel, and Reynolds had reached their
positions, there now every prospect
that jackson would be destroyed before
reinforcements could come to his relief
On the evening of the 9th, Gen. Pope
ordered Gen Porter to be at Bristow s
Station by daylight on the morning of the
2Sth, with MorellS and also directed him
to communicate to Banks the order to
move forward to Warrenton Junction All
trains were ordered this side of CedaE
Run, and to be protected by regiment
of infantry, and section Of artillery
For some unexplained reasons Porter did
not comply with this order, and his corps
was not in the battles of the 9th and 26th.
TIE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
Heintzelman's corps pressed forward to
Manassas on the morning of the 18th
and forced jackson to retreat across Bull
Run by the Centerville turnpike. Nc
Dowell had succeeded in checking Lee
at Thoroughfare Gap, but the latter took
the road from Hopeville to New Market
and FASTENED to the relief of Jackson, who
was already in rapid retreat \ portion
of McDowells corps encountered the re-
treating columns on the afternoon of the
2Sth, near Warrenton turnpike, and Sc
we're but successful engagement ensued
Jackson was again attacked on the 2Sth
near the old battle ground OF July, 1861
Knowing that Longstreet was not distant
he made a most desperate stand. The
fight continued nearly allsday, and was
terminated only by darkness. We had
gained considerable ground, but nothing
vas decided when the battle closed. 1t
was renewed the next morning and after
another dav's hard fighting, our forces
/ fell back behing Rull Run, the enemy not
| attempting any pursuit. Two days later,
! however, he threw a considerable force
! between Chantilly and Germantown to
turn Pope right Hooker dislodged
| them after short but severe engagement,
| in which Brigadier Generals Kearney aud
! Stevens, two OF our very best officers, were
| killed Pope's army had been reinforced
| by the corps ofFranklin and Sumner, and
no further apprehenslohs were felt tor Its
safety.
During the operations of the previous
week, of which was received very favora-
bic but not trustworthy accounts, every
effort was made to push forward supplies
and reinforcements 10 Gen. Popes army.
J ne troops from UIlc L elllliSuld NciC VI
/ dered not to wait for transportation. but
/ to march immediately to the field OF battle.
Some Of the corps moved with becoming
activity, but the delays of others were
neither credtable nor excusable. Our los
ses in these battle were very heavy, both
] iB life and materials, but as no official re-
ports have been received, except a brief
/ sketch from Gen. Pope, marked Exhibit
/ No f. | have no means OF ascertalnlng
/ their extent Gen. Pope was transferred
to another department before the reports
| of his subordinates could be received );
I probably they will soon be handed in.
/ Most Of the troops actually engaged in
1 these battles fought with great bravery,
/ but some of them could not b. brought in
to action at all Many thousands strag-
! rled away from their commands, aad 1t is
i said not few voluntarily SGrrendeled ed to
the enemy so as to be paroled as prisoners
| of war.
In order TO reorganize the different
corps, get the straggiers back into the.r
ranks, and to supply deficiencies of amtnu-
milton, clothing, &c, caused by recent los
ses, Gen Pope requested and received di-
rections to bring his army within the de-
fenses of Washington, which were then
/ ,,d -, +ba oo,pn,and of Gen McCleliaD