Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-08

were well planned. The corps of Mcdowell
and Sigel, and the Pennsylvania reserves, I'M
der Reynolds, were pushed forward to Gaines
vile, Reno and Kearney were directed upon
Greenwich, while Hooker's division was sent
against Ewell along the railroad. Unfortu-
nately, however, the movement was too late,
as a large detachment of Lees army was al
ready east of Thoroughfare Gap. Hooker
encountered the enemy near Kettle Run, and
a sharp engagement ensued. This gallant di-
vision drove Ewell distance of five miles,
the enemy leaving their dead, and many of
their wounded, on the field. AS Mcdowell,
Sigel and Reynolds had reached their posi-
tons, there was now every prospect that
jackson would be destroyed before reinforce
ments could come to his relief
On the evening of the 9th, Gen. Pope or
dered Gen. Porter to be at Bristow's Station
by daylight on the morning of the 28th, with
Morells, and also directed him to commune
cate to Banks the order to move forward to
Warrenton junction. All trains were ordered
this side of Cedar Run, and to be protected
by a 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 29th and
10Th.
Heintzelman's corps pressed forward to
Manassas on the morning of the 2Sth, and
forced Jackson to retreat across Bull Run h-
the Centreville turnpike. Mcdowell had sue
ceeded in checking Lee at Thoroughfare Gap,
but the latter took the road from Hopeville to
Newmarket, and fastened tie the relief of
jackson, who was already in rapid retreat.
A portion of McDowelrs corps encountered
the retreaiing column on the afternoon of the
28th, near Warrenton turnpike and a severe
h,,fc Il Och
attacked on the 29th near the old battle ground
of July, 1861. Knowing that Longstreet was
not distant, he made most desperate stand.
The fight continued nearly all day, and was
terminated only by darkness. We had gained
considerable ground, but nothing was decided
when the battle closed. 1t was renewed the
next morning, and after another days hard
fighting, our forces fell back behind Bull Run
the enemy not attempting any pursuit. Two
days later, however, he threw a considerable
force between Chantilly and Germantown, to
turn Popes right. Hooker dislodged them af-
ter short but severe engagement, in which
Brig. Gems. Kearney and Stevens, two of our
very best officers, were killed. Pope's army
had been reinforced by the corps of Franklin
and Sumner, and no further apprehension was
felt for its safety.
During the operations of the previous week,
of which we received very favorable but not
trustworthy accounts, every effort was made
to push forward supplies and reinforcements
TO Gen. Pope's army. The troops from the
Peninsula were ordered not to wait for trans
portation, but to march Immediately to the
field of battle. Some of the corps moved
with becoming activity, but the delays of 9TH
ers were neither creditable nor excusable
Our losses in these battles were very heavy,
both in life and materials, but as no official re-
ports have been received, except brief
sketch from Gen. Pope, marked Exhibit No.
4, | have no means of ascertaining their ex-
tent. Gen. Pope was transferred to another
department before the reports of his subordi-
mates could be received; probably they will
soon be handed in. Most of the troops ac-
tually engaged in these battles fought with
great bravery, but some of them could not be
brought into action at ALL Many thousands
struggled away from their commands, and it
is said that not few voluntarily surrendered
to the enemy, SO as to be paroed as prisoners
of war.
In order to reorganize the different corps,
get the stragglers back into their ranks, and
to supply deficiencies of ammunition, cloth
ing, etc, caused by recent losses, Gen. Pope
requested and received directions to bring his
army within the defences of Washington,
which were then under the command of Gen.
Mcclellan. This movement was executed on
the night of the Sd, without loss. Gen. Pope,
being second in command of the united forces,
applied to be relieved and was transferred to
another department. Although this short and
active campaign was, from causes already re-
ferred to, less successful than we had reason
to expect, it had accomplished the great and
important object of covering the capital till
troops could be collected for its defence. Had
the army of the Potomac arrived few DAYS
earlier, the rebel army could have been easily
defeated, and perhaps destroyed.