Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-12-20

flnQlnS IL doubtful whether We could
hold the Rappahannock long enough to
effect. the junction of the two armies,
had directed part Of the peninsula forces
to land at Alexandria, and move out by
railroad as rapidly as possible. AS soon
as I heard that the enemy had turned
Gen, Pope's right flank and forced him to
change his front, l ordered the remainder
of the Army of the Potomac to Alexan-
dria, and directed Gen. Burnside to pre-
pare to evacuate Fredericksburg and Aqua
Greek. | determined, however. to hold
this position as long as possible for base
of future operations.
Gen. Pope's dispositions at this juno
ture were we'll planned. The corps of
Mcdowell and Sigel, and the Pennsylva-
MIA Reserves under Reynolds, were pushed
forward to Gainesville. Reno and Kearney
were directed upon Greenwich while
Hooker's division was sent against Ewell
along the railroad. Unfortunately, how
ever, 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 sharp engagement en-
sued. This gallant division drove Ewsll
a distance of FIVE miles, the enemy leav.
ing their dead and many of thir wounded
on the field. AS Mcdowell, Slgel, and
Reynolds had reached their position, there
was 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. Por-
ter to be at Bristoe's Station by daylight
on the morning of the 2sth, with Morrell,
and also directed him to communicate to
Banks the order to move forward to War
renton Junction. All trains were ordered
this side of Cedar Run, and to be protect
| ed by a regiment of infantry and section
of artillery. For some unexplained rea-
sons, Porter did not comply with this or
der, and his corps was not in the battles
of the 2StE and Goth.
Heintzelman's corps pressed forward to
Manassas on the morning of the 2Sth, and
forced Jackson to retreat across Bull Run
by the Centerville turnpike. Mcdowell
had succeeded in checking Lee at
Thoroughfare Gap, but the litter took the
road from Hopevile to Newmarket, and
fastened to the relief of Jackson, who was
already in rapid retreat. A portion of
McDowell's corps encountered the retreat.
ing column on the afternoon of the 28th,
near the Warrenton turnpike, and Sc.
we're but successful engagement ensued.-
jackson was again 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 was closed.
1t was renewed the next morning, and af-
ter another days hard fighting, our forces
fell back behind Bull Run, the enemy not
attempting any pursuit.
Two days later, however, he threw &
considerable force between Chantilly and
Germantown, to turn Pope's right
Hooker dislodged them after short bat
severe engagement in which Brig. Gems
Kearny and Stevens, two of our very best
officers, were killed. Pope's army had
been reintoI ced by the corps of Franklin
and Sumner, and no further apprehensions
were felt for is safety.
During the operations of the previous
week, of which we received very favora.
BILE but not reliable accounts, every effort
was made to push forward supplies and
reintorcements to Gen. Pope's army. The
! troops from the peninsula were order not
to wait for transportation, but to march
Immediately to the field Of battle. Some
of the corps moved with becoming acti7i.
ty, but the delays of Others were neither
creditable nor excusable.
Our losses in these battles were very
heavy, both in life and materials, but as
no official reports have been received, ex-
cept brief sketch from Gen. Pope,
marked exhibit No. 4, have no means of
ascertaining their extent. Gen. Pope was
transferred to another department before
the reports of his subordinates could
be received; probably they will soon be
banded in.
Most of the troops actually engaged in
these battles fought with great bravery,
but some of them could not be brought in
to action at all. Many thousands strag-
ged away from their commands, and it is
said that not a few voluntarily surrendered
to the enemy, so as to be paroled prison.
cry of war.
In order to reorganize the different
corps, get the stragglers back into their
ranks, and to supply deficiencies of am.
munition, clothing, &c. caused by recent
lossea, 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
now second in command of the united
forces, applied to be relieved, and was
transferred to another department.
Although this short and active cam
paign was, from &C uses already referred to,
less successful than we had reason to ex-
pect, it had accomplished the great and i'm
portant object of covering the capital Till
troops could be collected for its defence.
Had the army of the Potomac arrived a
| few days earlier, the rebel army could
have been easily defeated, and perhaps de.
stroyed.
Seeing an attack upon Washington
would now be futile, Lee pushed his main
army across the Potomac for raid into
Maryland and Pennsylvania. Gen. Nc
Clellan was directed to pursue him with
all the troops which we're not required
for the defence of Washington Several
corps were Immediately pushed out in OBJ.
servation at Jamestown, Rockville, and
| Leesboro', and most of his army was in
motion by the 5th of September. A por-
ton of it entered Frederick on the - b.
AS this campaign was to be carried with
IN the department commanded by Major
Gen. Wool, l directed Gen. Mcclellan to
assume control of all troops within his
reach without regard to department lines.
The garrlsons Of Winchester and Martins.
burg had been withdrawn to Harper's
| Ferry and the cOmmondinr oH;oo, &c RI of