The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-09-15
PORTLAND, ME-, MONDAY MORNING,

on Monday afternoon to take command and
post himself at or in front of Germantown, al
the same time directing Mcdowell to take po-
sition along the turnpike from Centrevie to
Fairfax Courthouse, about two miles west OF
the latter place.
Heintzelman was directed TO post himself in
rear and support of Reno, who was pushed
north of the road, at point about two and a
half miles east of Centreville, and to cover
that road, it being my purpose in the course OF
the night, to mass my command on the right,
in the direction of Germantown, where felt
convinced the next attack of the enemy would
be made
Late in the afternoon of Monday, the enemy
made his demonstration upon Germantown,
but was met by Hooker at that place, and by
Reno, reinforced by Kearney, further west
The battle was very severe, though short, the
enemy being driven back mile with heavy
loss, leaving his dead and wounded. In this
short action we lost two of our most valuable
and distinguished officers, Generals Kearney
and Stevens.
By morning the whole of my command was
massed behind difficult creek. between Flint
Hill and the Warrenton Junction, in front OF
Germantown.
With the exception Of Sumner, the COM
manders OF the army corps of the Army of the
Potomac had continued to inform me that
tucI CoiiiilidiluS WeTc anu liiu ueei ueIlOTaHZ-
ed ever since they left Harrison's Landing
that they,had no spirit and no disposition to
fight. This latter statement their conduct in
the various actions fully contradicted, but
the struggling in those corps was distressing.
The full facts having been reported, | was
ordered, on Tuesday afternoon, TO retire to the
intrenchments near Washington which was
accordingly done on that day and the next, in
good order and without the slightest loss.
Banks, who had been left with the railroad
trains cut off at Bristol by the burning of the
bridge, was ordered to join me on Monday at
Centrevile, which he did on the afternoon of
that day.
This brief summary will explain sufficiently
in detail the whole of the operations OF the for
ces under my command, during sixteen days
of continuous fighting by day and marching
by night.
To confront powerful enemy with greatly
inferior forces, and fight him day by day with
out losing your army; to delay and embarrass
his movements, and to force him, by persistent
resistance, to adopt long and circuitous routes
to his destination, are the duties that have
been imposed upon me. They are of all mill
tary operations, the most difficult and the
most harassing. both to the commander and to
his troops. How far We have been successful
l leave to the Judgment of my countrymen.
The armies Of the Potomac have been united
in the presence and against the efforts of a
wary and vigorous enemy in greatly superior
force to either with no loas for which they did
not exact full retribution.
Among the officers feel bound to mention
with especial gratitude, for their most hearty,
cordial and untiring zeal and energy, are Gen
erals Mcdowell, Banks, Reno, Heintzleman,
Hooker and Kearney. and many Others of in
ferior rank, whom l shall take great pleasure
in bringing TO the notice of the government.
The troops have exhibited wonderful pa
thence and courage, and cannot say too much
for them. JOHN PoPE, Major-General.