Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-03-12
stsehtSa PIKE, Sd s.sd ID IN, dirtehrd ci osastsss

nos DIVISION the troops OF Jackson which had been
driven to Manassas Junction The rebel Gen Longsreef
with the largest portion of the enemys force west
of the Bull Run Mountains and approaching the pas
ssge through Thoroughfare Gap unite with Jackson BY
looking the map il will thus be perceived that mellow
ELL with his whole command including Sieels corps and
Reynoss DIVISION nteposed between Longstreet ana
jackson, while the latter being closely pressed by
Gen. Pope, within striking distance from the direction OF
Bristow and Greenwich.
From Gainesville highway and the Manassas railroad
lead directly to Thoroughfare Gap @hch Is hye mi es
tant Another highway leads to Manassas Junction,
CHI fly the south side of the railroad The Warrenton
Ike passes from Gainesville through GrOveon TO Centre
vile. On the night Of the 9th Gen Mcdowell received
I'd .rs from Gen Pore march Manassas, follows
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA.
BristO@ $ ation august p, 1853 o'etoek r M
ing march rapidly on Manassas Junction with your whole
force, resting your righ the Manassas Gap Railroad
m are s and We
had fight with them to-day, driving them btck
several miles along the railroad you VIII march promptly
ton shall bax The whole crowd have directed Reno
march from Greenwich at the hour upon Manassas
junction. Kearny who is in his TO march on Bris
tow al daybreak Be expeditions and the day is
JOHN PoPE, Major General Commanding
The order was received about two o'clock the
ing Of the Sh snd the directed to be made
Immediately Without following the succeeding move
ments in all their details the court wi direct their ntten
ton to the single point in the conduct of Gen Mcdowell
which they cannot pass without disapproval
In the afternoon of the 25h at At O'Clock the several
corps aud divisions placed follows Ricketts, dvi
sion of McDowels corps was IN front and on the east
side Thooughfare Gap holding in check the advance OF
Lonasreets force Sges corps had been turned toward
the Warrenton pike and Centrevile by way of New Mar
ket Reynolds division ON the road leading to Ma
mas sas Bethlehem Church Kings division, OF Nc
DoweI's corps was between the Manassas railroad and
the Warrenton pike aud about two miles southwestward
ly from Groveton smsll portion of Jacksons forces
Groveton-probabiy lees than brigade-but
the main portion Ceotrsve and marching toward
Sudey Springs, and bearing from that point toward Grove
ton, the Warrenton pike to which point and on
the pike collected least fifty transportation wagons
of the rebel train headed toward Gainesville
At the hour 90 P. M. Gen. Pope transmitted the fol-
lowing order to Gen. Mcdowell, which received at
about the hour of o'clock 2. M:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY VIRGINIA,
Manassas Junction, August %, 1851 20 I. NJ.
Major Gen. Mcdowell; selt you despatch few mi,
Since then have received your note of this
ing will this evening push forward Reno to Gainesville,
the enemy Centevle which do believe ascertain
if you about this do with you carry the
to to Gum surug you consider it too hazard
lug forward from Manassas junction the urnpke.
Jackson mas arge Tram Whlen sRoaid eertal oe cap
much better than do Come further in this direction
with command but call back what has advanced thus
john POPE,
Major General Commanding |
Shortly after this order had been dispatched another order
follows by Gen. Pope to Gen Mcdowell which
was received at d 2. M:
MAJ. GEs McDowELLr The enemy is Iep ed in
the other side of Bull Run, the Ohio and Alexandria rail
upon Cent eve Immediately, slsn Keany and Reno
will advance Hooker Please march Immediately
with your command directly upon Cenevie from where
you are. Jso, PoPE,
Major General Com mmandng.
Gen. Mcdowell Immediately turned back Kings division
to the Warrenton pike, routs for Centrevle be
then joined Reynolds division, and, passing Bethlehem
Church, turned that division northwardly towards the
Warrenton PIKE by the Sudey Springs road. He then
alnAL F,rsth rE NJ
Station being distant about three miles eastwardy from
the point where he had parted from Reynolds division He
then separated himsef more than ten miles from Ricketts,
div son and certainly not less than six miles from Kings
DIVISION being the two divisions composing his corps and
in special manner under his command
Just at dark, while Gen Mcdowell was at Manassas
Station Kings division, then marching easwardly along
the pike, in collision with the enemy Groveton
and battle ensued. The enemy driven back
This battle occurred near TO point from which
ton OF rebel artillery lsupposed 10 form portion Of
c,nnoeriDg party) had sheed Gen Mcdowell and CHI OK
ed the advance Of his troops from to hours during
the early part of the day they changing direction
to the right toward Manassas In the the night
Cen King, on his responsibility he tesfes and
without communicating with Gen Mcdowell retired from
the battlefield to point two three miles east of Manas
Station At about o'clock in the evening If the 28h
Gen. Ricketts, had retired with his division from Thor
ouehore Gap to Gainesville. Being informed of the in.
tended movement of Gen. King Gen Ricketts, retired with
his division to the Of Manassas early in the
morning Of the 29th.
The grave error committed by these movements of Nc
Dowels corps cannot be better explained than by ncor-
poratng in this report the following testimony Of Gen
Pope
Question BY the Conrt-Were you aware that Kings
dvs had fight with the enemy evening Of that day
and after the fght fell back to Manasrasl
dRSyer 1t reported u about light nine O'Clock
at night the 18th that King div sion, Of NcDowes
Rad met the enemy reteang from Cenrevle ard
after faht had remained masters of he field still
neposng tween Jacksons forces and the main body
the This report brought 10 by sa officer
think OF Gen. Kings Upon receiving this informRti,
stated several OF staff officers who
possible for Jackson ecaps without very heavy
los il all immediately upon receipt of this intelligence
also di ec.ed General Kesrny, whose division led
Centreye push forward cautiously O'Clock that
enemy and keep himself in close contact during the
night his eft mountain iuroIise and throw
his right e. the north toward the Little ver and ell the
'front.' directed him at the fret blush OF ayght attack
oker Keno woud be with him Immediately day.
ligpr To my surprise ard dis con learn toward
ayght the morning the 18th that Kngs had
been withdrawn in the direction of Manassas Junct
ing the roat to Thoror Gap This withdrawal OF
tnt division made necessary eat change in the
and the position of the troops, and serious and
unlooked mistake ws impressed wi necessity
that that divon should Id s gound during night Of
staff ofce during that night hold his gro nd at all
hazards ard to prevent the retreat Of the AMI
formed him that whole force from the direction Of Gen.
trevle and Manassas junction would fall upon the enemy
daylight
The court adopt the testimony of Gen Pope as faithful
statement Of the facts.
Had Gen. Mcdowell been present with his command at
the time OF these movements Of his corps it could not be
conroyerted that he would be justly held responsible for
Their retreat and the arrangements of the plan
OF battle then formed by Gen. Pope.
What is the explanation Of Gen McDowelPs absence