The following is transcribed from Harper's Weekly Journal of Civilization, dated September 13, 1862:

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​The Army of Virginia - The Rebels at Manassas

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          On the evening of 28th the enemy's cavalry appeared at Manassas Station. The troops engaged numbered, according to all accounts, nearly two thousand men, and were a portion of Colonel Fitzhugh Lee's forces, which made the attack on Catlett's Station a few days previous. The attack appears to have been first made on a train of cars at Bristow, about four and a half miles west of Manassas; last the train, putting on extra speed, escaped. The rebel cavalry then made a dash on Manassas, where they were partially checked by the Eleventh New York battery. The resistance, though gallant, was ineffectual, and the rebels destroyed every thing within their reach - the railroad track, the cars, the telegraph wires, and all the Government stores and buildings. The place appeared in have been undefended, save by three or four companies of infantry and the single battery of undisciplined troops, who were unable to make any defense.

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They Are Driven Back

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          The following dispatch from General Pope explains the course he pursued:

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Manassas Junction, August 28 - 10pm

To Major-General H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief:

          As soon as I discovered that a large force of the enemy was turning our right, toward Manassas, and that the division I had ordered to take post there two days before had not yet arrived from Alexandria, I immediately broke up my camp at Warrenton Junction and Warrenton, and marched rapidly back in three columns.

          I directed McDowell, with his own and Sigel's corps, to march upon  Gainesville by the Warrenton and Alexandria pike; Reno and one division of Heintzelman to march on Greenwich; and, with Porter's corps and Hooker's division, I marched back to Manassas Junction.

          McDowell was ordered to interpose between the forces of the enemy which had passed down to Manassas, through Gainesville, and his main body, moving down from White Plains through Thoroughfare Gap. This was completely accomplished, Longstreet, who had passed through the Gap, being driven back to the west side.

          The forces to Greenwich were designed to support McDowell in case he met too large a force of the enemy. The division of Hooker, marching toward Manassas, came upon the enemy near Kettle Run on the afternoon of the 27th, and, after a sharp action , rented them completely, killing and wounding three hundred, capturing camps and baggage and many stand of arms.

          This morning the command pushed rapidly to Manassas Junction, which Jackson had evacuated three hours in advance. He retreated by Centreville, and took the turnpike toward Warrenton. He was met six miles west of Centreville, anad took the turnpike toward Warrenton. he was met six mile west of Centreville by McDowell and Sigel late this afternoon. A severe fight took place, which was terminated by darkness. The enemy was driven back at all points, and thus the affair rests.

          Heintzelman's corps will move on him at daylight from Centreville, and I do not see how the enemy is to escape without heavy loss. We have captured one thousand prisoners, many arms, and one piece of artillery.

John Pope, Major-General

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The Second Battle of Bull Run

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The following dispatch explains itself:

Head-Quarters, Field of Battle

Groveton, Near Gainesville, August 30, 1862

 

To Major-General Halleck, Commander-in-Chief, Washington, D.C.:

           We fought a terrific battle here yesterday with the combined forces  of the enemy, which lasted with continuous fury from daylight until after dark, by which time the enemy was driven from the field, which we now occupy.

          The troops are too much exhausted to push matters; out I shall do so in the course of the morning, as soon as Fitz John Porter's corps comes up from Manassas.

          The enemy is still in our front, but badly used up.

          We have lost no less than 8000 men killed and wounded, and from the appearance of the field, the enemy have lost at least two to our one. He stood strictly on the defensive, and every attack was made by ourselves.

          Our troops have behaved splendidly.

          The battle was fought on the identical battle-field of Bull Run, which greatly increased the enthusiasm of our men.

          The news just reaches us from the front that the enemy is retreating toward the mountains. I go forward at once to see.

          We have made great captures; but I am not able yet to form an idea of their extent.

John Pope

Major-General Commanding

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Another Battle on 30th

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          The fighting was renewed on Saturday between General Pope and the enemy, who been considerably reinforced. The battle was a sever one, the rebels gaining the advantage and compelling General Pope to fall back to Centreville, which he did in good order. Franklin's corps reached him at this point on Saturday evening, and General Sumner's division was rapidly marching up to join him. He was expected to make another assault on the enemy on 31st, with the fresh troops thus added to his army, but there was very little fighting on that day, not more than an occasional skirmish. The army was in fine condition and good spirits. The position of General Pope is represented as the strongest in the vicinity of Washington. rebel scouts have penetrated as far as Langley's station, in the vicinity of Chain Bridge; but it is said that all necessary precautions have been taken to prevent a surprise of the capital in that direction.

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Present Situation

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          At the time we write (noon on September 2), the Army of Virginia, reinforced by the bulk of the Army of the Potomac and other troops in considerable numbers, lies intrenched on the heights of Centreville. General Banks is understood to be at Manassas Junction. The rebels made no attack on 31st August or 1st September, and appear to be waiting for Pope in make the next move in the game. McClellan is at Alexandria, in command of some remains of his army. Burnside is at Aquia Creek, having just evacuated Fredericksburg. Troops are pouring into Washington at the rate of several the brand of the day.

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