Letter

Franz Sigel to Thirty-third Day, August 27, 1862

Buckland Bridge, Va., August 27, 1862.

Major-General MCDOWELL, Commanding Third Corps: The First Corps is in bivouac between Gainesville and Broad Run, with the cavalry beyond Gainesville. General Milroy captured about 100 prisoners, stragglers of the rebel army. One brigade formed the rear guard, which was driven back by

, my advance. It seems to me essential that we attack to-morrow, when

it would be necessary to know the relations existing between the different commands here, and to know who will be in command in case of a battle if General Pope or yourself should not be here.

Inasmuch as it is said that another force is said to advance from Salem, under command of General Longstreet, and that Jackson’s troops are very tired and have used a great amount of ammunition, I think they should be attacked at once at Manassas Junction.

Please inform me where General Cox’s command is, and whether there is any hope of his joining me soon.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major-General, Commanding First Corps.

CourtT-Room, Cor. FOURTEENTH ST. AND PA. AVE.,
Washington, D. O., December 30, 1862.
The court met pursuant to adjournment. Present, * * * , and
Maj. Gen. Franz SIGEL, U.S. Volunteers, the witness under examination.
= * Me we H oe He

Editor's Notes
From: Operations in N. Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Pt. 1. Location: Buckland Bridge, Va.. Summary: Major-General Sigel requests clarification on command hierarchy and troop movements while urging an immediate attack on Confederate forces at Manassas Junction during the 1862 Virginia campaign.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 12, Part 1 View original source ↗