Geo. D. Ruggles to and Chief of Staff, August 27, 1862
GENERAL ORDERS, } HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
August 27, 1862.
No. —. Warrenton Junction, August 27, 1862.
The following movement of troops will be made, viz:
Major-General McDowell, with his own and NSigel’s corps and the division of Brigadier-General Reynolds, will pursue the turnpike from Warrenton to Gainesville, so as to reach Gainesville, if possible, tonight.
The army corps of General Heintzelman, with the detachment of the Ninth Corps under Major-General Reno (General Reno leading), will take the road from Catlett’s Station to Greenwich, so as to reach there to-night or early in the morning. Major-General Reno will immediately communicate with Major-General McDowell, and his command, as well as that of Major-General Heintzelman, will support Major-General McDowell in any operations against the enemy.
Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter will remain at Warrenton Junction till he is relieved by Major-General Banks, when he will immediately push forward with his corps in the direction of Greenwich and Gainesville to assist the operations of the right wing.
Major-General Banks, as soon as he arrives at Warrenton Junction, will assume the charge of the trains and cover their movement toward Manassas Junction. Thetrain of his owncorps, under escort of two regiments of infantry and battery of artillery, will pursue the road south of the railroad which conducts into the rear of Manassas Junction. As soon as the trains have passed Warrenton Junction he will take post behind Cedar Run, covering the fords and bridges of that stream, and holding that position as long as possible. He will cause all the railroad trains to be loaded with the public and private stores now here, and run back toward Manassas Junction as far as the railroad is practicable. Wherever a bridge is burned so as to impede the farther passage of the railroad trains, he will assemble them all as near together as possible and protect them with his command until the bridges are rebuilt. If the enemy is too strong before him before the bridge can be repaired, he will be eareful to destroy entirely the trains, locomotives, and stores before he falls back in the direction of Manassas Junction. He is, however, to understand that he is to defend his position as long as possible, keeping himself in constant communication with Major-General Porter on his mght. If any sick, now in hospital at Warrenton Junction, ans not provided for and able to be transported, he will have them loaded into the wagon train of his own corps (even if this should necessitate the destruction of much baggage and regimental property) and carried to Manassas Junction. The major-general commanding the Army of Virginia feels assured that he will discharge these duties with intelligence, courage, and fidelity.
The general headquarters will be with the corps of Major-General Heintzelman until further notice.
By command of Major-General Pope:
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
B.