Falmouth. Get all the information you can from Porter and Heintzelman about the condition of things in their front and in front of Pope, and communicate freely.

A. V. COLBURN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

AUGUST 28, 1862-2.40 p. m.

Colonel HAUPT, Alexandria, Va:

Yours received. How do you learn that the rebel forces at Manassas are large, and commanded by several of their best generals?

A. LINCOLN.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
August 29, 1862.

Generals HEINTZELMAN, RENO, and SIGEL:

If you find yourselves heavily pressed by superior numbers of the enemy, you will not push matters further. Fitz John Porter and King's division of McDowell's corps, are moving on Gainesville from Manassas Junction, and will come in on your left. They have about 20,000 men. The command must return to this place to-night or by morning, on account of subsistence and forage.

JNO. POPE,

Major-General, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, D. C.,

August 29, 1862-2.30 p. m.

Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va.:

Any further news? Does Colonel Devin mean that sound of firing was heard in direction of Warrenton, as stated, or in direction of Warrenton Junction?*

A. LINCOLN.

FALMOUTH, August 30, 1862-12.20 a. m.

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

Your dispatch of to-day [yesterday] was to have been answered by a duplicate of the one sent General Halleck, but by mistake the office at Washington was not notified to send it to you. I take it for granted that you saw it. Another one to General Halleck this moment+ give more full information.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

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*See p. 732. +See p. 758.

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