American Historical Ephemera and Photography

RUGGLES, Col. George D. ( 1833-1904). Manuscript document signed ("Geo. D. Ruggles"), as Colonel & Chief of Staff of the Army of Virginia under General John Pope. "Head Quarters Army of [Virginia] / Warrenton Junction." 27 August 1862. 4pp, 5 x 7 3/4 in. (chipping and small losses along edges, creasing, light soil).

Unnumbered "General Orders" issued the day before the Second Battle of Bull Run. Generals McDowell, Sigel, and Reynolds were ordered to Gainseville, "so as to reach Gainseville if possible to-night," while Generals Heintzelman and Reno were ordered to Greenwich. General Porter was to remain at Warrenton Junction until relieved by General Banks, and then immediately push towards Gainesville and Greenwich to assist in the operations on the right wing. General Banks was then given a lengthy list of orders, including transport of sick from the hospital in Warren Junction, assuming charge of the trains and covering their movements towards Manassas Junction, loading rail cars with public and private stores, destroy trains and stores if there is possibility they may fall into enemy hands, and all the while "keeping in constant communication with Maj Gen Porter on his right."

While General Banks was not directly engaged at Second Bull Run, Porter was - and with disastrous consequences for his military career. Porter's decision to disregard an order from Pope resulted in his being relieved of his command, and ultimately convicted of disobedience and misconduct at court-martial and dismissed from the Army.