On August 30th, Confederate artillery positioned between Jackson and Longstreet played havoc with Union attempts to break Jackson's line.
However, there arose some dissension between R.E. Lee and Longstreet over who, exactly, picked the batteries' location. Below are the documents relating to the controversy.
From my written memoranda of the second Manassas:
"After the passage of Thoroughfare Gap, August 29th, General Longstreet entered the turnpike near Gainesville, moving down towards Groveton, the head of his column coming upon the field in rear of the enemy's left flank and within easy cannon shot, took position on the right of Jackson, who at the time -- 11.30 A.M. -- was heavily engaged. General Longstreet, in forming his line of battle, ordered me to place my batteries in position between his line and that of General Jackson. A commanding position, after a rapid reconnaissance, was selected, conforming to General Longstreet's orders, between his line and General Jackson. The batteries of Miller and Squires, of the Washington artillery, were first put in position, and opened at once on the enemy, distant about twelve hundred yards. The enemy's infantry appearing in force immediately in front of these batteries, I ordered forward and crowded into position with Miller and Squires additional guns of Riley's, Bachman's, Anderson's and Chapman's batteries, all of my corps (First corps, Longstreet's), nineteen guns in all-all were at. once engaged. * * * * * * The engagement with the enemy's artillery continued until 3.30 o'clock P.M., when, having silenced them and broken up the advancing line of infantry, the batteries were withdrawn to repair damage and fill the chests, which were nearly empty. The operations on the left were ended for the day. The batteries bivouacked upon the field, the men and animals suffering greatly for want of water."
Extract from Colonel Stephen D. Lee's report of the battle of second Manassas:
"The battalion (S.D. Lee's battalion light artillery) received orders on the evening of the 29th, near Thoroughfare Gap, to march to the front during the night, and, after a tedious march, encamped about dawn on the morning of the 30th on the pike leading from Gainesville to Stone bridge and about two miles from Stone bridge. Soon after daylight, I found that our bivouac was on the battlefield of the previous evening and near our advanced division on picket. The enemy showing every disposition to attack us, upon consultation with Brigadier General J.B. Hood, and at his suggestion, I placed my batteries (four) on a commanding ridge immediately to his left and rear. In the general line of battle this ridge was about the centre, Jackson's corps being immediately on my left and Longstreet's on my right. It was an admirable ridge of over a quarter of a mile, generally overlooking the ground in front for some two thousand yards."
(Note. -- This "admirable ridge" was the identical position which <shv6_217>was selected, occupied and fought upon the day before Colonel Lee reached the battle field).
General Longstreet in his report says:
"Early on the 29th the columns were united and the advance to join General Jackson was resumed. * * * * * * * Colonel Walton placed his batteries in a commanding position between my line and that of General Jackson and engaged the enemy for several hours in a severe and successful artillery duel.
"During the day (30th) Colonel S.D. Lee, with his reserve artillery placed in the position occupied the day previous by Colonel Walton, engaged the enemy in a very severe artillery combat. The result was, as on the day previous, a success."
General Robert E. Lee in his report to the Secretary of War says:
"August 29th, Colonel Walton placed a part of his artillery upon a commanding position between Generals Jackson and Longstreet, by order of the latter, and engaged the enemy vigorously for several hours.
"On the morning of the 30th the enemy again advanced * * The batteries of Colonel Stephen D. Lee took the position occupied the day before by Colonel Walton."
What is contained in the foregoing is, I suppose, sufficient to establish that the fine position selected for the artillery was selected and occupied by artillery of my artillery corps the day before Colonel Lee arrived near the scene of the battle, which he reached only on the 30th, and that he occupied the identical position the day following that upon which my batteries had engaged the enemy in a very severe artillery combat vigorously for several hours. I cannot add to this evidence of the fact that Colonel Lee did not have, and could not have had by any possibility, anything to do with the selecting or securing that splendid position for artillery combat, no matter to whom the credit may belong.
I have hastily and imperfectly written (nothing from memory) what is here for such use as you may be disposed to make of it, but, with the understanding, that I cannot for a moment suppose that Colonel Lee intended to convey the idea that he selected the position I occupied and fought upon when he, with his battalion, was still at Thoroughfare Gap.
With my apology for the unsatisfactory manner I accomplished your wishes and submitting to any correction,
I remain, very truly yours,
J.B. Walton.
General James Longstreet, Gainesville, Ga.
Southern Historical Society Papers
Vol. VI Richmond, Virginia, November, 1878. No. 5.
The Artillery at Second Manassas--
General Longstreet's Reply to General S.D. Lee.: 215-217
Lieutenant Colonel R.H. Chilton, Adjutant General, A.N.V.:
Colonel; -- I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the battalion of artillery under my command in the battle of Manassas Plains, August 30,1862.
The battalion received orders on the evening of the 29th near Thoroughfare Gap to march to the front during the night, and after a tedious march, encamped about dawn on the morning of the 30th on the pike leading from Gainesville to Stone bridge, and about two miles from Gainesville. Soon after daylight, I found that our bivouac was on the battle field of the previous evening, and near an advanced division on picket. The enemy showing every disposition to attack us, upon consultation with Brigadier General J.B. Hood, and at his suggestion I placed my batteries (four) on a commanding ridge immediately to his left and rear. In the general line of battle this ridge was about the center; Jackson's corps being immediately on my left and Longstreet's on my right. It was an admirable ridge of over a quarter of a mile, generally overlooking the ground in front of it for two thousand yards. This ground was occupied by several farms, with cornfields, orchards, fences, &c., making it much desired by the enemy for their skirmishers, the ground being quite undulating. Opposite the left of the ridge, and distant about one thousand three hundred yards, was a strip of timber with quite a fall of ground behind it. Between this strip and General Jackson's right (along an old railroad excavation) was an open field.
* * * * * *
During the morning the enemy had massed his infantry behind the timber before mentioned, with a view to turn our left, and about 4 P.M. marched from out these woods in heavy lines of attack on General Jackson's position. The left of the ridge was held by Eubank's battery of four smooth bores, who opened on the enemy as soon as he discerned their advance. At the same time I shifted to his assistance with two howitzers of Parker's battery, two of <shv6_64>Rhett's battery and one of Jordan's battery. At the same time I directed nine other pieces, mostly rifles on the right of the ridge under Captains Jordan and Taylor, to change their position so as to fire on the enemy in flank, and on the woods containing their reserves. With eighteen (18) guns a continuous fire was kept up on the enemy during his attack, which lasted only about half an hour. His reserves moved twice out of the woods to the support of the attacking column, and twice were they repulsed by the artillery and driven back to the woods. After the reserves failed to reach the front or attacking columns, they were repulsed and attempted to rally in the open field, but the range of every part of the field was obtained and a few discharges broke them in confusion and sent them back to the woods. Finding that my batteries were troubling them they attempted to charge them, three regiments starting for them. They were repulsed, some of their dead being within two hundred yards of the guns. While firing on the infantry, two batteries of the enemy were firing at us, but generally overshot us. Our position was an admirable one, and the guns were well served. Two of my batteries were firing for the first time, but did remarkably well. I cannot speak in too high terms of the conduct of officers and men -- all behaved well, exhibiting coolness and courage. * * * * * * * * * * *
Respectfully submitted,
S.D. Lee,
Col. Art'y C.S.A., Comd'g Batt'n Light Artillery.
Southern Historical Society Papers
Vol. VI. Richmond, Va, August, 1878. No. 2.
The Second Battle of Manassas -- A Reply to General Longstreet. : 63-64
"After the passage of Thoroughfare Gap, August 29th, General Longstreet entered the turnpike near Gainesville, moving down towards Groveton, the head of his column coming upon the field in rear of the enemy's left flank and within easy cannon shot, took position on the right of Jackson, who at the time -- 11.30 A.M. -- was heavily engaged. General Longstreet, in forming his line of battle, ordered me to place my batteries in position between his line and that of General Jackson. A commanding position, after a rapid reconnaissance, was selected, conforming to General Longstreet's orders, between his line and General Jackson. The batteries of Miller and Squires, of the Washington artillery, were first put in position, and opened at once on the enemy, distant about twelve hundred yards. The enemy's infantry appearing in force immediately in front of these batteries, I ordered forward and crowded into position with Miller and Squires additional guns of Riley's, Bachman's, Anderson's and Chapman's batteries, all of my corps (First corps, Longstreet's), nineteen guns in all-all were at. once engaged. * * * * * * The engagement with the enemy's artillery continued until 3.30 o'clock P.M., when, having silenced them and broken up the advancing line of infantry, the batteries were withdrawn to repair damage and fill the chests, which were nearly empty. The operations on the left were ended for the day. The batteries bivouacked upon the field, the men and animals suffering greatly for want of water."
Extract from Colonel Stephen D. Lee's report of the battle of second Manassas:
"The battalion (S.D. Lee's battalion light artillery) received orders on the evening of the 29th, near Thoroughfare Gap, to march to the front during the night, and, after a tedious march, encamped about dawn on the morning of the 30th on the pike leading from Gainesville to Stone bridge and about two miles from Stone bridge. Soon after daylight, I found that our bivouac was on the battlefield of the previous evening and near our advanced division on picket. The enemy showing every disposition to attack us, upon consultation with Brigadier General J.B. Hood, and at his suggestion, I placed my batteries (four) on a commanding ridge immediately to his left and rear. In the general line of battle this ridge was about the centre, Jackson's corps being immediately on my left and Longstreet's on my right. It was an admirable ridge of over a quarter of a mile, generally overlooking the ground in front for some two thousand yards."
(Note. -- This "admirable ridge" was the identical position which <shv6_217>was selected, occupied and fought upon the day before Colonel Lee reached the battle field).
General Longstreet in his report says:
"Early on the 29th the columns were united and the advance to join General Jackson was resumed. * * * * * * * Colonel Walton placed his batteries in a commanding position between my line and that of General Jackson and engaged the enemy for several hours in a severe and successful artillery duel.
"During the day (30th) Colonel S.D. Lee, with his reserve artillery placed in the position occupied the day previous by Colonel Walton, engaged the enemy in a very severe artillery combat. The result was, as on the day previous, a success."
General Robert E. Lee in his report to the Secretary of War says:
"August 29th, Colonel Walton placed a part of his artillery upon a commanding position between Generals Jackson and Longstreet, by order of the latter, and engaged the enemy vigorously for several hours.
"On the morning of the 30th the enemy again advanced * * The batteries of Colonel Stephen D. Lee took the position occupied the day before by Colonel Walton."
What is contained in the foregoing is, I suppose, sufficient to establish that the fine position selected for the artillery was selected and occupied by artillery of my artillery corps the day before Colonel Lee arrived near the scene of the battle, which he reached only on the 30th, and that he occupied the identical position the day following that upon which my batteries had engaged the enemy in a very severe artillery combat vigorously for several hours. I cannot add to this evidence of the fact that Colonel Lee did not have, and could not have had by any possibility, anything to do with the selecting or securing that splendid position for artillery combat, no matter to whom the credit may belong.
I have hastily and imperfectly written (nothing from memory) what is here for such use as you may be disposed to make of it, but, with the understanding, that I cannot for a moment suppose that Colonel Lee intended to convey the idea that he selected the position I occupied and fought upon when he, with his battalion, was still at Thoroughfare Gap.
With my apology for the unsatisfactory manner I accomplished your wishes and submitting to any correction,
I remain, very truly yours,
J.B. Walton.
General James Longstreet, Gainesville, Ga.
Southern Historical Society Papers
Vol. VI Richmond, Virginia, November, 1878. No. 5.
The Artillery at Second Manassas--
General Longstreet's Reply to General S.D. Lee.: 215-217
Lieutenant Colonel R.H. Chilton, Adjutant General, A.N.V.:
Colonel; -- I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the battalion of artillery under my command in the battle of Manassas Plains, August 30,1862.
The battalion received orders on the evening of the 29th near Thoroughfare Gap to march to the front during the night, and after a tedious march, encamped about dawn on the morning of the 30th on the pike leading from Gainesville to Stone bridge, and about two miles from Gainesville. Soon after daylight, I found that our bivouac was on the battle field of the previous evening, and near an advanced division on picket. The enemy showing every disposition to attack us, upon consultation with Brigadier General J.B. Hood, and at his suggestion I placed my batteries (four) on a commanding ridge immediately to his left and rear. In the general line of battle this ridge was about the center; Jackson's corps being immediately on my left and Longstreet's on my right. It was an admirable ridge of over a quarter of a mile, generally overlooking the ground in front of it for two thousand yards. This ground was occupied by several farms, with cornfields, orchards, fences, &c., making it much desired by the enemy for their skirmishers, the ground being quite undulating. Opposite the left of the ridge, and distant about one thousand three hundred yards, was a strip of timber with quite a fall of ground behind it. Between this strip and General Jackson's right (along an old railroad excavation) was an open field.
* * * * * *
During the morning the enemy had massed his infantry behind the timber before mentioned, with a view to turn our left, and about 4 P.M. marched from out these woods in heavy lines of attack on General Jackson's position. The left of the ridge was held by Eubank's battery of four smooth bores, who opened on the enemy as soon as he discerned their advance. At the same time I shifted to his assistance with two howitzers of Parker's battery, two of <shv6_64>Rhett's battery and one of Jordan's battery. At the same time I directed nine other pieces, mostly rifles on the right of the ridge under Captains Jordan and Taylor, to change their position so as to fire on the enemy in flank, and on the woods containing their reserves. With eighteen (18) guns a continuous fire was kept up on the enemy during his attack, which lasted only about half an hour. His reserves moved twice out of the woods to the support of the attacking column, and twice were they repulsed by the artillery and driven back to the woods. After the reserves failed to reach the front or attacking columns, they were repulsed and attempted to rally in the open field, but the range of every part of the field was obtained and a few discharges broke them in confusion and sent them back to the woods. Finding that my batteries were troubling them they attempted to charge them, three regiments starting for them. They were repulsed, some of their dead being within two hundred yards of the guns. While firing on the infantry, two batteries of the enemy were firing at us, but generally overshot us. Our position was an admirable one, and the guns were well served. Two of my batteries were firing for the first time, but did remarkably well. I cannot speak in too high terms of the conduct of officers and men -- all behaved well, exhibiting coolness and courage. * * * * * * * * * * *
Respectfully submitted,
S.D. Lee,
Col. Art'y C.S.A., Comd'g Batt'n Light Artillery.
Southern Historical Society Papers
Vol. VI. Richmond, Va, August, 1878. No. 2.
The Second Battle of Manassas -- A Reply to General Longstreet. : 63-64
