THE SECOND BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

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Washington, August 31st, 1862. 11 a. ji.

My Dear General: You have done nobly. Don’t yield another ineli if you can avoid it.All reserves are being sent forward. ... I am doing all I can for you and your noblearmy. God bless you and it. . . . H. W. Halleck, General-in-chief .

The enemy’s cavalry appeared in front of Cub Run that morning, but madeno attempt to attack. Our cavalry, under Buford and Bayard, was com-pletely broken down, and both of theseofficers reported to me that not five' horses to the company could be forcedinto a trot. No horses whatever hadreached us for remounts since the be-ginning of operations. It was imprac-ticable, therefore, to use the cavalry ascavalry to cover our front with pick-ets or to make reconnoissances of theenemy’s front.

This paper would be incomplete in-deed did it fail to contain some short,if entirely insufficient, tribute to thatmost gallant and loyal soldier, JohnBuford . I remember very well howsurprised I was when I was first placedin command of the Army of Virginiathat General Buford , then only a majorin the inspector-general’s department,reported to me for duty as inspector.

I asked him how he could possibly remain in such a position while a greatwar was going on, and what objections he could have (if he had any) to beingplaced in a command in the field. He seemed hurt to think I could have evena doubt of his wish to take the field, and told me that he had tried to get acommand, but was without influence enough to accomplish it. I went atonce to the Secretary of War and begged him to have Major Buford appointed a brigadier-general of volunteers and ordered to report to mefor service. The President was good enough to make the appointment,and certainly a better one was never made. Buford ’s coolness, his fine judg-ment, and his splendid courage were known of all men who had to do withhim; but besides, and in addition to these high qualities, he acquired in afew months, through his presence and manner, an influence over men asremarkable as it was useful. His quiet dignity, covering a fiery spirit and amilitary sagacity as far-reaching as it was accurate, made him in the shortperiod of his active service one of the most respected and trusted officersin the service. His death, brought about by disease contracted during themonths of active service and constant exposure, was widely lamented inthe army.

On the morning of the 1st of September I directed General Sumner topush forward a reconnoissance toward Little River pike, which enters the

MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT C. SCHEKCK.FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.

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