Head Qrs Army No Va 
     Chantilly, 
     3rd Sept. 1862 
 
His Excy Jeff’n Davis 
 President C.S.A. 
 
Mr. President 
   My letter of the 30th ulto: will have informed your Excy of the progress of this army to that date. Gen’l Longstreet’s division having arrived the day previous, was formed in order of battle, on the right of Gen’l Jackson, who had been engaged with the enemy since morning, resisting an attack commenced on the 28th. The enemy on the latter day was vigorously repulsed, leaving his numerous dead and wounded on the field.His attack on the morning of the 29th was feeble, but became warmer in the afternoon, when he was again repulsed by both wings of the army. His loss on this day as stated in his published report herewith enclosed, amounted to 8000 in klilled and wounded.  
   The enemy, being reinforced, renewed the attack on the afternoon of the 30th. When a general advance of both wings of the army was ordered, & after a fierce combat. which raged till after 9 o’clock, he was completely defeated & driven beyond Bull Run. (Pg.2)The darkness of the night, his destruction of the Stone Bridge, after crossing and the uncertainty of the fords stopped the pursuit. The next morning the enemy was discovered in the strong position at Centerville; & the army was put in motion towards the Little River Turnpike, to turn his right. Upon reaching Ox Hill, on the 1st Septr., he was agin discovered in our front on the heights of Germantown; & and about 5 P.M. made a spirited attack upon the front & right of our column, with a view apparently of covering the withdrawal of his trains on ther Centerville road, & making his retreat. 
   Our position was maintained with but slight loss on both sides. Maj. Genl Kearny was left by the enemy, dead on the field. During the night the enemy fell back to Fairfax Ct. Ho: & abandoned his position at Centerville. Yesterday about noon he evacuated Fairfax Ct. Ho: taking the roads, as reported to me, to Alexandria and Washington. I have yet been able to get official reports of our loss or captures in these various engagements. Many gallant officers have been killed or wounded. Of the General officers, Ewell, Trimble, Taliaferro, Fields, Jenkins, &Mahone have been reported wounded. Cols Means, Marshall, Boyler, Neff, and Gadberry killed. About 7000 prisoners have already been paroled; about the same number of 
small arms collected from the field & and 30 pieces of cannon captured, besides a number of wagons, ambulances & c. (Pg.3) A large number of arms still remain on the ground. For want of transportation valuable stores had to be destroyed as captured; while the enemy at their various depots are reported to have burned many millions of property in their retreat. 
   The great advantage of the advance of the army is the withdrawal of the enemy from our territory, & and hurling back upon their capitol of their two great armies from the banks of the James & Rappahannock rivers. 
   The divisions of Genls Hill and McLaws have now arrived within supporting distance; & the ordnance & other trains are not far behind. The progress & protection of our trains have caused our greatest difficulties, Nothing could surpass the gallantry & endurance of the troops, who have cheerfully borne every danger & hardship, both on the battlefield & march. 
   I have the honor to be, 
    very respecty, 
     Your mo: obt. svt. 
      R. E. Lee 
       Genl