Jefferson Davis' Telegram to Samuel Cooper after First Manassas
Received at [Richmond] July 21 1861
By Telegraph from Manassas July 21
Night has closed upon a hard fought field -- Our forces have won a glorious victory The Enemy was routed & fled precipatately abandoning a very large amount of arms munitions Knapsacks and Baggige- The Ground was strewn for miles with those Killed & the farm houses and Grounds around were filled with his wounded- The Pursuit was continued along several routes towards Leesburg & Centerville until darkness covered the fugitives - We have captured several field Batteries & Regimental Standards & one US Flag Many prisoners have been taken -- Too high praise cannot be bestowed whether for the skill of the principal officers or for the Gallantry of all the Troops -- The Battle was mainly fought on our left, several miles from our field works;emour force engaged there not Exceeding Fifteen thousand (1,5000) that of the Enemy Estimated at Thirty five thousand (350000).
Jeff Davis
From The Papers of Jefferson Davis, Volume 7, pp. 258-59. Transcribed from the National Archives, RG109, Documents in the Official Records, Series 1, Volume 2, p. 987