It was now nearly nine o’clock at night, and the darkness rendered further operations impossible.  The troops which had driven the enemy were recalled from their advanced position, the Southern line was reformed on the same ground occupied at the commencement of the action, and General Lee prepared for the more decisive struggle of the next day.

Morning came (August 30th), but all the forenoon passed without a resumption of the battle.  Each of the adversaries seemed to await some movement on the part of the other, and the Federal commander made heavy feints against both the Confederate right and left, with the view of discovering some weak point, or of inducing Lee to lay himself open to attack.  These movements had, however, no effect.  Lee remained obstinately in his strong position, rightly estimating the advantage it gave him, and no doubt taking into consideration the want of supplies General Pope must labor under, a deficiency which rendered a prompt assault on his part indispensable.  The armies thus remained in face of each other, without serious efforts upon either side, until nearly or quite the hour of three in the afternoon.

General Pope then resumed the assault on Lee’s left, under Jackson, with his best troops.  The charge was furious, and a bloody struggle ensued; but Jackson succeeded in repulsing the force.  It fell back in disorder, but was succeeded by a second and a third line, which rushed forward at the “double-quick,” in a desperate attempt to break the Southern line.  These new attacks were met with greater obstinacy than at first, and, just as the opponents had closed in, a heavy fire was directed against the Federal column by Colonel S.D.  Lee, commanding the artillery at Lee’s centre.  This fire, which was of the most rapid and destructive character, struck the enemy in front and flank at once, and seemed to sweep back the charging brigades as they came.  The fire of the cannon was then redoubled, and Jackson’s line advanced with cheers.  Before this charge, the Federal line broke, and Jackson pressed forward, allowing them no respite.

General Lee then threw forward Longstreet, who, knowing what was expected of him, was already moving.  The enemy were pressed thus in front and on their flank, as Lee had no doubt intended, in forming his peculiar line.  The corps of Jackson and Longstreet closed in like two iron arms; the Federal forces were driven from position to position; the glare of their cannon, more and more distant, indicated that they had abandoned further contest, and at ten at night the darkness put an end to the battle and pursuit.  General Pope was retreating with his defeated forces toward Washington.

On the next day, Lee dispatched Jackson to turn Centreville and cut off the retreat of General Pope.  The result was a severe engagement near Germantown, which was put an end to by a violent storm.  General Pope, now reenforced by the commands of Generals Sumner and Franklin, had been enabled to hold his ground until night.  When, on the next day (September 2d), the Confederates advanced to Fairfax Court-House, it was found that the entire Federal army was in rapid retreat upon Washington.