"The great battle that followed, and all these operations covering several days, were called the Second Manassas. Some of the ground was identical with the first. Most of it lay beautifully for good tactical operations, and as the country was quite open much could be observed at considerable distances. When the enemy’s masses began again pressing Stonewall on the 30th of August, Longstreet moved quickly up to support. Their dense columns had been left exposed to artillery fire from our position and Longstreet instantly saw it. Planting a battery in the road, the first shots, together with Jackson’s incessant fire, began to tell.
"We were near enough to see some wavering in the blue masses, then halt, and then a flight back to cover. But it was all up with John Pope. No rest was given his army. Longstreet started every man of us to his division to push them into attack, and soon everything was hotly engaged. The easy, round ridges ran at right angles to the turnpike, and over these infantry and artillery poured in pursuit. The artillery would gallop furiously to the nearest ridge, limber to the front, deliver a few rounds until the enemy were out of range, and then a gallop again to the next ridge. And thus it went on until black darkness stopped operations--the enemy defeated at all points and hastening back to the Potomac. Many prisoners, guns, colors, small arms, and large quantities of stores and equipment fell into our hands. . .
". . .Longstreet was seen at his best during this battle. His consummate ability in managing troops was well displayed that day and his large bodies of men were moved with great skill and without the least confusion."
Source: Recollections of a Confederate Staff Officer
Commentary
The battle of 2nd Manassas was perhaps one of the Army of Northern Virginia's greatest victory's. It was certainly the model by which Longstreet would judge success or failure. An agressive offensive strategy combined with defensive tactics had sent the Federals under Pope streaming back from the battlefield, many all the way to Washington itself. Following is Moxley Sorrel's account of Longstreet's part of the battle.