From a dispatch to General McClellan, Oct 12, 1862:
The rebels are taking up the rails on the railroad between Bristoe and Warrenton, and are carrying them off with two engines captured from us. I reported this fact last night, and orders have been given to send out troops to occupy the road, and we will commence tomorrow morning to reconstruct it. Appearances would indicate a disposition on the part of the rebels to abandon the Orange and Alexandria Railroad south of Manassas, and complete the connections between Staunton and Winchester or Mount Jackson by using the rails taken up on the other roads. for that purpose.