Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-08-20
General Po2e's Off ,iaI Despatch.

HEADUARTERs Army or YIRGJsIA,
Cedar Mountain, August l3, 1862, r. NJ. {
TO Major- General HaLleeh, General In Chfefi
On Thursday morning the enemy crossed
the Rapidan, at BarBel's ford, in heavy force,
and advanced strongly on the road to CuIpep-
per and Madi ison Court House.
1 established my whole force on the turn
pike between Culpepper and Sperryyille, ready
TO concentrate al either place soon as The
enemy's plans were developed.
Early on Friday it became apparent that
the move or Madison q. II. was merely feint,
to detain the army corps or Gen. Segel at
SpcrreyvIlle, and that the main attack OF
the enemy would be at Cuipepper, 70 which
place | had thrown forward part Of Banks
and McDowelPs corps.
Brig. General Bayard with part Of the rear
of McDowel's corps who was in advance near
the Rapidan, fell slowly back, delaying ard
embarrassing the enemy's ordnance far
possible and capturing some OF the men.
The force of Banks and Seigel and one Of
the divisions OF McDowclI's corps weIe rapid
ly concentrated at Culpepper during Friday
and Friday night. Bank ) corps heng push
ed forward five miles south OF Culpeppcr, with
Ricketts, division of McDowell's corps, three
miles in his
The corps OF Seige which had marched all
night, was hailed in CuIpepper to rest for
few hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly to
Cedar Mountain, the sides OF which they oc-
cnpied in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was instructed to take up his
position on the ground occupied by Crawford
brigade OF his command, which had been
thrown out the day previous TO observe the
enemy's movements.
He was directed not TO advance beyond that
point, and if attacked by the enemy to defend
his position and send back timely notice.
1t my desire to have time TO give the
ffS l4ll he est
forced march, and to bring forward all the
forces at my disposal.
The artillery Of the enemy opened early in
the afternoon, but he made no advance until
nearly O'Clock, at which time few skir
mishers were thrown forward on each side un.
der cover Of the heavy woods. in which his
force was concealed. The enemy pushed for
ward strong force in the rear of his skir-
misfers, and Gen. Banks advanced to the at
tack.
The engagement did not fairly open until
O'Clock, but for one and d half hours was furi
Gus and unccasng.
Throughout the cannonading, which at first
was desuItory and directed mainly against the
cavalry, | bad continued to receive reports
from Gen. Banks that no attack was appre-
heDded, aud that no considerable infantry
force Of the enemy had come forward yet.
Towards evening the increase in the artillery
firing having satisfied me that engagement
hour rendered il unlikely | ordered General
Mcdowell to advance Rickett's division 10
the support OF Banks, and direct General Sic
gel to bring his men upon the ground soon
AS possible.
| arrived personally on the field at seven o.
clock, P. NJ, and found the action raging fu
fiously!.
The infantry fire was incessant and severe. |
found Banks holding the position he took |
early in the morning. The lossess were |
heavy.
Ricketts, division was immediately pushed |
forward and occupied the right of Banks. |
The brigades of Crawford and Gorden being |
directed TO change their position from the |
right to mass themselves in the centre.
Before this change could be effect ed, it was |
quite dark, though the artillery fire contin-
ued at short range without intermission.
The artillery fire was continued st night |
by the Second and Fifth MaiDe batteries in
Ricketts, division, 'Dowel's corps, and |
was most destructive, was readily observed |
the next morning in the dead men and horses,
and broken guu-carriages of the enemy's bat
teries which had been advanced against it.
Our troops rested on their arms during the
night, in line of battle, the heavy Smelling be-
ing kept up on both sides until midnight. At
day light the next morning The enemy fell
back two miles from orr front, and still high
er up the mountain. Our pickefs at once ad
yanced and occupied the grOund. IDe Ia
tigue of the troops from long marches and ex
cessive heat made ii impossible for either
side to resume the action on Sunday. The
men were allowed to rest and recruit the whole
day, our only active operations being of the
cavalry on the enemy's flank and rear Mon
day was spent in burying the dead, and in get
ting off the wounded. The slaughter was
we're on both sides: most Of the fighting being
hand to hand. The dead bodies OF both ar
mics were mingled together in masses over
the whole ground of the conflict. The bury
ing of the dead not completed until dark on
onday, the heat being SO terrible that severe
work was not possible. On Monday night the
enemy fed from the field, leaving many of his
lead unburied and his wounded on the ground
md along the road to Orange Court House,
,s will be seen from Gen. Buford's despatch.
A cavalry and artillery force under Gen. Bu-
ord, was Immediately thrown forward IN pur-
suit. and followed fhe enemy to the Rapidan,
over which he passed with his rear guard by
10 O'Clock in the morning. Parts of our IN
antry followed the remainder were sent for
ward in the morning The behavior OF Banks
corps during the action was very line. NO
greater gallantry and daring could be exhibit
ID by any troops. / cannot speak too highly
If the intrepidity of General Banks himself
Turing the whole of the engagement. lie was
n front, and exposed as much as any man IN
lis command. His example was of the great