Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-18


WAsHISGToS August II.
The battle on the Rapidan on Saturday last
was very important affair, both as a haltle of
ITSELF, and an indication of the designs of the
Coniederates irl that quarter and their ability or
otherwise To carry out those designs. / have
seen to-day several other officers direct from the
scene, and from them, and from other sources
equally authentic, / have gathered the fol-
lowing additional particulars relative to the
gagement:
Ii is clear that General Pope has gained no
laurels in this battle His entire dispositions for
the engagement display a lameniabIe lack of the
qualities most essential in successful General
The terrible loss of life which we suffered in the
engagement Is clearly chargeabe upon his want
of foresight, and his neglect in not seeing per-
sonally that our troops were properly supported.
There is nothing in his conduct TO indicate that
he knew twenty -four hours before the battle that
the rebels were marching TO attack him; vet on
Thursday, after driving US out of Orange and
across the Rapidan, the enemy had maSsed a
eStrong column on the right bank of the Rapdan,
which they threw on Friday morning, dri-
wing in our pickets as they did so. Every Colo
mel in the corps knew this fact Yet Pope either
did not know it, or, if he did, had not skill
enough to penetrate the significance of the move
ment But this was not all the rebels did on
Friday. Cedar Mountain lies five miles to the
north of the Rapidan, and midway between ii and
Culpepper. Our outposts had been not only 10
the Rapidan, but across il. We were virtually in
possession of Cedar Mountain and of the heights
around it. Yet Gen. Pope neglected to secure
the possession of Cedar Mountain, which was, of
course, the KEY of the position. Gen. Jackson
knew this, but Gen. Pope it seems did not know
it. If he did, he failed TO take advantage of it,
although twas quite in his power to do SO. If,
when the enemy first crossed the Rapidan on
Friday morning, Pope had sent 10000 of his
troops, (he is supposed TO have three times that
many but don't say how many he has-I only
say that he could have sent 10000 on any SER
vice, and had plenty left, to take possession Of
the nights of Cedar Mountain with directions to
eXtemPorizc few fieldwoIks there, fan hours
work would have done it, he could have held
the position at least Bur he did nothing of the
kind. 1t was Jackson who on Friday afternoon
pushed forward, seized the nights of Cedar Noun
tain and occupied them with II 900 troops. This,
al least, Gen. Pope knew. Yet what measures
did he take TO dislodge the enemy from this van
tage pround! He sent Banks with 5000 men to
dislOdge II 900 troops posted on chosen ground,
protected by underbrush and covered with the
same artillery that played havoc with our troops
on Saturday night. According TO all accounts
Banks and his troops behaved like heroes But
what could the valor of 5000 men avail against
that of 1900! Pope had at his command a
m n. Yet he failed to concentrate them, or even
5000 of them, against the 1000 of the enemy,
while he permitted Gen. Jackson TO throw for
ward 20 900 troops from Orange TO the Rapi1an,
and from the Rapidan to Cedar Mountain. Let
it be remembered here that a. larelv a. August
Sd, he telegraphed TO the War Department that
he (Popc) had crossed the Rapidan aud taken
possession of Orange ON the 2d. The rebels had
to drive Us ont of Orange, and back across the
Rapidan, before they could cross.
1t looks very much now as if General Jackson
was manuvering to draw Pope across the Rapi-
dan. The rebel General is reported TO have re-
crossed the stream with his 20 900 troops, and to
be now on its right bank. Pope telegraphs US
here that his cavalry and artillery are in pursuit.
That Is just what General Jackson wants unless
Pope's infantry are close at hand to act as sup
ports. The rebel General is full of wies and
strategemS hc knows every inch of the ground;
and if Pope gets the advantage of him he will be
great General indeed. Its probably General
JacksOns plan to make feint of retreating, 10
draw Pope across the Rapidan and then To fall
upon him suddenly, while part of the Union
forces are still on the north side of the stream.
AT all events, if it is certain that this battle
bloody as it was, is only the prelude to the great
and decisive action which must take place he
tween Pope and Jackson. In weighing the
probabilities of the result of this coming engage
ment. it must be remembered that, if Jackson
find Pope stronger than he supposed he can he
instantly reinforced from Gordonsyille TO anv re-
qured amount. Ii is not supposed that Jackson
has on the line of the Rapidan, and between that
and Orange, over 81, 900 troops. But ii is known
that there are more than that many at Gordons
Vile