The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-08-22
Gen. Pope's Official Report Of the Bat
tie of Cedar Mountain,
HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,

Cedar Mountain, Aug 10, l. W.
To Mai Con. lIalleck, Com. in Chief:
On Thursday morning the enemy crossed
tho Rapidan at Barnetts Ford IN BoaVy
force, and advanced strong on tho road TO
Culpoppcr and Madison Court House. l
had established my whole force on tho turn
pike between Culpepper and Spcrryvillo,
ready TO concentrate at either place as soon
as tho enomys plans wero developed. Early
on Friday it became apparent that the move
on Madison Court House was merely teint
to deceive the army corps of Gen. Sigel at
Sperryvilo and that the main attack OF tho
enemy would be at Culpoppcr, 10 which |
placc had thrown forward part of Banks
and McDowolrs corps.
Brig Con 3ayard, with part of the rear
of McDowull's corps, who was in Tho advance
near tho Rapidan, sell slowly back, delaying !
and embarrassing tho enemy's advance as
far as possible, and capturing somo OF his
men.
The forces Of Banks and Sge and ono OF
the divisions of McDowel's corps were rap.
Idly concentrating at Cupepper during FRI
day and Saturday night, Banks corps being
pushed forward miles south OF Culpeppcr
with Rlckets' division OF McDOwelfs corps
miles in his rear. The corps OF Gen. Sigol,
which had marched all night, was halted IN
Culpepper TO rost few hours.
! On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly
| to Cedar Mountain, tho sides oil which thoy
occupied in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was instructed to take up his
position on tho ground occupied by Craw-
iord's brigade Of his command, which had
been thrown out tho day previous, to OBJ
servo the enemy's movements. He was di.
rcclcd not to advance beyond that point,
and if attacked by tho enemy, to defend his
position and send back timely notice. 1t
was my desire to have time to give tho corps
of Cen Sigol all the rest possible after thor
forced march, and to bring forward all the
/ fOrCus at my disposal.
| The artillery Of the enemy opened carly
| in tho afternoon, but ho mado no advance
until nearly B o'clock at which time tOw
skirmishors wcro thrown forward on each
side under cover of tue heavy wood in which
his force was concealed. Tho euomy pushed
forward u strong force in tho roar of his
skirmishers, and Gen. Banks advanced to
tho attack. Tho engagement did not fairly
opon until after o'clock, but for an hour
aud half was furious aud uncoasing,
Throughout. the cannonndng, which was at
first desultory, and directed mainly against
the cavalry.
l had continued to receive reports from
Gen. Banks that no attack was apprehended, |
and that no considerable infantry forces OF
tho enemy had como forward. Got, towards
evening tho increase in the artillery firing
having satisfied me an engagement might
be at hand though tho lotencss OF tho hour
rendered it unlikely. | ordered Gen. Nc.
Dowoll to advance Ricketts, division to sup
port Gen. Banks, and directed Gen. Sigol
| to bring his mon on tho ground as soon as
| possible ! arrived personally on the field
at p. NJ, and found the action raging fu-
riously.
The infantry fire was incessant and severe.
| found Con. Banks holding tho position he
took up early in tho morning; his losses
were heavy. Ricketts, division was immed-
atey pushed forward and occupied tho ad-
vance of Gen. Banks. The brigade of Gen.
S. and Gordon being directed TO change
tboir position from tho right and mass them
selves in the centre. Before this change
could be effected it was quito dark, though
the artillery continued ut short range with.
, out intormission.
The artillery fire at night by tho I'd ard
9th Maino batteries in Ricketts, Division of
Gen. McDowell's corps was most destructive,
: as was readily observable the next morning
in tho dead men and horses and broken car
riages of tho cnemys batteries which had
been advanced against il.
Our troops rested on their arms during
the night in line of battle, shollirg bong
kept up on both sides until midnight. At
daylight the next morning tho enemy foil
back two miles from our front and still
higher up tho mountain.
; Our pickots at once advanced aud occu-
! pied tho ground. Tho fatigue of tho troops
from long marches ana excessive heat made
it impossible for either side to resume the
action on Sunday. Tho mon were therefore
> allowed to rost and recruit tho whole day,
! our Ouly active operation boing that OF tho
I cavalry on tho enemy's flank and rear. Mon
u day was spont in burying tho dead and ir
/ getting off tho wounded. Tho slaughter
- was sovoro on both sides, most of the fight
It ing being hand to hand. Tho dead bodio
il of both armies woro found mingled togetho
D. in masses all over the whole ground of con
il hct. Tho burying of tho doad was no
10 completed until midnight on Monday, th
IT heat being so terrible that severe work wa
|, not possible
d On Monday night tho onemy fled from
II the fold leaving many Of his dead unburie'
70 aud his wounded on tho ground and alonl
g the road to Orange Court House, as will b,
o soon from Gen. Bufords dispatch. A cav
10 airy and artillery force under Gen. Buior
10 was Immediately thrown forward in pursuit.
10 and followed tho enemy TO the Rapidar
n over which ho passed with his rear guard b
Ve 10 o'clock in tho morning. Tho bohavio
Vo OF Gen. Banks corps during tho action wa
'ir very fine. No greater galantry and DARN
Ia. could DO exhibited by any troops
ly cannot speak too highly of tho coolno'
DO and intropdity OF Gen. Banks himself du
no ring tho whole of tho engagement. !Ie wi
ly in tho front, and exposed as much as an
lis man in tho command. His example was
so tho greatest benefit, and he merits an
ur should receive tho commendation of h
I'm Government.
lot Gems. Williams, Augur, Gordon, Crawfor
cd Prince, Green and Geary behaved with col
of spcuous galantry. Augur and Goary wei
ur severely wounded, and Prince, by losing h
los way In tho dark while passing from OF
vo flank to tho other, fell into tuo hands {
ey the enemy.
desire publicly to express my apprcci
tion of the prompt and sklltul manner
a. which Cons. Mcdowell and Sigel brougl
~ forward thoir respective commands an
established them on tho field, and of the
p cheerful and hearty cooperation with II
ia from beginning TO end.
se Brig. General Roberts, chief of cavalry
of this army, was with tho advance of OF
lid forces on FRIDAY and Saturday, and WI
al tnr :