The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-08-20
Genera! .P0pe's official krpor of
the Battle OF Cedar Mountain.

CHEAT MoUxTA1N, August 13, p. m
Headquarters Army Of N'yino--1o Aiglor
General HaNleckg General ia Gief :--On
Thursday morning the enemy crossed the
Rapidan at Barnell's Ford, in heavy force,
and advanced strongly on the road to Gulpep
per and Madison Court House. had es-
tablished my whole iol ce on the turnpike be
tween the Culpepperand Sperryyille, ready
to concentrate, at either pace as soon as the
eneny'si plans, were developed. EARLY on
on Friday it: became apparent that
that the moye on Madison Court House
was merely a .feint to detain the army
corps OF General Sigel at Sperryville, and the
man attack of the enemy would be at Cui
pepper to which pluce 4 had thrown forward
parf of Banks and M1Dowels' corps. eil .m
Brigadier General Rayard, with part tbe
rear of M'Dowell's corps who was 10 the
advance near the Rapldah fell slowly back
dehi ying and embarrassing the eneniy's ad
vance as far as possible and cnptuing some
Of the men. The forces OF Bankst Slsel and
one ofthe divisions OF NJ .Dowell's corps were
rapidly concen- rating at Culpepper during
Friday and Saturday night Banks COZ ps be-
ng pushed forward five miles south OF 'Cnl'
pepper with Ricketts, division OF AlcDowell's
corps three miles in Lis rear. 90 i#55s ar
The corps OF Gen, Sigel, which had march
ed all n 'ght halted in Cupepper to rest a
lew hours. o n8HiH-2" #'i' 5"'..-
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly
on Cedar Mountain, the sides OF which they
occupied in force. - 'H'.'al.
| Gen. Banks was instructed to take up his
position on the ground occupied by Craw:
lords brigade Of his command which had
been thrown out on the, day previous To OBJ
serve the enemy's movements. lie was
directed not to advance beyoud that point,
and if, attacked by the enemy,,to defend his
position and send back timely notice. I 9, ...
1t was my desire to have time to give the
corps of Gen S.igl all the rest possible after
t,heir forced march, and to bring forward all
the forces at my disposal.
| The artillery Of the enemy opened early
lin the afternoon, but he made no advance
until nearly o'clock, at which time few
skirmishers were thrown forward on each
side under cover OF the heavy wood in which
Ibis forces were cor cealed.
| The enemy pushed forward strong force
in The rear Of his skirnishers, and General
blanks advanced to the atttck. The engage
ment did not tairly open until after six O'Clock
tbut, for an hour and a hall, was furious IND
unceasipg. Throughout the canonading
which WIS &C first desul,ory, and directed
mainly against the cavalry, | had continued
to receive reports from Gen, Banks that M
attack was apprehended, and that no consid
erabe in antry force Of the enemy had com,
i forward, , Yet towards evening, the ircreas'
in the artillery firing having satisfied mt
that an engagement might be at hand, though
1.-the lateness Of the hour rendered il unlikely
| ordered Gen. Mcdowell to advance Rick
ett's division to support Gen. Banks, an,
directed Gen. Sigel TO bring his men on tn
ground as soon as possible, 1 arrived person
ally on the field att r NJ, and found tn
action raging furiously. y.,,u +a.,l-,.,.,.
The infantry fire was insessant and severe
| found Gen Banks holding the position b
rItook up in the morning. His losses wer
( heavy. Ricketts, division was immediatel
, pushed forward, and occupied the advance {
Gen. Banks, The brigade, of Gen, Gordo
! being directed to change their position fror
| the right and mass themselves in the icente
/ Before this change could be effected it wa
5 quite dark, though the artillery continued Q
4 short range without intermission. The al
I tillery fire at night by the % and 9Th ba
5 teries, in Ricketts, division of Gen. McDow
, elrs corps was most destructive, as WI
readily observable the next morning. in III
{ ldead men and horses, aid broken gun ca
|, riages of the enemy's batteries which ha
!. been adganeed against ussa HEf hao1
f Our troops rested on their arms during I'll
! night, in line OF battle; heavy shelllng b
? ing kept up on both sides until midnight
& At daylight next morning the enemy, y
9 back Two miles from our front, and sti
II higher up the mountain Our piekets
/, once and advanced and occupied the groun
: The fatigue OF the troops from long march
d and excessive heat made it impossible q
h either side toresume the action on Sunda
b The men were therefore allowed TO rest ar
recruit the whole day. Oar only active o.
being that ofcavalry oa the enemy
! tls nix and rear. ..y,..... f....
Il Monday was spent in burying the dead ar
b getting off the wounded i'm 3li3 .I5ia
.sl The slaughter was severe on both sides :
IS Most of ihe fighting being hand to han
II The dead OF both armies were found mingle
s together in masses oyer the whole ground
Is conflict. The burylng Of the dead was n
il complete until dark on Monday a7p 81.
u On Monday night the enemy fed from y
i field, leaving many lhs dead unburied, al
q his wounded on the ground, all along Il
road to Orange G. II as will be seen fro
II Gen. Buford's dispatch.
J, A cavalry and artillery force under Ge
0 i Buford was Immediately forward in pursu
i. and followed the enemy 10 the Rapidan; ovt
+ which ne passed with his rearguard by
Y o'clock in the morning, efH H l5E#g.
The behaviour of Gen. Banks corps duI
{ ing the. action was very fine. No create
s gallantry and daring coud be exhibited b
tfany troops ... Iii
9 I cannot speak to highly Of the coolne
: and interepidity OF Gen. Banks himself du