Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-15

BATTLE OF CULPEPPER.
General POpe's Official Report.
His Troops Highly OOmplimented
THE DESPERATE CHARACTER
OF THE FIGHTING.
GUERRILLAS ROUTED IN MIS-.
souri,.
REGULATIONS FOR DRAFTINGIN
OHIO.
Volunteering to Cease on the 22d.
OHIO's QUOTA 1000.
Volunteering to Cease on the 22d
OHIO's QUOTA $4,000
LAST NIGHTS REPORT.
FRO1I POPF,s COnInIANn.
HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Cedar Mountain, Aug. 13, Bpm.

force, and advanced strong on the road to
| Culpepper and Madison Court House. I
had established my whole force on the
turnpike between Culpepper and Sperry-
vile, ready to concentrate at either place
as soon as the enemy's plans were de-
veloped. Early on Friday it became ap-
parent that the move on Madison Court
House was merely feint to deceive the
army corps of Gen. Sigel at SperryYille,
and that the main attack of the enemy
would be at Culpepper, to which place 1
had thrown forward part Of Banks and
McDowell's corps.
Brig. Gen. Bayard with part of the rear
Of McDowell's corps, who was in the ad-
vance near The Rapidan, fell slowly back,
delaying and embarrassing the enemys ad-
vance as far as as possible and capturing
some of his men.
The forces of Banks and Sigel and one
Of the divisions of McDowelTs corps were
rapidly concentrating at Culpepper during
Friday and Saturday night, Banks corps
being pushed forward miles South of Gull
pepper with Buckets division of Mellow
ellis corps miles in his rear. The corps
of Gen Sigel which had marched all night
was halted in Culpepper to rest few
hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rap
idly to Cedar Mountain, the sides Of which
they occupied in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was instructed to take up his
position on the ground occupied by Craw-
ford's brigade of his command, which had
been thrown out the day previous to OBJ
serve 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
It was my desire to have time to give the
corps of Gen. Sigel all the rest possible
after their forced march, and to bring for
ward all the forces at my disposal.
The artillery of the enemy opened early
in the afternoon but he made no advance
until early o'clock, at which time few
skirmishers were thrown forward on each
side under cover of the heavy heavy woodin
which his force was concealed. The enc
my pushed forward a strong force in the
rear Of his skirmishers and Gen. Banks
advanced to the attack. The engagement
did not fairly open until after 6 o'clock,
but for an hour and half was furious
and unceasing, throughout the eannonad-
ing which was at first desultory, and di-
rected mainly against the cavalry.
had continued to receive reports from
Gen. Banks that no attack was apprehend-
ed, and that no considerable Infantry for
ces of the enemy had come forward. Yet;
towards evening the increase in the artil-
lery firing having satisfied me an engage
ment might be at hand, though the lateness
of the hour rendered it unlikely, ordered
Geu. Mcdowell to advance Ricketts, di7is-
ion to support Gen. Banks, and directed
Gen. Sigel to bring his men on the ground
as soon as possible. l arrived personally
on the field at p. NJ, and found the action
raging furiously.
The infantry fire was incessant and Sc
we're. l found Gen. Banks holding the
position he took up early in the morning;
his losses were heavy. Ricketts, division
was Immediately pushed forward and oc-
cupied the advance of Gen. Banks. The
brigade of Gen. s. and Gordon being di-
rected to change their position from the
right and mass themselves in the centre.
Before this change could be effected it was
quite dark, though the artillery continued
at short range without intermission.
The artillery fire at night by the I'd and 5th
Maine batteries in Riekets' Division of Gen.
McDowelTs corps was most destructive, as
was readily observable the next morning
in the dead men and horses and broken car
riages of the enemy's batteries which had
been advanced againstit.
Our troops rested on their arms during the
night in line of battle, shelling being kept
up on both sides until midnight. At day
light the next morning the enemy fell back
two miles from our front and still higher
up the mountain.
Our pickets at once advanced and occu-
pied the ground. The fatigue of the troops
from long marches and excessive heat
made it impossible for either side to re-
sumo the action on Sunday. The men were
therefore allowed to rest and recruit the
whole day, our only active operation be-
ing that of the cavalry on the enemy's
flank and rear. Monday was spent in
burying the dead and in getting off the
wounded. The slaughter was severe on
both sides, most of the fighting being hand
to hand. The dead bodies of both armies
we're found mingled together in masses all
over the whole ground of conflict. The
| burying of the dead was not completed
ntil midnight on Monday, the heat being
terrible that severe work was not pos
sible.
On Monday night the enemy fed from
/ the field, leaving many of his dead un-
buried and his wounded on the ground and
along the road to Orange Court House, as
I will be seen from Gen. Buford's dispatch.
| A cavalry and artillery force under Gen.
Buford was Immediately thrown forward
in pursuit and followed the enemy to the
Rapidan, over which he passed with his
rear guard by 10 o'clock in the morning.
The behaviour of Gen. Banks corps dur
ing the action was very fine. No greater
gaIlantry and daring could be exhibited
by any troops.
1 cannot speak too highly of the GOODNESS
and intrepidity Of Gen. Banks himself du-
ring the whole Of the engagement. He
was in the front, and exposed as much as
any man in the command. His example
was of the greatest benefit, and he merits
and should receive the commendatiOn O
his Government.
Gems. Williams, Augur, Gordon, Craw
ford, Prince, Green and Geary behaved
with conspicuous gallantry. Augur an'
Geary were severely wounded, and Prince
by losing his way in the dark while pass
ing from one flank to the other, fell int
tho hands Of the enemy.
desire publicly to express my appreci
alton Of the prompt and skllltul manner
in which Gems. Mcdowell and Sigel brough
forward their respective commands and es
tablished them on the field and Of thei
cheerful and hearty cooperation with m
from beginning to end.
Brig. General Roberts, chief Of cavalr,
Of this army, was with the advance Of on
forces on Friday and Saturday, and wa
conspicuous for his gallantry and for tn
valuable aid he rendered to Gems. Bank
and Crawford.
Our loss was about 1900 killed, WOande
and missing, Of whom go were taken PEis