The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-08-23

" ) o'clock at which time a few SkirmiShcrs were
thrown forward OH each side Under cover of the
heavy wood in which his force WAS concealed.
The enemy pushed forward strong force in the
rear of his skirmshers and Gen. Banks advanced
to the attack The engagement did not fairly
open until after 6 O'Clock, and for an hour and a
half was furious and unceasing. Throughout the
cannonading, which at first was deSultOry and dl-
rectel mainly against the cavalry, | had contln-
ued to receive reports from Gen. Banks that no
attack was apprehendcd, and that no considerable
infantry force of the enemy had come forward.
Yet toward evening, the increase in the artillery
firing having satisfied me an engagement might be
at hand, though the lateness Of the hour rendered
it unlikely, | ordered Gen. Mcdowell to advance
kickett's Division to support Gen. Banks, and di-
rected Gen. Sige to bring his men upon the
ground as soon as possible.
| arrived personally on the field at 7. m., and
found the action raging furiouSly. The infantry
fire was mceSSant and severe. found Gen. Banks
holding the position he took up early in the morn
ing. His losses were heavy. Rickctt $ Division
was immediately pushed forward and occupied the
right of Gen. Banks the brigadcS OF Crawford and
e. ordon being directed to change their position
from the right and mass themselves in the center.
Before this change could be effected it was quite
dark though the artillery fire continued at short
range without intermiSslon.
The artillery fire at night by the ID and aih
Maine batteries in Ricketts, Division, OF Gen.
McDowell's corps, was most destructive, as was
readily observable the next mbrnng in the dead
men and horses, and broken gun-carragcS ofthc
enemy's batteries which had been advanced against
it. Our troops rested on their arms during the
night in line of battle, the heavy she,ling 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 noun
-, ,,io ol-nfco OF noIN IN
the ground: The fatigue of the troops from long
marches and excessive heat made it impossible for
either side TO resume the action on Sunday. The
men were, therefore, allowed to rest and recruit
the whole day, our only active operation being OF
cavalry on the encmy's flank and FEAR.
Monday was spent in burying the dead and i'll
getting off the wounded. The slaughter was Sc
vele on both sides. most of the fighting being hand
to hand.
The dead bodies of both armies were found min
gled together in masses over the whole ground OF
the conflict. The bnrying Of the dead was not
completed until dark on Monday, the heat being
so terrible that severe work was not possible. On
Monday night the enemy fled from the field, leav-
inc many Of his dead unburlcd and his wounded
on the grOnnd, and along The road to Orange
COnrt Honse as will be seen from Gen. ButordS :
dispatch.
\ cavalry and artillery force under Gen. Buford
was immediately thrown forward in pursuit and
followed the enemy to the Rapidan, over which ne
passed with his re ,r-guard by ten O'Clock Ill the
morning.
The behavior OF Gen. Banks corps during the
action was very fine. No greater gallantry; and
daring could be exhibited by any troops. can
not speak too highly Of the GOODNESS aud intrepid
itv of Gen. Banks himself during the whole OF the
engagement. lie was in the front and exposed as
much as any man in his command. His example
was of the greatest benefit TO his troops, ana ne
merits and should receive the commentator OF
his Government. Generals Williams, Augur,
Gordon, Crawford, Prince, Green and Geary. be-
haved with conspicuous gallantry. AugEr and
Geary were severely wounded, and Prince, by
losing his way in the dark while passing from one
flank to another, fell into the hands OF the enemy.
desire publicly to express my appreciation OF
the prompt and skillfill manner in which Generals
Mcdowell and Sigel brought forward Their reSpcc-
tive commands, and established them on the held,
and of their cheerful and hearty cooperation with
me from beginning to end.