The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-08-22
BATTLE CEDAR MOUNTAIN.
VISIT TO THE Battlefield.
INCIDENTS OF THE CONTEST.
WHY OUR TROOPS SUFFERED SEVERELY.

ling upon US arose from the necessity which
compelled us to cross open ground, for con-
siderable distance, raked by the fire of the
rebels, who were under cover of the woods.
Jackson put his usual strategy in proof upon
this occasion. He concealed his strength for
hours during the day, fighting with cannon
planted advantageously, and in his own time
urmasking his real strength, and throwing
forward massed troops suddenly upon our
lines. But here he was checkmated, and his
strategy rendered abortive by the watchful-
ness of our generals and the answering gal
lantry of the brave troops they led.
GENERAL GoRDoN's BRIGADE
Among the brigade commanders whose
conduct was not unworthy of his rank, We
may mention Gen Gordon, whose regiment,
md Massachusetts,, was closest to him in the
fight. He was cool, farsighted, courageous
throughout, and, although placed in a most
dangerous position on the right. exposed to
constant musketry and cannonading, his line
never wavered but took their orders as if
upon dress parade.
TIE THIRD WISCONSIN
regiment lost lis gallant Lieut.. Colonel Crane.
and about l20 men, vindica,ing Pope's eulo-
gium upon Western men, who do not know
how to retreat The 9th Indiana and the
o>th Pennsylvania sacrificed. in the same
spirit of emulous devotion, the remnant of
their followers, parts of whom had fallen in
! the Shenandoah valley massacrss.
! HARTSUFF'S BRIGADE,
consisting of the Eighth New York, Twelfth
and Thirteenth Massachusetts,. and Forty
sixth Pennsylvania. were exposed on Satur-
! day night to a CALLING fire of shell. A few
were wounded, but the Eighth and the rest
never ilinched. though the iron rain was
beating upon them.
GENERAL MDowELL
spent much time upon the field and behaved
well. His bravery has never been gainsayed.
While telling General Carroll, late on Satur-
dav evening, how certain formidable battle
ry was to he charged, squadron of rebel.
dashed upon him and very nearly took him {;
prisoner. He and his staff escaped by sheer
good luck.
SECOND MASSACHC SETS REGIMENT.
Ii was evident on Monday morning, from
the movements of both parties, that neither
was anxious TO resume hostilitieS. The enemy
fell back some xhlt early In the day, and IA
tigue parties advanced from his original posi-
ton to continue the interment of rebel dead
a work at which he had been already enSa
ged. Some of the more adventurous of on
soldiers, and many of the surgeons likewise
pushed out from the Cnion ranks, and ambu
e lances were hauled TO and fro with the MAIN
, cd, the diving and the helpless. For man
hours additional the dead lay livid and disre
garded upon the site at once of their glor
!. and their fall.
c Our ambulances and surgeons assistant
4 were not interrupted, though often within
easy musket range. At length Lieut. Elliot
Johnston of the rebel Gen Garnett's staff ad
p vanced down slope bearing white fag
d which he waved vigorously, as if to attract ou
- attention. Some of our officers at once wei
up to the Lieutenant, who informed them tha
. by permission of Stonewall Jackson the
l. might have till o'clock TO bury the dead
d The bearer wished 10 disclaim, however, th
l. fact that he was messenger of truce, and a
terward told your reporter that the propos;
u" for cessation first came from our peopl
1t The period allowed for burial was afterwa-,
lr bv mutual consent, prolonged till dark. IL
:, rebels stated, with their flag of truce. III;
under no circumstances must abandone
arms, tools or ammunition be carted from II
e ground, as they claimed the field and its col
D. tents by reason of their occupation of Il
pr same down to the acceptance of the flag
10 truce.
APPEARANCE OF THE BATTLEFIELD.
70 In company with Division Surgeon Ball,
:, General Morgan's brigade, l rode down Il
road toward Slaughter's Mountain, passir
- upward of score of battery horses slain
IT. the traces by the splendid firing of our advan
a pieces on Saturday midnight. The noh
ho animals, whom thunder could not Jar nor irt
~ rain intimidate, lay close beside each oth'
lis the worms already making havoc in the
lat flesh, their limbs stifened and ghastly hoo
es- extended. Here was a splintered wheel,wl
or blood and hair upon the spokes, and sta
like rivulet. extending little way do,
ess the cav. Beyond, came upon the usual
on dications of retreat-jackets, bayonets, C
ra- fridge boxes and knapsacks, thrown here a
there confusedly, trampled, rent and bloot
y" These traces grew more numerous uni
the crossed Cedar creek, where the stencil of
to caying flesh. men and horses, was plainly p
ON ceptible. The ground was trampled, as if
a;d the desperate feet of combatants, and of
the left, in the ruined cornfeld, l saw pa
'no of grave diggers engaged in their solemn
ant hasty task of shutting away the face of ,
in ~. The first unburied corpse started
,,,o from the shelter of an oak tree; but the
semblance to man had been well nigh OBJ
lers rated. The arms were thrown clinch.
back, the chin raised With the tendons