Newbern weekly progress. [volume] (Newbern, N.C.) 1858-1863, 1862-08-23

Headquarters Of the A,my Of Virginia,
p Leddr Mountain, Aug. 1875 .. m.

rCsdar Mountain, Aug. l3-5p.m.
To MAJ. GEN. HALLEck, General.in. Chief
On Thursday morning, the enemy crossed
the Rapdan at Barnott's Ford in heavy force,
and advanced strong on the road to Culpepper
and Madison Court House. had established
my whole force on the turnpike between Cul.
pepper and Sperryville, ready to concentrate
at either place as soon as the enemy's plans
were developed.
Early on Friday it became apparent that the
move on Madison Court House was merely a
feint to detain the army corps of Gen. Sigel al
Sperryville, and that the main attack Of the
enemy would be at Culpepper, to which place
had thrown forward part OF Banks's and
McDowel's Corps Brig. Gen. Bayard with
part of the rear Of McDowells Corps, who
was in the advance near the Rapidan, fell
slowly back, delaying and embarrassing the
enemy's advance as far as possible, and cap
turing some Of his men.
The forces Of Banks and Sigel, and one Of
the divisions of McDowell's corps, were rapidly
concentrated at Culpcpper during Friday, and
on Friday night Banks's corps being pushed
forward five miles south Of Culpeppcr, with
Ricketts, division Of McDowcls corps three
miles in his rear.
The corps Of Gen. SigQl, which had marched
all night, was halted in Culpepper 10 rest for q
few hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly to
Cedar Mountain, the sides Of which they
occupied in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was instructed 10 take up his
position on the ground occupied by Crawiord's
Brigade, Of his command, which had beer
thrown out the day previous to observe the
enemy's movements. lie was directed not Ii
advance beyond that point, and, If attacked BY
the enemy, to defend his position, and sent
back timely notice.
Ii was my desire to have time TO give tn,
corps Of Gen. Sigel all the rest possible aftel
theu forced march, and to bring forward al
the forces at my disposal. .s..t
The artillery Of the enemy was opened early
in the afternoon, but he made no advance until
nearly 8 o'clock, at which time few skirmish
crs ere thrown forward on each side undel
cover of the heavy wood in which his forct
was concealed
The enemy pushed forward strong force ir
t e rear of his skirmishcrs, and Gen. Banks
advanced to the attack
The engagement did not fairly open unit
after o'clock, and for an hour and half was
furious and unceasing. vs
Throughout the cannonading which at frs
was dcsutory and directed mainly against tn,
cavalry, had continued to receive reports
fro,n Gen. Banks that no attack was appre
',ended, and that TO considerable infan,r,
force of the enemy had come forward.
Yet toward evening, the increase in tn,
artillery firing having satisfied me an engage
ment might be at hand, though the lateness
the hour rendered it unlikely, ordered Gen
Mcdowell to advance Ricketts, Division I,
support Gen. Banks, and directed Gen. Sige
to bring bis men upon the ground as soon a
possible. %,
arrived personally on the field at p m.
and found the action raging furiously. Tn
infantry fire was inccssant and severe.
found Gen. Banks holding the position h
took up early in the morning. His losse
were heavy.
Ricketts, Division was Immediately pushe
forward and occupied the right OF Gen. Bank,
the brigadss Of Crawford and Gordon bein
directed to change their position from the righ
and mass themselves in the center.
Before this change could be effected it va
quite dark, though the artillery fire continue
ct short range without intermission.
The Artillery fire at night by the 2d and 81
Maine batteries in Ricketts, Division. Of Generi
McDowell's corps, was most destructive as wa
readily observable the next morning in the dea
men and horses. and broken gun carriages {
the enrmy's batteries which had been advance
against it.
Our troops rested on their arms during tn
night in line Of battle, the heavy shelling bein
kept up on both sides until midnight
Atdaylight the next morning the enemy fe
back two miles from our front, and still hight
up the mountain
Our pickets at once advanced and occupied tf
ground.
The fatigue Of the troops from long marcht
and excessive heat made it impossible for eith'
side to resume the action OH Sunday. The me
D were. therefore, allowed to rest and recruit u
$ whole day, our only active operation being
cavalry on the enemy's flank and rear.
/. Monday was spent in burying the dead an
s carrying of the wounded.
The slaughter was severe on both sides, mo
Of the fighting being hand to hand.
The dead bodies Of both armies were four
mingled together in masses over the who
ground of the conflict
$ The burying of the dead was not completed u
c til dark on Monday, the heat being SO terrib
d that severe work was not possible.
!. On Monday night the enemy fled from Il
# field, leaving many fhis dead unburied and !
q wounded on the ground and along the road
Il Orange Court House, as will be seen from Ge
y Buford's dispatch.
y A cavalry and artillery force under General B
Ford was Immediately thrown forward in purs'
IT and followed the enemy TO the Rapidan. ov
which he passed with his rear.guard by t
o'clock in the morning.
lr The behavior Of Gen. Banks corps during |
le action was very fine No greater gallantry a
S daring could be exhibited by any troops
it ] cannot speak too highly of the coolness n
lie intrcpidity of General Banks himself during I
whole engagement, lie was in The front and I
;c posed as much as any man in his command,
! example was of the greatest benefit to his troo
u, y, and he merits and should receive the commen
~ ton of his Government
~ Generals Williams, Augur Gordon, Crawfo
Id Prince, Green and Gcary, behaved with consI
n uOuS gallantry.