Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-08-22
Official Report of the Battle
Of Cedar Mountain.
HEADQUARTERS Army Of Virginia,
Cedar Mountain, 13th---5 r. NJ.

/ Cedar Mountain, 13th--5 r. NJ.
Maj. Gen. Halleck, General-in-Chicf
On Thursday morning the enemy crU
ed the Rapidan at Barnett's Ford in
heavy force, and advanced strong on the
road to Culpepper and Madison Court
House.
l had established my whole force on
the turnpike between Culpepper and
Sperrysvile, ready to concentrate at any
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 feint to detain the
army corps of Gen. Sigel at Spcrryville.
and that the main attack Of the enemy
would be at Culpepper, to which place l
had thrown forward part of Gen. Banks
and McDowell's corps.
Brigadier Gen. Bayard with part Of
the rear of Gen. McDowell's corps who
was in the advance, near the Rapidan,
fell slowly back delaying and embarrass-
ing the enemy's advance as far as possi-
Bile, and capturing some Of his men,
The forces Of Gems. Banks and Sigel and
one of the divisions of Gen. McDowell's
corps were rapidly concentrated at Gull
pepper during Friday and Friday night.
Gen. Banks corps was pushed forward
FIVE miles south of Culpepper with Rick
ett's division Of Gen. McDowel's corps.
three miles in his rear. The corps Of
Gen. Sigel, which bad marched all night.
was halted i'll Culpepper to rest for few
hours. On Saturday the enemy advanced
rapidly to Cedar Mountain, the sides Of
which they occupied in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was instructed to take up
his position on the grounds occupied by
General Crawford's brigade of his com.
mand, which was thrown out the day pre-
vious to observe the enemy's movements.
He was directed not to advance beyond
that point, and if attacked by tho enemy.
to defend his position, and send back
timely notice.
The artillery Of the enemy was opened
early in the afternoon, but he made no
advance until nearly FIVE o'clock, at which
time a few skirmishers were thrown for
ward on each side, under cover Of the
heavy wood in which his force was con-
cealed. The enemy pushed forward with
strong force in the rear Of the skirmish.
ers, and Gen. Banks advanced to the at.
tack. The engagement did not fairly
open until after six o'clock, but for an
hour and half it was furious and in
creasing.
Throughout the cannonading, which was
at first weak, and directed mainly at tho
cavalry. / had continued to receive re.
ports from Gen. Banks that no attack
was apprehcnded, and that no considerable
infantry force of the enemy had yet come
forward. Towards evening the increase
in the artillery firing having satisfied me
that un engagement might be at hand,
Though the lateness Of the hour rendered
it unlilsely,) l ordered Gen. Mcdowell to
advance Eickett's division to support
Gen. Banks, and directed Gen. Sigel to
bring his men upon the ground as soon as
possible.
l arrived personally upon the ground
at ! z. NJ, and found the action raging
furiously. The infantry fire was incess.
ant and severe. / found Gen. Banks
holding the position he took up early in
the morning. His losses were heavy.
Ricketts, division was Immediately
pushed forward, and occupied the right Of
Gen. Banks, the brigades of Crawford
and Gordon being directed to change
their position from the right, and mass
themselves in the centre. Before this
change could be affected it was quite
dark. though the artillery fire continued
at short range without intermission.
The artillery fire at night by the "a
and 9TH Maine batteries in Ricketts, di-
vision of Gen. McDowell's corps, was
most destructive, as was readily observa-
bic the next morning in the dead horses
and broken carriages of the enemy's bat
terry which had been sent against them.
Our troops rested on their arms during
the night, in line of battle. The heavy
shcling was kept up on both sides until
midnight. At daylight the enemy fell
back two miles from our front, and still
higher up tie mountain. Our pickets
advanced at once, and occupied the
ground.
The fatigue of the troops from long
marches aud excessive heat, made 1t i'm
possible for either side 20 resume tho
action on Sunday. The men were, there
fore, allowed to rest and recruit the whole
day, or only active operations being OF
cavalry on the rear flank.
Monday was spent in burying the dead
and getting off the wounded. The slaugh-
ter was severe Oh both Sides most of the
lighting being hand to hand. The dead
bodies of both armies were found mingled
to- ether in masses over the whole ground
of the conflict. The burying 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 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 will be seen by Gen. Buford's
despatch. A cavalry and artillery force
under Gen. Buford was immediately
thrown forward in pursuit, and followed
the enemy to the Rapidan, over which no
passed with his rear guard by 10 O'Clock
in the morning.
The behavior of Gen. Banks corps dur.
ing the action was very fine. No greater
gallantry and daring could be exhibited
by any troops. | cannot speak to highly