Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-15

ing the enemy crossed the Rspldan at Barnets
Ford in heavy force and advanced strong on the
road TO Culpepper and Madison c. II. had e.
tablished my whole force on the turnpike be-
tween Culpepper and Sperryville ready 10 con-
eentrate az either place as soon az the enemy's
plans were developed
Early on Friday it became apparent that the
move on Madison {. II ely feint de-
ceve the army corps of Gen. S,gei at Sperryyiiie,
and that the main attack OF the enemy would be
at CuTepper. to which place l had thrown for
ward u put Of Generals Banks and McDowel.'s
corps.
Brigadier General Bsyard. with part of the
rear OF McDoweIls corps, who was in the ad.
vance hear the Rapidan fell slowly back. delay
ing and embarrassing the enemy's advance as lar
as possible, and capturing some Of his men.
The forces OF Banks and Seel anu one of
the divisions OF McDowel's corps were rapidly
concentrating at Cupepper during Friday and
Saturday night. Banks's corps being pashed for
ward five miles south of Cupepper. with Rick
etts's division of NcDOwell's corps three miles
in his rear.
The corps of Gen. Sigel. which had marched
all night, was halted in Culpepper TO rest lew
hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly TO
Cedar Mountain. the sides of which they occu-
pied in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was Instructed TO take up his'DOsi-
ton on the ground occupied by Crsw fori's brig
ade of his command, which had been thrown out
the day previous TO observe the enem,'s move
ments. He was instructed not To advance beyond
that point, and il attacked by the enemy, to de
tend his position. and send back timely notice
1t was my desire TO have time TO give the corps
OF Gen. Sgel all the rest possible. after their
forced march. and to bring forward all the forces
at my disposal
The artillery of the enemy opened early in the
afternoon, but he made no advance until nearly
o'clock, at which time a lew skirmislers We e
thrown forward on 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 skrmishers, and General Banks
advanced TO the attack
The engagement did not fairly open until after
6 clock, but for an hour and a half was furious
and unceasng throughout. Cannonading, which
was at first desutory, was directed mainly against
the cavalry.
had continued TO receive reports from Gen.
Banks that no attack was appreh,n eG. and that
no considerable infantry force OF the enemy had
come forward, Vet toward evening the increase ia
the artillery firing having satisfied me an engage
ment might be at hand, though the laieness OF the
hour rendered it unlikely ordered General Ne
Dowell to advance-Ricketts's division to sup
port Gen. Banks-and directed General Sigel 10
bring his men on the ground soon possible
| arrived personally on the field at Z. NJ and
found the action raging furiousy The infantry
fire was incessant and severe.
found General Banks holding the position Re
took up early in the morning. His losses we're
heavy.
Ricketts, division was immediatevpushed for
ward and occupied the advance OF Gen. Banks.
The brigade of Gems. - and German 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 continued at short range
without irtermission.
The artillery fire at night by the 81 and 9Th
Maine battery in Ricketts, division of Gen Nc
Dowelfs corps. most destructive was
readily observable the next morning in the dead
men and horses aud broken gun carriages of the
enemy's batteries which had been advanced
against it,
Our troops rested on their arms during the
night in lire of battle A heavy Smelling being
kept up OH both sides until midnight At da "
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
occupied tie ground.
The fatigue of the troops from long marches
and excessive heat, made il impossible for
either to resume the action on Sunday. The
men were therefore allowed to rest and recruit
the whole day. Our only active operation being
that Of cavalry on the ensmy's flank and rear
Monday spent i'm 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
were found mingled together in Masses over the
whole ground of conflict.
! The burying OF the dead was not completed
until dark ON Monday the heat being no terrible
that severe work not possible.
! On Monday night the enemy fled from the
field leaving many of his dead unbured and
his wounded on the ground and along the road
to Orange c. II as will be seen from Gen Bu
| ford's dispatch.
A cavalry and artillery force under Gen. Blu
/ ford was Immediately thrown forward in pursuit.
and followed the enemy to the Rapidan. ovel
which he passed with his rear guard by 10 in the
/ morning.
! The behaviour of Gen. Bsnks's corps during
the action was very hue. No greater galantry
| and daring could tie exhibited by any troops.
! / cannot speak too highly of the GOODNESS ant
! intrepidity of Gen. Banks himself during th,
whole of the engagement He was in the front
and exposed as much as any man in his com
mand His example was of the greatest benefit
and he merits and should receive the eommenda
| ton of his Government.
Generals Williams, Augur, German, Crawford
/ Prince Green and Geary behaved with conspicu
Gus gallantry Augur and Geary were severed
wounded, and Prince, by losing his way the
dark while passing from one fink TO the other
| fell into the hands of the enemy.
desire publicly to express my appreciation oil
the prompt and skilful manner in which General
Mcdowell and Sigel brou; mt forward tier re
speclIve commands and established them IN the
field. and Of their cheerful and hearty CO opera
ton with me from beginning TO end.
Brig Gen. Roberts, Chief OF Cavalry OF thi:
army, was with the advance of our forces or
Friday and Saturday, and conspicuous fol-
gallantry and for the valuable aid be rendered
Gems Banks and Crawiori
! Our loss was about 500 killed wounded and
m IS NJ, of whom twenty-niGe were takeu pris
/ oners
As might be expected from the character o
the engagement very large proportion of these
I were killed
The enemy's loss in killed wounded and pris
oners, we are now satisfied, is much in excess VI
our own.
A full list OF casualties viii be transmitted n,
soon "a possible together with a detailed report
in which shall endeavor 10 do Justice 10 all.
JoHy PoPE.
Major General Commanding.
From Missouri.