Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-08-19
THE CEDAR MOUNTAIN BATTLE
Official Report from Gen. Pope.

llit f0Nh W AulplliiltA hiANi A'A1hAoNh NNAAN
House. had established my whole
force on the turnpike between Cupepper
and Sperryville, ready TO concentrate at
either place as soon as the enemyS 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 General Sigcl ut Sperryvilc, and |
that the main attack of the enemy would |
be at Culpepper to which place | had
thrown forward part of Banks and Me
Dowcll's corps.
lrigadier General Bayard, with part
of the rear of McDowell's corps, who was
in advance near the Rapidan, fell slowly
back, delaying and embarrassing the
enemy's advance as far as possible, and
capturing some of the men,
The force of Banks and Sigel, and one
of the divisions of McDowcl's corps, were
rapidly concentrated at Culpeper during
Friday and Friday night, Banks corps
being pushed forward five miles south of
Culpepper, with Ricketts, division of Me-
Dowell's corps three miles in his rear.
The corps of Sigel, which had marched
all night, was halted in Culpepcr to rest
for IL few hours.
On Saturday, the enemy advanced ra-
pidly TO Cedar Mountain, the sides of
which they occupied in heavy force
Gen. Banks was instructed TO take up his
position on the ground occupied by Craw
ford's brigade of his command, which had
been thrown out the day previous 10 OBJ
serve the enemy's movements He was
directed not to advance beyond that
point, and if attacked by the enemy, to
defend his position, and send back timely
notice. 1t was my desire TO have time TO
give the corps of Sigel all the rest posi-
Bile 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 five O'Clock, at which time a
few skrmishers were thrown forward on
each side, under cover of the heavy woods
in which mis- force was concealed. The
enemy pushed forward II strong force in
the rear OF his skirmishers, and General
Banks advanced to The attack. The en-
gagement did not fairly open until six
O'Clock, but for one and half hours, was
furious and unceasing
Throughout the cannonading, which at
first was desultory and directed mainly
against the cavalry, had continued to
receive reports from General Banks that
no attack was apprehended, and that no
considerable infantry force of the enemy
had come forward yet.
Towards evening the increase in the
artillery firing had satisfied me that I'M
+ engagement might be at hand, though the
latrness of the hour rendered il unlikely
| ordered Gen. Mcdowell to advance
Ricketts, division to the support of Banks,
I and directed Gen. Sigcl to bring his men
upon the ground as soon as possible
arrived personally on the field at I
5 O'Clock =. NJ, and found the action
Il raging iuriously. The infantry lire was
: incessani and severe
= / found Banks holding the position he
: took up early in the morning. His losses
II were heavy.
5 Ricketts, division was Immediately
n pushed forward and occupied the right
of Banks, the brigades of Crawford anG
vi Gordon being directed to change theil
f.. position from the right and mass them
J. selves in the centre. Before this chang,
I could be made it was quite dark, thougl
p the artillery fire continued at short rang,
is without mtermission. The artillery fire
n at night by the I'd and 9th Maine bate
o ries in Ricketts, division, Mcdowell
s. corps, was most destructive, as was readi
ly observed the next morning in the deaf
men and horses, and broken gun. carriage
= of the enemy's batteries which had beel
~ advanced against it,
Sc Our troops rested on their arms during
D, the night in line of battle, the heav
is shellng being kept up on both sides un
ne Ill midnight At daylight the mex
le morning the enemy fell back two mile
~ from our front, and still higher up tn
US mountain. Our pickets at once advances
and occupied the ground The fatigu
us of the troops from long marches and eX
re cessive heat made it impossible for eithe
H. side to resume the action on Sunday
The men were allowed to rest and recrui
ne the whole day, our only active operation
IL being of the cavalry on the enemy's fan
sl- and rear Monday was spent in buryin
W the dead, and in getting of the wounded
The slaughter was severe on both side
he most of the lighting being hand to han6
OF The dead bodies of both armies wer
found mingled together in masses owe
~ the whole grouud of the conflict Th
mt mt burying of the dead was not complete
,ut until dark OIL Monday, the heat being $
he terrible that severe work was not poss
he BILE.
=, On Monday night the enemy fled irol
gu the field, leaving many of his dead III
ha buried and his wounded on the gronn
ter and along the road to Orange Cou
House, as will be seen from General Bl
cry iord's despatch. A cavalry and artller
e force under General Bnforl, was imm
he diately thrown forward in pursuit, an
ne followed the enemy to the Rapidan. ov,
Of which he passed with his rear guard !
in ten O'Clock in the morning. Parts Of OF
md infantry followed the remainder we
me sent forward in the morning. The b
ON havor of Banks corps during the actio
OF was very fine No greater gallantry an
, pre- daring could he exhibited byany troops.
'"' 'nt cannot speak too highly Of the intrepidi
her. her. of General Banks himself during II
his whole of the engagement. lie was
on. the front, and exposed as much as NJ
md man in his command. His example WI
'sl- of the greatest benefit to his troops, an
he merits and should receive the cor
yer mendation of his Government
up Generals Williams, Augur, Gordo
his Crawford, Prince, Green, and Geary b
'eu haved with conspicuous galantry Angl