The Portland daily press., 1862-08-15

Two have since enlisted The other viii be
further dealt with. SKIEnIsnER.
From the Army of Virginia.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or VIRGINIA
August b. 1852.
To Ma. Gen. Halleck, General-in-Chief
On Thursday morning the enemy crossed the
| Rapidan at Barnett's Ford In heavy force and
advanced strong on the road 10 Culpepper aud
Madison Court House. had established my
whole force on the turnpike between Culpep-
per and Sperrysyille, ready 10 concentrate at
either place as soon AS the enemys plan were
developed.
Early on Friday morning IL became appar-
ent that the move on Madison Court House
was merely a feint 10 detain the army corps of
Gen. Sigel at Sperrysville, and that the main
attack of the enemy would be at Culpepper to
which place had thrown forward part of Gen.
Banks and Gen. MeDowell's corps. Brig.
Gen. Bayard, with part of the rear OF General
McDowell's corps, who was in the advance
near the Rapidan, fell slowly back, delaying
and embarrassing the enemy's advance as far
rs possible, and capturing some of his men,
The forces of Gems. Banks and Sigel, and one
of the divisions of Gen. McDoweli's corps,
were rapidly concentratedat Culpepper. Dur
ing Friday and Friday night Gen. Bansk' corps
was pushed forward five miles south of Gull
PcPpti, WIN ulhisiOu Vi Otfl. NC
Dowelfs corps, miles in his rear. The corps
of Gen. Sigel, which had marched all night,
was halted in Culpepper to rest for few
hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly to
Cedar Mountain, the sides of which were &C.
cuped in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was instructed to take up his
position on the grounds occupied by Gen.
Crawford's brigade of his commrnd which
had bppn thrown on he day oh,
serve the enemys movements. He was di-
rected not TO advance beyond that point and
If attacked by the enemy to defend his posi-
ton, and send back timely notice. 1t was my
desire to have time to give the corps of Cen
Sigel all the rest possible after their forced
march, and to bring forward all the forces at
my disposal.
in the afternoon, but he made no advance un-
til near o'clock, at which time few skirm
ishers were thrown forward ON each side un-
der cover of the heavy wood in which his force
was concealed. The enemy pushed forward
with strong force in the rear of his skirmish-
ers, and Gen. Banks advanced tn the attack.
The engagement did not fairly open until
after six, but Tor an hour aud half il was flu
rious and unceasing.
Throughout the cannonading, which was at
first weak and directed mainly against the cav
airy, had continued to receive reports from
Gen. Banks that no attack was apprehended,
and that no considerable infantry force of the
enemy had come forward; yet towards even
ing the increase in the artillery firing having
satisfied me an engagement might be at hand
though the lateness of the hour rendered it
unlikely, ordered Gen. Mcdowell TO advance
Ricketts, division to support Gen. Banks, and
directed Gen. Sigel to bring his men upon the
ground as soon as possible
arrived personally on the field at p. NJ,
and found the action raging furiously. The
infantry fire was incessant and severe. l
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 effected, it was
quite dark, though the artillery fire continued
at short range without interrnission.
The artillery fire at night by the I'd and 9Th
marine batteries, was most destructive, as was
readily observable the next morning by the
dead horses and broken carriages of the enc
my's battery which had advanced against them.
Our troops rested on their arms during the
night in line of battle, the heavy Smelling being
kept up on both sides until midnight.
AT daylight next morning the next morning
the enemy fell back 2 miles from our 'front.' and
once advanced and occupied the ground.
The fatigue OF the troops from long marches
and excessive heat, made it impossible for
either side 10 resume the action on Sunday
The men were allowed TO rest and recruit the
whole day. The only active operations were by
cavalry on the flank and rear.
Monday was spent in burying the dead and
getting oil 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
the conflict The burying of the dead was not
completed until dark on Monday. the heat
being SO terrible that severe work was not pos
sible.
On Monday night the enemy fed from the
field, leaving many of his dead unburied and
his wounded on the ground and along the road
to Orange Court House as will be seen from
Gen. Buford's dispatch.
cavalry and artillery force under Gen.
Buiord was Immediately thrown forward in
pursuit, and followed the enemy to the Rappi-
dan over which he passed with his rear guard
by 10 o'clock in the morning. The behaviour
of Gen. Banks corps during the action was
very fine. No greater gallantry and daring
could be exhibited by any troops cannot
speak too highly of the GOODNESS aud intripidity
OF Gen. Banks himself during the whole of the
engagement. He was in the front and exposed
as much as any man in his command His ex-
ample was of the greatest benefit TO his troops
and he merits and should receive the common
dation OF his government Gems. Williams
Augor, Gordon, Crawford, Prince, Green and
Geary behaved with conspicuous gallantry
Augor and Geary were severely wounded and
Prince by losing his way In the dark while
passing from one flank TO another fell into the
hands Of the enemy. l desire publicly TO ex-
press my appreciation OF the prompt and skill
iul manner in which Gems. Mcdowell and
Sigel brought forward their respective COM
mands and established them ON the field Of
their cheerful and hearty cooperation with me
from beginning to end.
Brig. Gen. Roberts, chief OF the cavalry of
this army, was with the advance of our forces
ON Friday and Saturday, and was conspicuous
for his galiantry and for the valuable aid TO
Gen. Banks and Crawford.
Our loss was about 1900 killed, wounded and
missing, OF whom 200 were taken prisoners as
might he expected from the character of the
engagement. A very large proportion of these
were Killed The cnemys loss in killed wound
ed and prisoners We are now satisfied is much
III excess OF our own. a full list of casualties
will be transmitted as soon as possible. togetb-
er with the detached report in which Shall
endeayor 20 do justice TO all.
lSlSnedl JOHN Pore,
Major Gen. Commanding
Speech of the President to Delegation of
Colored Men.