The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-13

Retrospective Glance &C she Hat
lies on thc RapPahannOeks ThO-
roughfare Gap, BniI Run-'rhe
Fight ON the Orange ana Alcxan-
dria Railroad---Our LOsscs-.-Citi-
zens Captured --- StraggIers a
splendid Chnrge---gI odern ChlyaI-
Fy-InestimHblo GeneraIship,
FAIRFAX c. H., Va, Sept. 2, 1862.
a retrospective glance at the move
ments of the opposing forces during the
last three weeks may be both interesting
and instructive. After the battle Of Cc-
dar Mountain, the Union forces concen-
trated in the vicinity Of Gulpepper; the
enemy advancing in superior numbers
Gen Pope's army on Sunday evening,
August II, continuing the retrograde
movement commenced at Cedar Noun
tain, and fell back to the Rappahannock
river, where il arrived Wednesday, the
goth of August In this movement the
rear was protected by BuSord's and Bay
ards Cavalry, who had \ smart skirmish
with the advance Of the enemy on Tues
day, the 10th, when tho latter were re-
pulsed with heavy loss, and the rear
guard, under orders, fell back upon the
main body, near Rappahannock Station,
/ across the Rappahannock. On Thurs
/ day, August 81, the enemy had stationed
i batteries along the river bank on our
front for miles, and at an carly hour at
tempted TO discover Tie exact position Of
our forces by opening an artillery Gre
along our whole front. This demonsira-
tiOn was promptly responded 10, and the
enemy's batteries were each in turn 81
fenced, forcing them to be constantly
changing their position. This artillery
duel was keptup for three days-Thurs-
day, Friday and Saturday-mixed up
with occasional work by the infantry
and cavalry on both sides, and was real
ly the most magnificent artillery fight
of the war. Bayard's cavalry repulsed
a movement, then supposed to be an at
tempt to turn our left flank, bus which
subsequent events lead to the belief that
it was intended only rs feint, TO give
them better opportunity 70 operate on
our right and centre, each of which were
successfully tried, but without gaining
the desired object-a foothold upon the
left bank of the river. During these
three days there were several brilliant
dashes made principally by troops under
the command of General Sigel. Or
Thursday, Gen. Sigel crossed the riyel
at ford several miles above the railroad
bridge, TO reconnoitFe. He returned tC
the left bank early in the evening, hay
ing had brief skirmish with the enemy
AT four o'clock the following morning h,
threw force across the river and mad
dash upon rebel battery Of eigh
pieces. lie was repulsed, but promptly
reformed, took the battery, but was no
able TO hold il, the enemy having receiy
ed large reiRlorcements. The next da,
the enemy attempted 10 execute simi
lar movement. Gen. Sigel permitted then
70 throw across two squadrons Of cav
airy and a battery, and as a brigade q
infantry got fairly into the river, he op
ened a destructive fire upon them froT
three batteries, destroying and capturin
nearly the whole force. A prisoner TAX
en- at the time, stated that he believe
he was the only man Of the inlanir
force who escaped with his life TIL
river, for time, at this point, was lille
with dead bodies, and the rebels wei
: very cautious, therefore, when they knc,
that Sigels command was in front ,
them. Sunday, the enemy succeeded
{ throwing a large force across the rive
above WaTenton, on Sulphur Spring
above Amissville and the bulk Of TIA
force passed up TO Salem and was the
Z joined by a force from Front Royal. A
but Longstreet and Hills command g
r through Thoroughlare Gap, on the MI
nd ] Nlaa1vanI
diately thrown back, and on Thmsda
- the 28th August, Ricketts, command WI
at The easterly entrance of the Gap,
dispute the passage Of LOngsheet, an
Hills command, said TO be 400
strong. Gen. Pope desired this force
> the enemy TO be kept back for five hom
when he would be prepared for them
step into q trap, said 10 have been La
D. for their benefit, but which miscarrie
.' it is said, owing 10 the tardy mOvemcn
OF some general who failed to arrige wi
his command In time. The contest
this point for three hours, from 4 till
O'clock, =. M., was a spirited one, and q
loss Of life on both sides was heavy.
this fight, Thompsons Battery, viii
y took such conspicuous part at Ced
T Mountain, rendered efficient service,
7 also did the fifth Maine Battery, and q
q Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers.
other points during Thursday, PORTO
- Of our force had contests with the encm
and were everywhere victorious.
On Friday morning the two armi
2. came together on the old Bull Run bait
4 ground, and had a pitched battle, viii
lasted all day. The Union forces occ
pied the battle field at night The co
lest was renewed the following day
r. Saturday-at an early hour, and the i
dications were, up TO four o'clock, I
Onion troops would prove the VictorE.
E AZ the hour named, through some a!leg
No mismanagement Of Gen Mcdowell, W
Ia. had command Of the left, the enemy 81
- ceeded in thanking ms. Every Off,
nd with whom the writer has conversed ,
, lieves this could have easily been avoid,
and many statements are made, not
all creditable 10 the General who b
command at this point This flank mo'
ment rendered ID necessary lor our au
,f 10 fall back upon OentreWlle which
oe did IN good order, leaving the rebels
ar possession Of the field. On Sund
NJ. morning the enemy attacked our left
I feint-but there was no general engas