Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-19
FgOH GENERAL POpE's ARMY.
Pops's Ofleial Report Of the Late Battle.
HIS EuLoGIUM on GENERAL RANKS.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, !

/ On Thursday morning the enemy crossed the
| Rapidan at Barnetts Ford in heavy force and
/ advanced strong on the road to Culpepper and
Madison G. FL. I had established my whole
force on the turnpike between Culpspper and
Sperryviile, ready to concentrate at either
place as soon as the enemy's plans were devsl-
oped. Early on Friday it became appaSent
that the move on Madison Court House was
merely feint to deceive the army corps Of
Gen. Sigel at Sperryville, and that the main
attack of the enemy would be at Culpepper, 10
which place / had thrown forward part of
Banks and McDoEelrs corps. Brig. Gen.
Bayard, with part Of the rear of McDoweiI's
corps, who was in the advance near the Rapi-
dan, fell slowly back, delaying and embarrass-
ing the enemy's advance as far as possible and
capturing some of his men. The forces Of
Banks and Sigel and one of the divisions of
McDowelps corps, were rapidly concentrating
at Culpepper during Friday and Saturday
night, Banks corps being pushed forward five
| miles south Of Culpepper, with Ricket's oiVi-
sion of McDowells corps. Three l-t.a- n his
| rear the corps of Gen. Sigel, which had
| marched all night, was halted in CuIpepper to
rest re hours On Saturday the enemy ad.
vanced rapidly 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 Crawford's
thrown out the day previous to observe the
enemy's movements. He was directed not to
advance beyond that point, and if attacked BIZ
the enemy to defend his position, and send
back timely notice. 1t was my desire to have
time to give the corps of Gen. Sigel all the
rest possible after their forced march, and to.
bring forward all the force at my disposal.
The artillery of the enemy opened early in
the afternoon, but he made nc advance until
- -. Il e Il
mishers were thrown forward on each side
under cover of the heavy wood in which his
force was concealed. The enemy pushed for
ward strong force in the rear of his skir-
mishers, and Gen. Banks advanced to the at
tack. The engagement did not fairly open
till after six O'clock, but for an hour and
half was furious and unceasing. Throughout
the eannonading, which was at first desultory
and directed mainly against the cavalry, had
continued to receive reports from Gen. Banks
that no attack was apprehended, snl that no
considerable infantry force of the enemy had
come forward.
Towards evening the increase in the artil-
lery firing having satisfied me an engage
| ment might be at hand, though the lateness of
the hour rendered il unlikely, ordered Gen.
Mcdowell to advance Rockets division to sup
port Gen. Banks and directed Gen. Sigel to
bring his men on the ground as soon as pos
sible. arrived personally on the fed at
p NJ, and found the action raging furiously.
| The infantry fire was ineessant 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 advance of
| Gen. Banks, the brigade of Gen. Gordon be-
| ing directed to change their position from the
| right, and mass themselves in the center. Be-
| fore thischsnge could be effected it was quite
! dark, though the artillery continued at short
range, without intermission. g & sA
The artillery fire at night by the I'd aud 9TH
Maine batteries, in Rickets division of Gen.
| McDowelfs corps, was most distinctive, as was
readily observable the next morning in the
dead men and horses, and broken gun car
riages Of the enemy's batteries which had been
advanced against il. Our troops rested on
their arms during the hight in line of battle,
| q heavy shelling being kept up on both sides
until midnight. At daylight next morning
+! the enemy fell back two miles from cur front
and still higher on the mountain. Our pickets
at once advanced and occupied the ground.
The fatigue of the troops, from long marches
and excessive heat, made it impossible for ell
ther side to resume the action on Sunday.
The men were therefore allowed to rest and
recruit the whole day. Our only active ole-
ration being that of cavalry on the enemy's 3
flank and rear. Monday was spert in burying
the dead and in getting off the wounded.
Tho slaughter was severe on both sides, most
Of the lighting being hand to hand. The desd
bodies of both armies were found mingled to-
| gether in masses over the whole ground of
conflict. The burs ing of the dead was not
completed until dark. On Monday the heat
l being so terrible that severe work was net pos
sible. On Monday night The enemy fled from
the field leaving many of his dead unburried
| ra1 an ho nd nd al = ha
road to Orange Court House, as viii be seen
from Gen. Baford's dispatch. A cavalry and
artillery force under Gen. Buford was Imme-
diately throw forward in pursuit and followed
the enemy to the Rapidan, over which he pas
sed with his rear guard By 10 o'clock in the
morning.
The behavior of Gen. Banks corps during
the fight was very fine. No greater gallantry
and daring could be exhibited by any troops
/ cannot speak too highly of the GOODNESS and
intrepidity of Gen. Banks himself During
the whole Of the engagement he was IN shs
front, and exposed as much as any man IN tins
command. His example was of the CREATES
benefit, and he merits, and should receive tbs
commendation of his government. Generals
Williams, Augur, Gordon, era wford, Prince
Green and Geary behaved with conspicuoui
gallantry. Generals Augur aud Geary were
severely wounded, and Prince, by losing hi
way in the dark, while passing from on,
flank to another, fell into the hands of th'
enemy. 6tG 44G A5A&b T4
l desire publicly TO express my appreciation
of the prompt and skillful manner in which
Generals Mcdowell and Sigel brought forward
their respective commands and established
them on the field and of their hearty cooper
alton with me from beginning to end. Briga
: der General Roberts, chief of cavalry of thi
army, was with the advance of our forces OF
| Friday and Saturday, and was conspicuous 70
his gailantry and for the valuable aid he rel
dersd 70 Gems. Banks and Crawford. Our los
was about 1900 killed, wounded and missing
Of whom 29o were taken prisoners As nigh
be expscted from the character of the engage
ment, very large proportion Of these wer
d killed. The enemy's loss in killed, Wounds
and prisoners, we are now satisfied, Is much i
| T.. ELL liat Of nasllal ltie