The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-08-23
THE BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN.
Desperate Courage of the Union Troops
Severe losses Oh both Sides
Repulse of the Rebels
across the Rapidan.

rebel forces under Stonewall jackson and the army
of(,en. Pope, which was fought on Saturday, Aug
9. at Cedar Mountain, Va, about midway between
Washington and Richmond. The engagement was
one of the most momentOuS Of the war, not merely
on account of the desperate valor and untalterlng
discipline displayed by troops, the obstnacy OF
the contest and the heavy loss on both sides, but
because of its important effect upon the campaign
of which it makes part. 1t was an attempt Oh
the part Of Jackson to penetrate and recover the
Valley. Of the Shenandoah, whence the richest
supplies of the enemy are drawn, and ut the same
time to threaten Washington and Maryland, so as
to relieve Richmond and withdraw our armleS
again TO the line of the Potomac. To secure such
objects as these, and knowing that the Govern
ment was now relatively weaker, and the rebel
lion stronger than could again occur in the war,
the Richmond leaders sent the flower of the Sou
tiiern infantry, under their most popular and en-
terprispg generals, large body of cavalry, under
their most distinguished cavalry officer, Maj Gen.
Stuart, and an abundance OF artillery. W hen
Jackson had arrived with his forces as far as Louisa
Courthouse and Gordonsyille and tonnd the dis
position of Gen. Popes troops such that not only
his purpose TO enter the valley was foiled, but his
own direct communications with Richmond We're
interrupted, he called for further reintorcementS,
and with those, which were freely furnished at
tempted TO stem Pope's further advance upon that
.sroad. the destruction or even the permanently
TIN eatening OF which must bar from Richmond all
hope Of the material or political control OF Central
Virginia.
jackson attempted. by feint upon Madison
Courthouse and Speryviie, to detaln our force
at the latter poipt While at the same time he threw
the mass Of his forces, numbering 80, 600 men, by
wav of Orange Court house, upon Us at Culpep-
per- expecting to find only portion OF our forces
there, which he could oyerWhelm, and then march
on Sperryve from Cupepper, and crush the army
corps Of Sige
His plans were completely fojled by the rapid
concentration OF our forces 1T Cupcpper, and their
advance to meet him at Cedar Bun. After en-
deavoring in vain TO rout and drive Banks corps.
Jackson lonnd himself compelled at night, by fhe
rapid movements in front of him, TO fall back TO
strong defensive position at Cedar Mountain, and
lndng his line Of retreat growing Insecure, In the
succeeding night be retreated altogether, retiring
bevond Robertson's River and again beyond the
Rapidan. The result is Jackson is again tolled.
AMI forced to abandon his operations, and his pres
tige seriously impaired.
HEADQUARTERS OF TIE -ARMY OF VIRGINIA, [
CEDAR MOUNTAIN, Aug Is, 1862 p. N.
To Mai. Gen. Halleck Generalin-Chief:
On Thursday morning, the enemy crossed the
Hapidan at Barnctt's Ford in heavy force, and adj
vanced strong on the road to Cupepper and Mad
iSon Courthouse. bad established my whole
force on the turnpike between Cnlpepper and
Sperryvillc, ready to concentrate at either place
as soon rs the encmy's plans were developed.
Early on Friday it became apparent that the
move on Madison Courthouse was merely teint
to detain the army corps Of Gen Sige at Sperry--
Vile and that the main attack ofthc enemy would
he at Culpepper, to which place had thrown for
ward part OF Banks and McDowells Corps. Brig.
Gen. Bayard with part of the rear of McDowell's
Corps. who was in the advance near the Rapidan,
fell slowly back, delaying and embarrassing the
enemy's advance as far as possible. and capturing
some of his men. The forces Banks and Sigel,
and one ofthe divisions of McDowes corps, were
rapidly concentrated at Culpepper during Friday,
and on Friday night, Banks corps being pushed
forward five miles south of Culpepper, with Kick
ett's division of McDowell's corps three miles i'll
his rear. The corps Of Gen. Sigel, which had
marched all night, was halted in Cupepper to rest
for Il few hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly to
Cedar Mountain the sides Of which they occupied
in heavy force Gen. Banks was instructed to