The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-22
FROM PoPE's ARMY.
POPE'S REPORT OF The BATTLE.
Gallantry Of Gen. Banks.
Enemy Across the Rapidan.
HER0ISM OF A UNION SOLDIER.
Force of Jackson 10000.

WASHINGTON, August 15.-Gen. Pope's
official report of the battle of Cedar Noun.
tains says:
Thursday the enemy crossed the Rapidan
in heavy force. Early on Friday it became
apparent that move on Madison Court
House was feint to drive General Sigel at
Sperryville, and the main attack would be
on CuIpepper, to which place 1 had thrown
forward Banks and McDowels troops.
The artillery of the enemy opened early
in the afternoon, but he made no advance
until five o'clock, and General Banks adj
vanced to the attack. The engagement did
not fairly open until six o'clock, but for an
hour and half was furious and unceasine
throughout.
had continued to receive reports from
Gen. Banks that no attack was apprehend-
ed, and that no considerable infantry force
OF the enemy had come forward. Yet to
wards evening 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 to Ricketts,
division to support Banks, and directed
Gen. Sigel to bring his men on the ground
as soon as possible.
[ arrived personally on the field at seven
o'clock, and found the action raging furi-
ously. 1 found General Banks holding the
position he took early in the morning. His
losses were heavy.
Ricketts, division was pushed forward
and occupied the advance of Gen. Banks
Our troops rested on their arms during the
night, and in line of battle. Heavy she'll.
ing was kept up on both sides till midnight.
In the morning at daylight the enemy
| fell back two miles from our front. Our
p'ckets at once advanced and occupied
their ground.
The fatigue of the troops, from long
marches and excessive heat, made it impos
sible for either side to resume action on
Sunday. The men were therefore allowed
to rest.
| On Monday night the enemy fled from
the field leaving many of bis dead unburied.
General Butord, with cavalry force,
was Immediately thrown forward in pur-
suit, and followed the enemy to the Rapi.
| dan.
The behaviour of General Banks corps
during this action was very fine. No
greater gallantry and daring could be ex~
hibited by any troops. cannot speak too
| highly of the GOODNESS and intrepidity of
General Banks himself during the whole of
| the engagement. He was in the front and
| IN, ho
mand. His example was of the greatest
benefit. He merits and should receive the
commentator Of bis government.
Generals Williams, Augur, Gordon,
Crawford, Prince, Green and Geary be.
haved with conspicuous gallantry. Augur
and Geary were severely wounded. l desire
publicly to express my appreciation of the
prompt and skillful manner in which Gen.
erals Mcdowell and Sigel brought forward
their respective commands, and established
them on the field.
| Brigadier General Roberts, chief of cav
airy, was with the advance on Friday and
Saturday, and was conspicuous for his gall
lantry, as well as for the valuable aid he
rendered. Our loss is about 1900, in killed,
wounded and missing.
JOHN POPE,
Major General Commanding.
SIGEL's HEADQUARTERS,
Rapidan, Aug. Ia. (
The enemy is still reported to be retreat
ing beyond the Rapidan river, although
they have force on the other side, with
guns in position, and large body of cav
airy covering the retreat OF the main body.
General Mllroy is in the advance, with
Geaeral Bayard's cavalry and some artille.
ry. The river is easily forded at many
points.
1t is stated that Stonewall Jackson's
army numbers at least 10000 men. He
has managed to move them all off safely,
excepting few stragglers. Some OF the
latter came into our camp last night and
said that almost all the Virginia soldiers
would desert, and thought they would be
we'll treated.
A Union soldier was found in the woods
on Wednesday, with bis musket barsel
grasped in both hands, The stock was
broken off, and eleven dead rebels were ly-
ing around him, some with their heads
smashed, and others in various ways, all
dead. This shows with what desperation
the Union hero had fought for his life, but
without avail.