The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-09
THE RETREAT AND PURSUIT OF
POPES ARMY

The latest Northern papers bring rs the Fed
eral account of the retreat of Pope, and his en-
gasements with our forces. A series of dispatches
in the New York Herald, dated Washington, the
18th, give interesting history of what the Van
KEGS say has been done:
First, then, after the battle of Cedar Mountain,
the forces under Stonewall Jackson withdrew
from the vicinity of the Rapidan, and were fol-
some days unheard Of, ex cept that strong force
was in the vicinity of Madison Court House
some II miles to the westward, in the direction Of
Luray and the Shenandoah Valley; but it was
| supposed that this only wing of the army
under Ewell, intended to act as reserves to Jack
sons army, and to cover his retreat back to Cor
louisville. Not so, however. These forces of
Eweli we now find, to our surprise, were the main
I body of Jackson's army en- route for the Shenan-
doah Valley.
Jackson, with a force of $4,000 men, was to
march via the Shenandoah river, to point known
as Berryvlle or Berrys ford, some % miles north
west from Warrenton. Gen. Lee, with the bulk
of the rebel army, was to take the 'front.' left and
right, and engage Gen. Pope at or near the Rapi-
dan, while Jackson and Ewel were to cross the
Shenandoah river and mountains, cut off his sup
plies by way of the railroad and menace bis
But when Jackson had reached Gordonsville
and Madison Court louise, it was found that Gen.
was expected Gen. Lee with the main army,
had not yet come up, and it was feared that if
jackson continued on, as per programme Gen.
Pope would reach Gordonsvie before Lees arri-
val, and thus cut off his (Jackson's) supplies.
Consequently Jackson threw part of his army
directly in Gen. Pope's track at Cedar Greek,
hoping to check his advance across the Rapdan,
and the battle of Cedar Mountain was fought.
You will bear in mind that Jackson continued to
! oil II Hold hut
morning he was gone; and, as our scouts brought
US word that large reb army at Gordonsville
and Orange Court House, it was believed that
Jackson had retreated in that direction. But not
jackson had moved off through Madison
Court House, and the immense rebel force at
Gordonsville and Orange were the main army,
under Gen Lee who had arrived from Richmond.
| When Jackson left Cedar Mountain, he pro-
ceeded Immediately to Madison Court House,
army marched to Luray, in the Shenandoah Val
ley thence northward to Berry's ford, where he
crossed, while Lee was keeping Gen. Pope en-
gagged in front. Lees plan to keep Pope be-
tween the Rapidan and the Rappahannock rivers
until Jackson had attacked his position at Manas-
Cor perhaps at Rappahannock bridge;) but
Gen. Popes retreat to the Rappahannocks north
bank frustrated that design, and rendered it
necessary for Lee to follow up his advantage and,
| ton from his and divert it to his front.
Gen. jackson crossed the Shenandoah at Ber-
rvs Ford on Wednesday, Goth, and Immediately
started across towards Warrenton but when he
had proceeded few miles he learned that Pope
had fallen back, and that Siegel, with the right
of our army, was in occupancy of Warrenton
Springs Then he changed his course further to
the northward, and on Friday night encamped
twelve miles north Of Warrenton and two miles
west Of the main road leading to Winchester
Here strong pickets were thrown out, and every
human being for miles around was taken into
camp and retained in durance. That nighta body
Of cavalry under Gen. Stuart pushed into Catlett's
Station and surprised and destroyed the staff train
Of Gen. Pope. On Sunday and Monday General
jackson, with his army, moved forward, and
Tuesday reached Centreville from whence the
force of VIM. Fitz Hugh Lee moved on to Manas-
sas the same night, Jackson following the next
day, SO that on last Wednesday evening we found
! forty thousand rebels in Gen Popes rear on the
| railroad his supplies cut off, and he hemmed in by
his foes the front, rear, and flank.
Not all, however, of Jackson's army are at Ma
nassas, as force, valiously estimated at from five
to ten thousand men, mostly quite all cavalry,
continued on down the Shenandoah in the drec-
ton Of Harper's Ferry, when Jackson moved to-
ward Manassas. Of this force | learn but little
since their departure from Berry's Ford; but |
dI vi CucIE ueSlSu Is 10 Gross the IOIOul-
&C into Maryland, or to divert attention from the
more important fields of Virginia. Already we
hear of rebel force being in the rear of Winches
ter ana between that place and the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, and it is more than probable this
is the first appearance in new quarter of this off
shoot of Jacksons army.
The idea we had INDUCED in here, that the cap
ture OF Manassas was only successful raid by
body of rebel guerrilas is now dissipated. Jack
son again occupies Manassas in force. He has
captured and destroyed vast amount of property
how much it is impossible to say but this much
is known; there are eleven locomotives and eighty
four cars beyond tie break The Bull Run
bridge is destroyed, as are two or three others of
the vicinity.
General Popes movements for the past three
days we know but little of, as the rebels have de-
stroyed our railroad and Geographic communica-
tons.
Evidently, as write, terrible battle is raging
and on its result must hinge this war. If we are
! successful, that part of the army under Jackson
must be annihilated, and that under Lee defeated ;
and if we are not successful, and the rebels over
power us, God alone can foresee the future of the
republic. But we are hopeful; for, thank God
and President Lincoln's backbone, Mcclellan is
again at the head of the army, as the telegraph
has already Informed you.
NORTH CAROLINA SToCKs-From late sales in
Richmond, we observe that North Carolina bonds
still occupy the head of the list among Southern