The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-22
Official Report Of tho Baltic Of cul.
pepper.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or VIRGINIA.
August l3, 1862. (

To Maj. Gen. Hallcck, Gencral.in. Chief.
On Thursday morning the enemy crossed
the Rapidan at Barnett's Ford in heavy force
and advanced on tho road to Culpcpper and
Spcrryyille, ready to concentrate at either
place as soon as the cncmy's plans were do
vcloped.
Early on Friday morning 1t became appar-
cnt that the move on Madison Court House
was merely leint to dctain tho army corps
of Gen. Sigcl at Spcrryyillc, and that tho
main attack Of the enemy would DO Mt Cui.
pepper. to which place had thrown forward
part of Gen. Banks and Gen. McDowell's
corps. Brig. Gen. Bayard, with part OF tho
rear of Gen. McDowell's corps, who was in
advance near the Rapidan. fell slowly back,
delaying and embarrassing the enemy's ad-
vance as far as possible, and capturing some
of his men. The forces of Gen. Banks and
Sigel, and one Of the divisions Of Gen. Nc
Dowclls corps were rapidly concentrated at
Culpepper. During Friday and Friday night
Gen. Banks corps was pushed forward five
miles south Of Culpcpper, with Ricketts, d.
vision of Gen. McDowell's corps. 3 miles in
his rear. The corps Of Gen. Sgel which had
marched all night, was halted in Culpepper
to rest for few hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly
to Cedar Mountain. tho sides Of which were
occupied in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was instructed to take up his
position on the grounds occupied by General
Crawfords brigade, of his command, which
had been thrown out the day previous to OBJ
servo tho enemy's movements. lie was di.
rected not to advance beyond that point, and
if attacked by tho enemy, to defend bis po-
sition and send back timely notice. IL 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 their
forces at my disposal. :,
The artillery Of the enemy was opened
early in the afternoon. hut he made no I'D.
vance until nearly five O'Clock, at which timo
few skirmishers were thrown forward on
each side under cover of the heavy wood in
which his force was concealed. The enemy
pushed forward with strong force in the rear
of his skirmishers, and Gen. Banks advanced
to the attack. The engagement did not fair.
ly open until after six o'clock. but for an
hour and half II was furious and unceas-
ing. Throughout the cannonading which
wils at first weak and directed mainly against
tho cavalry, had continued to receive re-
ports from Gen. Banks that no attack was
apprehended, and that no considerable infant
~ force of the enemy had come forward yet,
towards evening, the increase in the artillery
firing having satisfied mo an engagement
might be at hand. though the latencss Of the
hour rendered IL unlikely, | ordered. Gen.
Mcdowell to advance Ricketts, division to
support Gen. Banks, and directed Gen. Sigel
to bring his men upon the ground as soon
as possible. arrived personally on the
field at 7 p. NJ, and found the action raging
furously. The infantry fro was incessant
and severe. found Gen. Banks holding the
position he took up early in the morning.
Ills losses were heavy. Ricketts, division
was Immediately pushed forward, and occu
pied the right Of Gen. Banks-thc brigadcs
of Crawford and Gordon being directed to
change their position from the right, and
mass themselves in the centre.
Before this change could be effected il was
quite dark, though tho artillery fire contin-
ued at short range, without intcrmssion.--
The artillery fire at night by the second and
fifth Maine batteries, in Ricketts, division OF
Gen. McDowell's corps, was most destructive
as was readily observable the next morning
in the dead horses and broken carriages Of
the enemy's battery. Oar troops rested on
their arms during the night, the heavy lrinS
being kept up on both sides until midnight
At daylight next morning tho enemy fell back
two miles from our front, and still higher up
tho mountain. Our troops at once advanced
and occupied the ground.
The fatigue Of the troops from long march
es and excessive heat made 1t impossible for
either side to resume the action on Sunday,
and the men were therefore allowed to rest
and recruit the whole day, our only active
operations being Of cavalry on tho flank and
rear. Monday was spent In burying the dead
and getting OF the wounded. The slaugh-
ter was severe on both sides. Most OF the
fighting being hand to hand, the dead bodies
of both armies were found mingled together
in masses all over the ground OF conflict.
The burying OF the dead was not complct-
cd until dark on Monday, the heat being ~
terrible that severe work was impossible.
On Monday night the enemy fled from the
field, leaving many Of his dead unburicd, and
his wounded on the ground and along the
road to Orange Court House, as will be seen
from Gen. Buford's dispatch.
A cavalry and artillery force under Gen.
Buford was Immediately thrown forward IN
pursuit and followed the enemy to the Rapl'
dan, over which ho passed with his rear
guard by 10 o'clock in the morning. The
behavior OF Gen. Banks corps during tho
action was very fine. No greater gallantry
ana bearing could bc exhibited by army
troops. cannot speak too highly OF the
coolness and intripidity Of Gen. Banks him
self during the whole OF the engagemcns'-
IIe was in the front and exposed rs much rs
any man in his command. Ills example was
of the greatest benefit To bis troops, and he
merits and should receive tho commendation
of his poyrnment. Gems. Williams. Augar,
Gordon, Crawford, Prince, Green and Gcary
behaved with conspicuous gallantry: Augar
and Geary were severely wounded, ana
Prince, by losing his way in the dark while
passing from one flank TO another, fell into
the hands Of the enemy.
desire publicly to express my apprecia-
ton of the prompt and skillful manner IN
which Gems. Mcdowell and Sigel brought
forward their respective commands and esi
tablished them on the field, and OF their
cheerful and hearty cooperation with me
from beginning to end
Brig. Gen. Roberts, Chief Of Cavalry Of
this army, was with the advance OF our for
ces on Friday and Saturday. and was con.
spicious for his gallantry and for his valuable
aid To Gems. Ranks and Crawford.
Our loss was about 1900 killed, wounded
and missing. OF whom 900 were taken pris-
Oncrs, as might be expected from the charae-