Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-18
WHOLE NO. 1,2G6.
Grltarapblt Qt@s.
Prom Pope,s Department.


leek, Commander in Chief On Thursday morn
ing the enemy crossed the Rapidan at Barnet's
Ford in heavy force and advanced strong on the
road to Culpepper and Madison c. III. 1 had es-
tablished my whole force on the turnpike be-
tween Culpepper and Speryvile ready to con-
centrate at either place as soon as the enemy's
plans were developed.
Early on Friday il became apparent that the
move on Madison Q. h was merely a feint to de-
ceive the army corps of Gen. Sigel at Sperryville
and that the main attack Of the enemy would be
at Culpepper, to which place / had thrown for
ward part of Generals Banks's and McDowel's
corps.
Brigadier General Bayard, with part of the
rear of McDowell's corps, who was in the ad-
vance near the Rapidan, fell slowly back, delay
ing and embarrassing the enemy's advance as far
as possible, and capturing some of his men.
The forces of Banks and Sgel, and one of
the divisions of McDowell's corps were rapidly
concentrating at Culpepper during Friday and
Saturday night. Bankss corps being pashed for
ward five miles south of Culpepper, with Rick
etts's division of McDowell's corps three miles
in his rear.
The corps of Gen. Sigel, which had marched
all night, was halted in Cupepper to rest few
hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly to
Cedar Mountain, the sides of which they occu-
pied in heavy force.
Gen. Banks was instructed to take up his-posi.
ton on the ground occupied by CrawfOrd's brig
ade of his command which had been thrown ont
the day previous TO observe the enemSs move
ments. He was instructed not to advance beyond
that point, and il attacked by the enemy, to de
iend his position, and send back timely notice.
1t was my desire to have time 10 give the corps
OF Gen. Sigel all the rest possible, after their
forced march, and to bring forward all the forces
at my disposal.
The artillery of the enemy opened early in the
afternoon, but he made no advance until nearly
D O'Clock, at which time a few skirmishers were
thrown forward on each side under cover of the
heavy wood in which his force was concealed.
The enemy pushed forward strong force in
the rear of his skirmishers, and General Banks
advanced to the attack.
The engagement did not fairly open until after
o'clock, but for an hour and half was furious
and unceasing throughout. Cannonading, which
was at frst desutory, was directed mainly against
the cavalry.
had continued to receive reports from Gen.
Banks that attack was apprehende6. and that
no considerable infantry force of the enemy had
come forward, yet toward evening the increase in
the artillery firing having satisfied me engage
ment might be at hah though the lateness Of the
hour rendered it unlikely, | ordered General Ne
Dowell to advance-Ricketts's division to sup
port Gen. Banks-and directed General Sigel to
bring his men on the ground soon as possible.
i arrived personally on the field at p. NJ, and
found the action raging furiousy The infantry
fire was incessant and severe.
| found General Banks holding the position be
took up early in the morning. His losses were
heavy.
Rcketts's division was simmedatelypushed for
ward and occupied the advance of Gen. Banks.
The brigade of Gems - and German being
directed to change their position from the right
and mass themselves in the center. Before this
change could be effected it was quite dark.
81 IL
without intermission.
The artillery fire at night by the % and 9th
Maine battery in Ricketts's division of Gen Nc
Dowell's corps, was most destructive as was
readily observable the next morning in the dead
men and horses and broken gun carriages of the
enemy's batteries which had been advanced
against il.
Our troops rested on their arms during the
night in line of battle. A heavy shellng being
kept up on both sides until midnight At day
light the next morning the enemy fell back two
miles from front and still higher up 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
either to resume the acton Sunday The
men were therefore allowed to rest and recruit
the whole day. Our only active operation being
that of cavalry on the enemy's flank and rear.
Monday was spent in burying the dead and in
gettlDg on tne wounded. Inc slaughter 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 over the
whole ground of conflict
The burving of the dead was not completed
until dark on Monday, the heat being no terrible
that severe work not possible.
On Monday night the enemy fed from the
field leaving many of his dead unburied and
his wounded on the ground and along the road
to Orange G. H., as will be seen from Gen. Bu-
ford's dispatch.
A cavalry and artillery force under Gen Bu-
ford was Immediately thrown forward in pursuit
and followed the enemy to the Rapidan. over
which he passed with his rear guard bv 10 in the
morning.
The behaviour of Gen Banks's corps during
the action very fine. No greater galantry
and daring could Le exhibited by any troops.
cannot speak too highly of the GOODNESS and
ntrepidity of Gen. Banks hims elf during the
whole of the engagement. He was in the front,
and exposed as much as any man in his CON-
mand. His example was of the greatest benefit,
and he merits and should eceive the eOmmenda-
ton of his Government
Generals Williams, Augur, Gorman, Crawford,
Prince Green and Geary behaved with cOnspicu-
Gus gallantry. Augur and Geary were severely
wounded, and Prince, by losing his way in the
dark while passing from one flank to the other,
fell into the hands of the enemy.
desire publicly TO express my appreciation of
the prompt and skillful manner in which Generals
Mcdowell and Sigel brought forward their re-
spectIve commands and established them in the
field, and of their cheerful and hearty cO-opera-
ton with me from beginning to end.
Brig Gen. Roberts, Chief of Cavalry of this
army was with the advance of our forces on
Friday and Saturday, and was conspicuous for
gallantry and for the valuable aid he rendered
Gems Banks and Crawford.
Our loss was about 500 killed wounded and
missing, of whom twenty nine were taken pris
oners.
As might be expected from the character of
the engagement very large proportion of these
were killed
The enemys loss in killed wounded and pris
oners, we are now satisfied, is much in excess of
own.
& full list of casualties will be transmitted as
soon rs possible together with detailed report
in which shall endeavor to do justice to ALL
john Porn,
Major General Commanding.