The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-08-21
The EBatfEe of Cedar Mountain
~-~GeneEaa Rope's OFFICIAL De-
epafGEl.
HEADQUARTERS ARaY OF VIRGINIA,

4
On Thursday morning, the enemy
crossed the Rapidan, at Barnel's ford, In
heavy force, and advanced strongly on the
road to Culpepper and Madison Court
House. l established my whole force on
the turnpike between Culpepper and
| Sperryville, ready to concentrate at either
place as soon as the enemy's plans were
| Developed
Earl on Friday it became apparent
that the move on Madison G. H. was
merely feint, to detain the army corps
! Of Gen. Siegel at Sperryville, and that the
main attack Of the enemy would be at
| Culpepper, to which place / had thrown
forward part of Banks and M'Dowe!Ps
corps. Brig. Gen. Bayard with. part Of
the re ar of M'Doweli's corps, who was in
advance near the Rapidan, fell slowly
back, delaying and embarrassing tie cue
my's ordnance as far as possible and cap
turing some Of the men. The force of
Banks and Sigel and one Of the divisions
of III Dowell's corps were rapidly concen-
trated at Culpepper during Friday and
Friday night Banks corps beng pushed
forward five miles south of Culpepper,
with Ricketts, division of MDowell's
corps, three miles in his rear. The corps
Of Sigel which had marched all night,
was halted in Culpepper to rest for a few
hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rap
idly TO Cedar Mountain, the sides Of which
they occupied in heavy force Gen.
Banks was instructed to take up his posi-
ton on the ground occupied by Crawford's
brigade OF his command, which had been
thrown out the day previous to observe
the enemy's movements. lie was directed
not to advance beyond that point, aud if
attacked by the enemy to defend his p0-
sitiUn and send back timely notice. 1t
was my desire to have time TO give the
corps Of Sigel all the rest possible after
their forced march, aud TO bring forward
all the forces at nay disposal
The artillery OF the enemy opened early
in the afternoon, but he made no advance
until nearly 5 O'Clock, at which time few
skirmishers were thrown forward on each
side under cOver of the heavy woods in
which his force was concealed The
enemy pushed forward a strong force in
the rear of his skirmishers, and General
Banks advanced to the attack. The en-
gagemcnt did not fairly open until
o clock, but for one and half hours was
furious and unceasing. Throughout the
cannonading, which at first was desultory
and directed mainly against the cavalry,
had continued to receive reports from
General Banks that no attack w1s appre-
hended, aud that NO considerable infantry
force of the enemy had come forward yet.
Towards evening the Increase IN the ar
tiilery firing having satisfied me that an
engagement might be at hand, though the
ateness of the hour rendered it unlikely,
[ ordered Gen M'Dowell to advance
Ricketts, division to the support Of Banks,
and directed General Sigel to bring his
men upon tie ground as soon as possible.
L arrived personally on the field at
seven o'clock, p. NJ, and found the action
raging furiously. The infantry fire was
holding the position he took early in the
morning. The losses were heavy
Ricketts, division was Immediately
pushed forward and occupied the right
of Banks The brigadcs Of Crawford and
Girden being directed TO change their
position from the right to mass themselves
in the centre. Before this change could
be effected, it was quite dark, though the
artillery fire continued at short range
without interInission.
The artillery fire was continued at night
by the Second and Fifth Maine batteries
in Ricketts, division, NJ Dowells corps,
and was most destructive, as was readily
observed the next morning in the dead
men and horses, and broken gun carriages
Of the enemy's batteries, which had been
advanced against it.
Our troops rested on their arms during
the night, in line of battle, the heavy
shelliug being kept up on both sides until
midnight. At daylight the next morn
ing the enemy fell back two miles from
our front, and still higher up the noun
tain. Our pickcts at once advanced aud
occupied the ground. The fatigue Of the
troops from long marches and excessive
heat made it impossible for either side to
resume the action on Sunday. The men
were allowed to rest and recruit the whole |
day, orr only active operations being of
the cavalry on the enehly's flank and rear. |
Monday was spent in burying the dead, |
and in getting off the wounded. The |
slaughter was severe on both sides, most |
of the fighting being hand to hand. The |
dead bodies Of both armies were mingled |
together In masses over the whole ground |
of the conflict The burying of the dead |
was not completed until dark on Monday, |
the heat being so terrible that severe work
was not possible.
On Monday mig BIT the enemy fed from
the field, leaving many Of his dead un-