New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-20
cation Of different corps and the extent Of their 'front.'
arc points which obviously ought not to be stated

cation of different corps, and the extent of their front
are points which obviously ought not to be stated
AS to re-enforcements also, about which some anxi
ETY. seems to have been felt at home, it can only be
said that by the arrival of Gen. Kings Division
already publicly announced, and of other forces
which are not 70 we'll known to be here, the army
lis greatly strengthened
.Jackson's movements are of course obscure. IL is
a favoIite naneuver with him TO threaten several
points, then strike suddenly at one where be Is least
expected. Yesterday it lecame evident that he had
nor wholly abandoned the Rapidan, Tor with great
boldneas two regiments of cavalry crossed that river
and, driving in Sigels pickets, showed themselves
near his headquarters. The reconnaissance was
pu;hed with unusual determination, but Gen. Slgel
is hardly the man with whom it will be safe 10 re-
peat such experiments. As it was, the Rebels seem
TO have got of without loss, carrying with them
Lieutenant aud six privates.
Ii, rs last reported BY scouts and deserters, the
main force Of the Rebels is near Gordonsvlle, it Is
also evident enough that the Orange COurt-llOnse
road and the country adjacent to II and to the river,
is filed with detached bodies of considerable
stren2th Rebel pickcts line the right bank OF the
Rapiian and the Rebels seem To cross the river III
small parties with audacty and impunity. Whether
the crossing OF the aIidan is disputed or not, 1t
looks az if the advance through Orange County were
likely to bo harassed by skirmishers If not resisted
in force.
Gen. Pope advanced his headquarters to-day, and
established them on the battlefield at the foot Of
Cedar Mountain, just TO the left Of the ground where
the fighting Was hardest. The camp Is about three
miles beyond the last Gen. Pope, Gen. Mcdowell,
and their staiis leaving the old camp about nine,
rode TO the mountain and bali way up its face, then
across the fields and through the woods, whee Gen.
Bankss line Of battle was originally formed, and
nearly over the whole ground. The great strength
Of the Rebel position plaiIly seen from the Noun
tam.
Their forces were posted rather on the spreading
slopes at It's base than upon the abrupt ascent itself
but there were batteries well up the sides, mold
inx tt.ir right with impregnable strength and the
whole field was commanded IRON slight elevation
jackson must nave been able TO count every reg-
ment as il emerged from the woods, and to reckon
il. strength AS IL deployed in line. Ills troops
were not merely on higher ground and in the woods,
but lay behind the crest oil bill, aud were wholly
conoe asd.
The wLeat-feld and the corn.Geld over which our
troops bravey srove 10 cross, aud over which alter
ward came The Rebel regiments, hurrying IN pur-
suit are Scared with broad trails irdcnting aud
crossing in all directions. You may study, II you
will the hstory Of the fight on the surface OF the
ground, but Your most careless glance cannot fill TO
sec the white mounds and ridges beneath which
loyal aud dlsoyal are FL .epinS together.
From the .onths RI base Of the mountain broad
plain s,riches for many miles, divided by silver
line winch is the Rapidan and embossed with
scattered ihicsets and groves. There Is no indenta-
ton and the plain Is level on this sde the river,
that bu, for the woods 1t has little conceauient Tor
troous Camps are visible IN all directions, and OH
both banks Of the Rapidan. The distance is too
great TO estimate numbers, but tie Rebel camp IL
more than picket, may be one brigade or three.
pas,ing this morning by the hill where Gen. Pope
and Gen. Banks the night OF the battle were 81
suddenly attacked the distance between the bill and
the woods where tho Rebel battery was planted
49, Iv lIFhf t'rffu III. 4
20 the TOD of the SLOPE down which the Rebels
r. arped 10 certainly not more than fifty RODS. have
since heard that Of their cavalry, probably Off
oers pode Ia front Of and far beyond the battalion
s;raigbt for the spot where Gen. Pope was standing
They discharged their pistols Ms they came one thot
LiII;ng All infantry soldier who bad been sent for
ward with a me ss,sge the General, and another,
or the same Passing close 10 Captain Asch, OF Gen.
Pores staff. The regiment whose voiieys drove
bark the Rebels was the l2rh massachusetts, Colonel
Fletcher Webster. The nearness OF these two OH
cers eYplsirs "a remark l have heard attributed u
Gen. Pope that the Rebels were 80 cloee their pow
dor bnrnt his face The main body OF their cavalry
am certain did not get within fifty yards.
There NAV be certain advantage IN camping on @
battlefield but the advantages are not without I'M
pleasant compensaliops. Inc headquarters CHOSEN
today are in the centre Of square mile, every
wheIe strewn with unbured bodies Of horses. do
mo, know WHY 40 little care is taken 10 such mat
tors Every general and medical officer knows that,
in crowded camp, sickness ID sure to be the result
NJ eYposnre and in snch an atmosphere rs this. In
the comfort and ample room ofheadquarters, disease
has fewer chances. ! refer to the subject because
have seen repeated instances Of inexcussbe careless
80 frequent, that they are tie rule
and not the exception. The police Of the many
canrs in other respects is no better, and in some
things il Hs bad as can be.
This. too in hot climate, and in.Angust. There
10 no local malaria here 10 be dreaded but typhodal
levers are not local. They are the sure companions
of every iregulated camp, and in his climate and
season are more frequent and malignant than in
colder ones 1t has been quite possible TO clear the
ground and the air. In tins vicinity IL will be done
tomorrow; but why was II not done before The
weatr er has been COOL and the troops have had little
or moth 10 do. There can be no excuse for sncn
neglect The responsibility il on every officer, who
might have caused part OF the danger to be re-
moved The chief responsibility is with general and
medical officers II here none here disposed to
attend 20 such urgent duties, the attention of the
sanitary Commission may be prOiliably given to this
army as well as McClellan's.
The Bnttlc OF Cedar Mountain.
From, An Occasional Correspondence
CAMP IN rHx FIELD, Aug. 10, 1852