Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-08-15
Genernl Pope,s Report.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA
CEDLR MouNrAIN. Aupnat l3-bP M


CEDAR MOUNTAIN, August 1876 P. M.
To Major General Hdlleek, Commandey-in Chief
On Thursday morning, tho enemy crossed the
Rapidan at Barnett's Ford in heavy force, and
advanced strong on the road to Cupepper and
Madison Court House had established NV
whole force on the turnpike between Culpepper
and Sperryville, ready to concentrate at either
place as soon as the enemy's plans were deyel-
oped. Early on Friday it became apparent that
the move on Mad son Court House, was merely
q feint to drive the army corps of General Sgel
at Sperryville, and that the main attack of the
enemy would be at Culpepper, to which place l
bad thrown forward part of Bankss and Nc
Dowell's corps
Brig. Gen. Bayard, with part of the reserve
of McDowelps corps, who was in the advance
near the Rapidan, fell slowly back, delaying
and embarrassing the enemy's advance as far
as possible, and capturing some of his men.
The forces of Banks and Sigel and one of the
divisions of MoDowell's corps, were rapidly
concentrating at Culpepper during Friday and
Saturday night, Banks's corps being pushed for
Werd five miles south of Culpepper, with Rick
ett's division Of McDoWell's corps three miles
in his rear.
The corps of Gen. Slgel, which had marched
all night was halted in CulpeppoF to rest few
hours.
On Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly to
Cedar Mountain, the sides of which they occu-
pied in heavy force.
General Banks was instructed to take up his
position on the ground occupied by Crawiord's
brigade of his command, which had been thrown
out the day previous, TO observe the enemy's
movements. He was directed not TO advance
beyond that point, and If attacked by the enemy,
to defend his position, aud 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 the forces at my 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 skirmish.
ers 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 akirmishers and General Banks
advanced to the attack. The engagement did
not fairly open until after six O'Clock, but for
an hour and a half was furious and unceasing
Throughout the cannonading, which was at first
desultory and directed mainly agains. the GOV.
airy, had continued to receiVe reports from
Gen. Banks that no attack was apprehended,
and that no considerable infantry force of the
enemy had come forward, yet toward evening
the increase In the artillery firing having salts.
fed me an engagement might be at hand,
though the lalenees of the hour rendered it un-
likely.
l ordered Gen. Mcdowell to advance Rick
ett's division to support Gen. Banks, and di-
rected General Sigel to bring his men on the
ground as soon as possible. l arrived person
ally on the field at p. NJ, and found the action
raging iuriously. The infantry fire was inoes-
SAINT and severe, l found Gen. Banks holding
the position he took up cary in the morning
His losses were heavy Ricketts, division was
Immediately pushed forward, and occupied the
advance Of Gen. Banks, the brigade OF Gen
Gorden being directed to charge their position
from the right and mass themselves in the cen
ter. Before this charge could be effected, Il
was quite dark, though the artillery continued
at short range without iDtermission
The artillery fire at night by the Cd and 5tl
Maine batteries in Reckitt's division of Genera
McDowell's corps, was most destructive, as wa
readily observable the next morning, in tn
dead men and horses and broken gun carriage
of the enemy's batteries which had been ad
i vanced against IL.
Our troops rested on their arms during tn
night, in line Of battle, q heavy shelling bein
kept up on both sides until midnight. At day
i light next morning, the enemy fell back tw,
miles from our front, and still higher up tn
mountain. Our pickets at once advanced an
occupied the ground.
II The fatigue of the troops from long marche
and excessive heat, made it impossible for eithe
side to resume the action on Sunday. The me
were therefore allowed to rest and recruit th
whole day, our only active operation being tina
Of cavalry on the enemy's flank and rear
MOndvy was spent in burying the dead and i
getting off the wounded.
j The slaughter was severe on both eides, mos
of the fighting being hand 90 hand. The dea
bodies of both armies were found mingled Il
, gether in masses over the whole ground Of cor
] flict.
, The buryng Of the dead was not complet
until dark on Monday, the heat being so terr
! BILE that severe work was not possible. o
Monday night the enemy Aed from the field
, leaving many Of his dead unburied and hi
wounded on the ground and along the road I
Orange Court House, as will be seen from Ger
| Buford's dispatch.
i A cavalry and artillery force under Gen. Br
ford was Immediately thrown forward In pursu
and followed the enemy to the Rapidan, ovs
: which he passed with bis rear guard by
0 o'clock In the morning. The behavior OF Ger
BAnke's corps during the action was very 6n
No greater gallantry and daring could be exh
. bited by any troops. ----..-----.,.
kCainot speak TOO highly Of the coolness On
intrepidity Of GeneEel Banks himself durir
Q Aha vShnlo ~ ehaa an wa0anank ia vvaa 4. a.