Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-20
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS OF fHE BAT
Tie Oh The RAPI9Af.
Pope Out.Generaled by Jackson
DESIGNS AND STRENGTH OF TAE
REBELS.
.scial Correspondence Of the Chicago Times


WAsHISGToS, August l3.-The battle on
the Rapidan on Saturday last was very i'm
portant affair, both as battle Of itself, and an
indication of the designs Of the Confederates
in that quarter, and their ability or otherwise
TO carry out those designs. l have seen to-day
several other officers direct from the scene and
from them, and from other sources equally
authentic, have gathered the following ad-
ditional particulars relative to the engagement;
It is clear that Gen. Pope has gained no
laurels in this battle. His entire dispositions
for the engagement display lamentable lack
of the qualities most essential in q successful
general. The terrible loss of life which we
suffered in the engagement is clearly charge
able upon his want of foresight, and his
neglect in not seeing personally that our
troops were properly supported. There Is
nothing in his conduct to indicate that he
knew twenty-four hours before the battle, that
the rebels we're marching to attack him yet
on Thursday, after driving us out of Orange
and across the Rapidan, the enemy had msssed
a strong column on the right bark of the Rap
idan, which they threw across on Friday morn
ing, driving in our pickets as they did so. Ev-
cry colonel in the corps knew this fact YetPope
either did not know it, or, if he did, had not
skill enough to penetrate the significance of
the movement. Bot this was not all the rebels
did on Friday. Cedar Mountain lies five miles
to the north Of the Rapidan, and midway be-
tween it and Culpepper. Our outposts had
been not only to the Rapidan, but across it.
We were virtually in possession of Cedar
Mountain and Of the nights around it. Yet
General Pope neglected to secure the posses
sion of Cedar Mountain, which was of course,
the key of the position. General jackson
knew this; but Gen. Pope, it seems, did not
know it. If he did, he failed to take advan-
tage Of II, although it was quite in his power
TO do SO. If, when the enemy first crossed the
Rapidan on Friday morning, Pope had sent
1000 of his troops Che Is supposed to have
three times that many, bat | don't say how
many he has-I only say that he could have
sent 10000 on any service, ard had plenty
left) to take Possession Of the Nights OF Cedar
Mountain, with directions to extemporize
few field-works there tan hours work would
have done it, be could have held the position
at least. But he did nothing of the kind. It
was jackson who, on Friday afternoon, pushed
forward, seized the nights of Cenar Mountain,
and occupied them with 1900 tru rs. Yec
what measures did he take to disiodgs the
enemy from this vantage ground be sent
Banks, with 5000 men, TO dislodge 1900
troops posted on chosen ground, protected by
underbrush, and covered with the same srtil-
lery that played havoc with our troops on
Saturday night. According to all accounts,
OaA1hS auO Ills dOOpb I4hS AcIOCS
But what could the valor of 5000 men avail
az ainst that of l7,oo02
Pope had at his command force vsriously
estimated a. from 40, 900 TO $1,000 men. Yet
he failed to concentrate them, or even 10000
of them, against 10000 Of the enemy, while
he permitted Gen. jackson to throw forward
10000 troops from Orange to the RIPARIAN,
and from the Rapadian to Cedar Mountain.
Let it be remembered here that, as lately as
August Sd, he telegraphed to the War De-
partmeRt that he (Pope) had crossed the Ra-
pdin and taken possession of Orange on the
| I'd. The rebels had to drive US out Of Orange,
and back across the Rapidan, before they
could cross.
1t looks very mach now as if Gen. jackson
was manouvering so as to draw Pope across
| the Rapidan. The rebel general is reported
| to have re crossed the stream with his 20, 600
troops, and to be now on its right bank. Pope
telegraphs to US here that his cavalry an6artil-
lery are in pursuit. This is just what Gen.
Jackson wants, unless Popes infantry are c.ose
at hand to act as supports. The rebel general
is full of wiles and stratagems, he knows
every inch of the ground; and, if Pope gets
the advantage OF him, he will be O great gen.
eral indeed. 1t is probably Gen. jackson s
plan to make feint of retreating, to draw
Pope across the Rapidan, and then 70 fall
upon him suddenly, while part of the Union
forces are still on the north side of the stream
At all events, it is certain that this battle,
bloody as it was, is only the prelude to the
great and decisive action which mHst take
place between Pope and jackson. In weigh.
ing The probabilities of the result of this com.
ing engagement it must be remembered that
if jackson find Pope stronger than he sup
posed him, he can instantly be reinforced from
Gordonsville TO any required amount. II ii
not supposed that jackson has on the line Of
the Rapdian, and between that and Orange
over $4,000 troops. But it is known that there
are more than that many at Gordonsville.