New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-19
Gen. G0rsloE's OFlciaI Report.

Byg .Gea. A. 5 WILKINS, Cemmaadisg Enu Drisi.n
Seclad .Gmy Corp. ArnVJ IDgiha.
SIR: have the honor to make the following re-
port OF the part taken by my brigade In the recent
battle OF Sa urdny, Aug 9, a. Cedar Mountain, three
miles from Cull Court-liouee, with the enemy
under Gen. Jsckson.
At O'Clock on the morning of the oh, after
hurried march of tie day beior,, which Wa pro
longed until II O'clock ut night, received orders to
remove my brigade from the town Of Culpcpper,
where were in bivouac, rapidly to the front, "a
Gen. Crawford commanding First Brigade, fIrst
Division, bad been attacked and needed assistance
Nv brigade was put III motion at once, and reaohs
the position of Geu. Crawford ct about IL m.
was directed by Gen. Roberts, Of Cen. Popcs staff,
10 take position on the extreme night, which occu-
pied with my command Of three regiments and two
batteries.
Until p. m, only few discharges from the enc
my's guns announced his presence. Al tins hour,
severe canDonsdpg began, extending from the Isft
Of our line scross the road rpon which our cepter
rested. Our batteries, served with great yigor, re-
spondcd manfuy and with such success that tie
whole Of left, CONSULTING Of Gen. Augur's Divi-
sion, advanced considerably from our ERE, position,
Notwithstanding the enemy occupied O hight which
gave him the advantage Of a pluBgng IRE.
Until 81 P. IN. this artillery practice continued
with ungba,iug severity. AT this hour heard quite
a rapid musketry firing in my front Dehiad range
of timber, distant shout one-ibird Of a mile from
nv position. l was ordered by you, Sir, TO
move At once with my brigade md support Gen.
C1w ford, who " as engaging the encmy'n lea.
moved ut once from my well chosen and exceedingly
strong POSITION gaining the scene OF action rs Briefly
as a doublc-q movement could carry me.
I'D into sciion the ID Massachusetts Regiment,
Co. @. l.. Andrews; 81 Wisconsin Regiment. Col.
RuQer, and the 9Th Indiana Regiment, Col Col
grove. sDould state that five companies Of the 81
Wisconsin Regiment, previously drpioyed ~ skir-
rnishers in this same timber, bsd teen ordered by
YOU TO Join Gen. Cmwiord's command, which, after
enga,i * the enemy with much gasntry. had been
compelled TO retire. i arrived ia the timber IA Col.
Ruger was rsllyiDg lis men, and added them 10 my
command.
The enemy were posted In the edge Of the woods,
on the opposite side of "a newly .mown wheat field
distance across this field about 200 yards. As ny
preached the opening the enemy, from bis concealed
position, received me with q rapid and destructive
ire, but my regiments, particularly the ID Massa-
cbusetis and 81 WiscoDsin, coolly took their ss-
sig,Ied places, and replied with conmendabe cool.
ness. For at least thirty minutes this terrible
fire continued. Companies were left without
oiiicers, aud men were falling In every direc-
ZION from the fro OF an enemy which large
ly ouinuinbered my brigade. Still there was no
general falling back. Some di-grscelul instances
Of cowardice lhero were, but these only served to
show III holder relief the majesty Of the courageous
bearing OF others. The enemy having gained my
ri.ht aud rear, which by their superior plumbers
they were enabled to do without check from me,
poured In destructive fire from this new direction.
TIE fire from the front had not been diminished
II was 100 evident that the spot that had witnessed
the destruction Of one brigade would be in "a few
moments the grave Of mine. i had resisted the
suggestion Of q staff officer Of your command to
withdraw when the contest seemed almost hopeless;
ont now my daty hsd been performed, - the reports
will show. l had lost more than thirty IN every
hundred Of my command; therefore reluctantly
withdrew, assembled my diminished numbers be-
20 the right Of tho line which had held since the
morning. This position occupied until relieved at
a late hour of the night by troops from Gen. Nc
Dowelps division. There we slept upon our posi-.
ton. We had not driven the enemy from his; fur.
Their than that If ho has anything Of which TO boast
rifles Of the LIST and Sd Brgades Of the Let Divsion
With my shattered brigade occupied the front Of
the center Of our line OF battle until near daylight.
In conclusion, ought-as thus do-to mention
the names of Col Andrews, "a Massachusetts, Regi
u,eut; Col Ruger, 81 Wisconsin Regiment and Col.
Cogroye. 9TH Indiana Regiment, us deserving
praise for gallant conduct. by no means limit n;
cominsnns.,:;on 10 tia ssliiss mentioned. 1 would
add the names of many commissioned and non'eom-
officers Of my command.
Tie dead, tho honored dead, spess for themselves;
they gave up their lives IT,. their country sake.
The living yet live fs;or their country, and tho
wounded in their suffering may he cheered by Tue
corsciousness that all this and moro they can Dear
for the ~.use Of American Freedom:
Cspt. OBrien, I'd Wisconsin Regiment Capts'
Cary, Williams, Abbott, and Goodwin, aud Lieut.
Perkins of the I'd Mass. These are some OF Tue
names TO be remembered 40 heroes--men who have
died that our country may survive. VII.
carried into action less than 800 men. lost in
about thirty minutes about 4G6 killed, wounded, ana
missing refer specially 10 the reports Of CSione's
OF Regiments Appended. o.. cho.
NV S,sG, Capt. II. b. Scott, A. A. g., Capt. Chas.
+. WDeaton, and Lieut.. Robert Shaw, Aids-de-
Camp. rendered me especial service IN my move
,nsnts owe them many thanks for their labors
AND coolness under this terrific fire.
.u, Sir with truly obediens servant
GYO' H. GORDON, Bhg. Gen. Commanding nv
Sd Brig, LIST Div, I'd Army Corps, Army oiNA