The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-08-15

"A BattIe IN Virginia.
GEN BANKS AND JACKSON'S FORCES ENGAGED.
The special correspondent of the New
York Herald gives a very ineligible and
readable account of the fight on Saturday be-
tween the army corps of Gen Banks and the
rebels under Stonewall Jackson. He saws
The most desperate fight for the numbers
engaged since the war commenced occurred
on Saturday at Cedar Mountain, eight miles
south of Cul pepper Court House, Virginia.
Gen Pope had sent Gen Bank $ command to
the front early in the morning, and the dyi-
sions of Gems Augur and Williams took po-
stlon mile or a mile and a half this side
the ground OF the skirmish of the day preyi-
Gus. In the afternoon Crawtord's rigade of
Gen Williams division, composed the 10th
Pennsylvania, 10th Maine, 9TH Connection,
and 2Sth New York regiments, with Bests
battery of regulars, moved forws rd to a
piece OF high ground between Cedar creek
and Crooked river. some four miles north of
the point here the Culpepper and Gorclons-
vile turnpike crosses that stream To the
south OF this point, distant about three
tourths OF mile, rises the Cedar Mountains,
spur of the great thorouSh.are range. No
sooner had our troops emerged from the
timber on the north, and crossed Cedar creek,
than battery of heavy guns located in thick
timber halt way up the mountain side, OPEN
ed upon them with shot and shell, and an
other, OF smaller guns, from point of tim
Der about three-elghtS OF mile 10 the west
ward. Bests battery of Parrot guns was
immediately planted on the crest of the hill.
and began replying to the two, while the in
tantry was posted in line of battle TO the
right of the battery. The enemy kept up a
continuous fire from both batteries some half
an hour, which was rapidly returned BY Capt
Best, when three additional rebel batteries
opened from as many different localities. AT
about five o'clock the rebel infantry was dis
covered in strong force upon our right and
in front supporting the rebel batteries. when
word was sent back to the main body Stat
ing the fact. Immediately Gen Augur's di-
vision, with the remainder of Gen Williams
division. were thrown forward and posted
upon the right of Gen Crawford and front
ing the dense timber where the rebel in
tantry were posted.
DESPERATE FIGHTING.
Gen Banks now rode on to the field and
directed operations. Gen Geary's brigade of
Gen Ausers division had the advance and
maintained it admirably. Gen Geary's brig
ade consisted of the 9TH Ohio, 9TH Ohio. 10Th
Ohio, 18th Pennsylvania and Snaps bate
ry. No sooner had these troops taken their
places thar. the rebels opened musketry fire
upon them from two sides and in front, aid
ed by the batteries before mentioned. The
batteries on the mountain also kept up
most destructive fire, but the federal troops
never faitered or even WINGED. At half-pasl
five the battle became general, artillery reply !
ing to artillery and infantry to infantry, and
desperation was the order of the day. The /
fight continued until darkness put a stop to
the carnage. have Witnessed many battles /.
during this war. but have seen none where
the tenacious obstinacy of the American
character was so fully displayed. Our troops
fought with the valOr of veterans. No sool,- |
er did volley of musketry or discharge of
artillery NOW down the ranks of regiment
than the gaps were closed up and new
front presented. Regiment We'd with regi-
ment, and brigade with brigade. in deeds Of
valor; and few instances indeed where even
individuals faltered The Sth and 18th req
ulars attached to Gen Banks corps, led b,
Capt Pitcher, did excellent service. CAPTAIN
Pitcher was wounded severely, though not
dangerously, in the knee by musket shot.
but he kept the field until the en'l. With
the setting in of darkness the firing of mus.
kerry ceased, but the artillery upon the
mountain kept up a random firing until near
midnight. At dark our troops withdrew to
a small copse of wood, about half a mile to
the rear CT their first position, where they
were joined soon after by the corps of Cen
erals Mcdowell and Sigel, who formed in
their rear.
ARRIVAL OF MCDOWELL.
At nine o'clock in the evening the hungry
and wearied troops of Gen Banks were re-
lieved by portions of McDowel's command.
and fell back half mile, resting on their
arms in pleasant clover f.ld The night
was unusually lustrous, and all prominent
objects we've as plainly distinguished as in
the bright daylight. Thoroughfare noun
tain loomed up to the west, a rebel signal
light now flashing through space, and our
long columns standing by their muskets
stretched up and down all the slopes and
fields, we're dimly deserted with their faces
toward the enemy. Crawford's brigade
which had borne the brunt of the fight, threw
themselves, almost exhausted, upon the moist
grass, and talked over the adventures of the
battle. Some of the men incau,iously made
fires, and thus revealing our position, the en- ,
envy commenced Smelling US. Their firing :
was generally excellent, the shells BURSTING ,
among trains, ambulances and horses, soon )
our soldiers to move back toward !