Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-08-20

on the right, with the addition OF the Sd
Wisconsin, and an effort was made to drive
the enemy from their cover in the wood
During all this time the firing on both
sides was terrific, and the men were falling
by the score. The line advanced steadily
with the exception of the Sd Wisconsin,
under still CALLING fire, and drove the
rebels back The Wisconsin regiment fed
at the first fire, and it was with great diff
fculty and at great personal risk that the
general succeeded in getting them into line
again. They had hardly returned to their
position, however, before they broke and
ran again-in fact, proved worse than use
less. I b e M a n der of the infantry
charged upon the enemy's batteries, sever
al of which could not be seen until they
entered the wood, where they came suddenly
upon a large infantry force that had lain
concealed from the commencement OF the
fight. This force opened fire upon our
men with frightful effect The slaughter
at this point was very great. More than
one half the men of the 2Sth New York
we're killed and wounded. Col Donnelly,
commanding, was mortally wounded the
lieutenant colonel, Brown, and the major
are both wounded, and there is not cap
&ain of company left to the regiment. The
10th Maine lost about one hundred and
fifty in killed and wounded the 9th Con-
necticut suffered similarly, besides losing
Col Chapman, who was taken prisoner
The 46th Pennsylvania has hardly enough
men left TO form full company. Col
,ro,,oIa1 IN fbn haad and N
the arm, but not fatally Lieut.. Col. Self
ridge was slightly injured, and the major
was shot through his arm.
General Crawford and staff were near
being taken prisoners twice during the
fight. On both occasions they were ex-
amining different points, with view to
change Of position, when they came upon
the rebel pick ets Fortunately they all
escaped unhurt. While | am writing the
wounded are being carried to the rear, for
although the firing on both sides stopped
at p. m, it is expected that the fight will
be renewed in the morning, with largely
augmented forces on both sides. Our cav
airy force at Madison Court House, under
Gen. Beaufort, has been driven out, and
HUN OfOlJ pOlA1
that the rebels have determined to offer us
an obstinate and bloody resistance. What
the rebel loss has been, to day, we cannot
ascertain. [ will learn and send further
accounts as soon as possible.
Official Report From Gen. Pope.
Headquarters Army Of Virginia,
CEDAR MOUNTAIN, Aug. Is, 1862, P NJ. |
To Nag. Gen. HaIleck General in Chief:
On Thursday morning the enemy crossed
the Rapidan, at Bamellsford, in heavy force,
and advanced strongly on the road to Culpep- |
er and Madison Court House. had estab |
lished my whole force on the turnpike be |
tween Culpeper and Spcrryville, ready to con-
eentrste at either place as soon as the enemy's |
plans were developed.
Early on Friday it became apparent that |
the move on Madison Court House was mere
ly feint to detain the army corps of General |
Sigel at Sperryville and that the main attack
of the enemy would be at Culpeper, to which |
place l had thrown forward part of Banks
and McDowell's corps.
Brigadier General Bayard, with part of the |
rear of McDowelPs corps, who was in advance
near the Rapidan, fell slowly back, delaying
and embarrassing the enemy's advance as far |
as possible, and capturing some of the men.
The force of Banks and Sigle, and one of |
the divisions ofMcDowelPs corps, were rapi- |
dly concentrated at Culpeper during Friday |
and Friday night, Banks corps being pushed |
forward five miles south of Culpeper, with |
Ricketts, division of McDowelPs corps three |
miles in his rear.
The corps of Sigel, which had marched all |
night, was halted in Culpeper tr rest for a
few hours.
On Saturday, the enemy advanced RAPIDLY
to Cedar Mountain, the sides of which they |
occupied in heavy force. Gen. Banks was |
instructed to take up his position on the |
ground occupied by Crawfordss brigade of
his command, which had been thrown out the |
day previous to observe the enemy's move !
ments. He was directed not to advance be- |
yond that point, and if attacked by the ene-
my, to defend his position, and send back
timely notice. 1t was my desire to have
time to give the corps of 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 five o'clock, at which time few skir
nishers were thrown forward on each side,
under cover of the heavy woods in which his
force was con ntealed. The enemy pushed
forward strong force in the rear of his skir.
mishers, and General Banks advanced to the
attack. The engagement did not fairly open
until six o'clock, but for one and half hours,
was furious and unceasing.
Throughout the cannonading, which at
irstwas desultory and directed mainly against
the cavalry, had CO tinued to receive reports
from General Banks that no attack was ap-
pretended, and that no considerable infantry
force of the enemy had c. me forward yet.
Towards evening the increase in the artil-
iery firing had satisfied me that an engage
ment might be at hand, though the lateness
of the hour rendered it unlikely. | ordered
Gen. Mcdowell to advance Ricketts, division
to the support of Banks, and directed Gen,
>Sigel to bring his men upon the ground as
soon as possible.