Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-08-14
GEN. P0PES OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE
BATTLE OF SlAUGHTeR'S MOUNTAIN.
Hsadqsdsters Army Of vtrgtsia,
Ckdnf Monaf1fa. August LIS

y
MsJor General Hal!eci, General In Chief:-On
Thursday morning the enemy crossed the Rspi.
dan at Barnet,'s Ford, in heavy force, and sd-
vsneed strong on the road to Culpeper and Madi-
son COURTEOUS had established my whole
force on the turnpike between Culpeper and sper-
ryville, ready 10 concentrate at either place as
soon as the enemy's plans were developed. Early
On friday 1t became apparent that the move On
Madison Court Houss was merely feint to de-
tain the army corps Of sigel 81 speryville, and
that tie main attack Of the enemy would be at
CulpeIer, to which place had thrown forward
part Of Banks and Nc Dowell's corps.
Brig. Gen. Bayard, with part o. the rear CT
McUoysellis corps, which was In advance near
the Rapidan, fell slowly hack, 1eaying and en-
b.yrsssing the enemys advance as FAR as possible,
and capturing some Of his men. The forces Of
Banks and Sigel and one Of the divisions OF
McDowelps csrps, were rapidly concentrated at
Culpepet during Friday and Friday night Banks'
corps having pushed forward I've miles south Of
Culpepet, with Rickstts' division Of McDoweIl's
corps three miles In ais rear. The corps Of Sigel,
which h,d marched all night, was halted In Gull
pepper 10 rest few hours.
Oa Saturday the enemy advanced rapidly to
Cedar Mountain, TIE sides OF which they occu-
pied In heavy force, and Gen. Banks was In
structed to take up his position on the ground
occupied by Crawford's brigade Of his command,
which had been thTowR out the day previous
80 observe the enemy's movements. He was d.
rected not to advance beyond that point, and II
attacked by tbs enetuy 10 defend his position,
aud send back timely notice II was nv desire
to have time to give the corps Of ssel all the res.
poss ible after their forced march, and TO bring
forward all the forces at nv disposal.
The artillery Of the enemy was opened early
In the afternoon, but he ma de no advance until
nearly S O'Clock, at which time few skirmish-
era were thrown forward on each side, under
cover Of the heavy woods In which his force
was concealed. The enemy pushed forward a
strong sorc. in the rear Of his skirmishen, and
Gen. Banks advanced to tie attack. The engage
ment did not fairly open until after ak O'Clock,
but for one and half hour was furious and IN
ceasing. Throughout the cannonading. which
at nrst was desultory and directed mainly against
the cavalry hal continued TO receive reports from
Gen Banks that no attack was apprehended, and
that no considerable Infantry force Of the enemy
had come forward: vet towards evening the In
crease In the artillery 8ring having satisfied me
an engagement might be at hand, though the
dered Mcdowell to advance Ricketts, division
to support Banks, and directed sigel to bring
his men upon the ground az soon a. possible.
arrived personally on the field at p. NJ, and
found the action raging furiously. The infan-
try fire was incessant and severe. found Banks
holding the position he took up early IN the
morning His losses were heavy. Ricketts, d.
vision was immediately pushed forward, and &C.
oupied the right Of Banks. The Brigades Of
Crawford and Gordon being directed to change
positions from the right and mass themselves In
the centre. Before this change could be effected
twas quite dark, though the artillery IRE con-
tinued at short range without intermission. The
artillery are at night by the Second and Fifth
Maine batteries In Ricketts, Division Of Mellow
ellis Corps, was most destructive, a. was readily
obser vable the next morning In the dead men
and horses, and broken gun carriages Of the enc
my's batteries, which had been advanced against
it %
Our troops Iested on their arms during the night
in line OF battle, the heavy shelling being kept
up on both sides until midnight. At daylight
the next morning the enemy fell back two miles
from our front, and still higher up the mountain.
Our pickets at once advanced and occupied the
ground. The fatigue Of the troops from long
marches and excessive heat made II impossible
The men were allowed to rest and recruit the
whole day, our only active operations being OF
cavalry on the enemy's flank and rear. Monday
was spent In burying the dead and In getting of
the wounded.
The daughter was severe on both sides, most
OF the fg hting being hand TO hand. The dead
bodies Of both armies were found mingled to-
gether In masses over the whole ground OF the
conflict.
The burying Of the dead was not completed
until dark on Monday, the heat being so terrible
that severe work was not possible. On Monday
night the enemy fed from tbs aeld, leaving
many Of his dead unburied, and his wounded on
the ground and along the road 10 Orange Court
House, a. will be seen from General Buford's
dispatch. aE." -
cavalry and artillery force, under Gen b.
ford, was Immediately thrown forward In pur.
suit, and followed the enemy to the Rapidan
river, which he passed with his rear guard by 10
O'Clock In the morning. Parts Of our infantry
followed the renal nder moved forward in the
morning. s,
The behavior Of Ban ks' corps during the action
was very fne, no greater gsllandy and daring
could be exhibited by any toops- 1 cannot
speak too highly Of the iltrepiditv and GOODNESS
of Gen. Banks himself, during tie whole Of the
engagement. He wss In the front and exposed
a, much a. any nan In his command His ex.
ample was Of the greatest benent 10 his troops,
and he merits and should receive the common
dalton Of his Government
Generals Williams, Augur, Gordon, Crawford :,
Prince, Green and GearY behaved with con
spicuous gallantry. Augur and Geary were Sc
verely wounded, and Prince, by losing his way
in the dark while passing from one flank Of his
command to the other, fell Into the enemys
s desire publicly to express my appreciation Of
the prompt and skillful manner In which Generals
Mcdowell and sigel brought forward their
respective commands and established them on
the field, and Of their cheerful and hearty CO.
operation with me nom the beginning 70 the
end f.rg a......# ...-. -. 10.
Brig. Gen, Roberts, chief Of cavalry Of this ar
my, was with the advance Of our forces on Friday
and saturday, ana was eonspiouousfor his gal.
lantry and for the valuable aid he rendsrsd 70
Generals Danhs and GfaWfosd Our lose vss
s1sna Z ffAen hundred killed wou A ga ,.,..