The Smoky Hill and Republican union., 1862-08-23
ANOTHER GREAT BArrlz NEAR RICHMOND.

ANOTHER GREAT BATTLK MAR RICHMOND.
oheial Repor. of the Battle Of Cedar Run.
HEADouARrERs Army OF VIRGINIA,
CEDAR MOUNTAIN, Aug ls, ls62}
To Mc: General Halzecz, Commander-in-
Chief:
On Thursday morning the enemy crossed
the Rspidan, at Barrett's Ford, in heavy
force, and advanced strong on the road to
Madison and Culpcpper Court House.
had established my whole force on the
turnpike between Culpepper aud Spring.
vile, ready to concentrate at either place as
soon as the plans of the enemy we're devel-
oped. Early on Friday it became apparent
that the move on Madison Court House
was merely feint to drive the army corps
OF General Sigcl at Springville, and that
the main attack of the enemy would be at
Culpepper, to which place 1 had thrown
forward part Of Banks and McDowclps
corps. Briadier General Bayard, with part
Of the rear of McDowelPs corps, who was
in advance near the Kapidan, fell slowly
back, delaying and embarrassing the ene-
my's advance as far as possible, and cap
turing some OF bis men.
The forces of Banks and Sigel, and one
Of the divisions of McDoweIps corps, we're
rapidly concentrating at Cu!pepper during
Friday and Saturday night, Banks corps
being pushed forward FIVE miles south of
Culpepper, with Ricketts, division of Nc
Dowell's corps three miles in his rear.
The corps of General Sigel, which had
marched all night, was halted at Culpepper
to rest 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 Craw-
ford's brigade Of bis command, which had
been thrown out the day previous to observe
the enemy's movements. He was directed
not to advance beyond that point, and if
attacked by the enemy to defend his posi-
ton and send back timely notice.
1t was my desire to have time to give
the corps Of General Sigcl all the rest
possible after their forced march, and to
bring forward all the forces at my disposal
The artillery Of the enemy opened freely
in the afternoon, but be made no advance
till near FIVE o'clock, at which time few
sklrmishcrs were thrown forward on each
side under cover Of the heavy wood in
which bis force was concealed. The enemy
pushed forward strong force in the rear
OF his skirmishers, and General Banks ad-
vsnced to the attack. The engagement did
not freely open until after six o'clock, but
for an hour and half was furious and un-
ceasing throughout. The cannonadipg,
which was at first desultory, was directed
mainly against the cavalry.
bad continued to receive reports from
General Banks that no attack was appre-
hended, aud that no considerable infantry
force of the enemy had come forward yet.
Towards evening the increase of the artil.
lery fire having satisfied me an engagement
might be at hand. though the lateness of
the hour rendered it unlikely, ordered
Gen. Mcdowell to advance Ricketts, divi- |
sion to support Gen. Banks, and ordered
Gen. Sigel to bring his men on the ground
as soon as possible. arrived personally
on the field at 7 p. NJ, and found the action
raging furiousiy. The infantry fire was
inccssant and severe. found Gen. Banks
holding the position he took up early in the
morning. Ills losses were heavy. Rick |
ett's division was being pushed forward, |
and occupied the advance of Gen, Banks,
the brigade Of Gen. German being directed
to change their positions from the right
and mass themselves in the centre. Before
this change could be effected it was dark,
although the artillery continued at short
range without termination. The artillery
fire at night By the Second and Fifth Maine
batteries, in Ricketts, division of General |
corps, was most destructive, as
was readily observable the next morning in
dead men and horses and broken gun car
raiges of the enemy's batteries, which had
been advanced against it. Our troops
rested on their arms during the night in
line of battle-heavy shclling being kept up
on both sides until near midnight
At daylight next morning the enemy fell
back two miles from our front, and further
up the mountain. Our pickets at once
advanced and took possession of the ground.
the fatigue of the troops from long marches
and the excessive heat, made it impossible
for either side to resume the action on
Sunday. .'
The dead bodies of both armies were
found mingled together in masses over the
whole ground Of conflict. The burying Of
The dead vas not, completed until dark on
Monday, the heat being SO terrible that
severe work was not possible. z" ms
The men we're therefore allowed to rest
md recruit the whole 9day, our opiY active