The National tribune., 1889-07-25
ON THE RAPIDAN.
The Great Battle OF cedar MountaIn.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Having read
with interest Gen. Pope's articles on the cam
paign in Virginia. they have recalled to my
mind many stirring events of those memorable
days, for was participant in those campaigns
The following extracts from letter written
just after the battle of Cedar Mountain may DO
Of some interest 10 your readers:
on THE RAPInAN,
IL MILES SoUTu or CuLrFPER COURTHOUSE,
August Is. 1852,
At Sperryv!lle on the 9Th inst. our corps
1.-THE Eleventh gen. Sgel's) was reviewed in per
by Gen. Pope The review passed oil very
satisfactorily AMI all were eomplimentea-cAFh,Iy
infantry and ariiiery-ns being lu good trlm Sen'
Pope passed with great pomp along our INES lni-
lowed bS his long train of staff officers, amid the
booming of cannon. The General impressed us as
being quite good looking man, of moderate stat
ure, heavy set, aud with a determined, seli-cohii-
Gent air. which would indicate that when lie makes
move he knows what lac is doing. On Thursday,
the Sth inst, about dusk. we received marching
orders. Ii was not long after that the Eleventh
Corps was on tile way 40 Cupcper Courthouse
The march continued, with short intervals OF rest
during that night and next day. the 9Th. Abont D
p. m. we arrived al Culpepcr. At this time we
heard "a continuous roar Of artillery and mnskeiry
some distance south of town, aud could plainly see
the dense smoke arising from the field OF contest
Al this time the battle of Cedar Mouninin was he
ing fuught-th the bloodics of the war. After short
rest started direct for the field OF battle Gloomy
and muurnfu scenes passed before our eyes ana
occupied our minds we trudged slowly along
thai dismal night SiTagglers from the battlefield
were constantly passing us, some wounded shghty
la arm OF leg, some seriously, attended 10y com
radcs AmbuianC-cs frcig lcd with sufferers. whose
cries of pain and anguish hoated dl-tnally on TIE
night-air, aud the tumuit and confusion OF hard
fought battle cast its hurrid spell ON every side
Through such scenes we moved slowly but surely
TO the field OF slaughter To relieve our over
worked brothers 81 Banks's Corps. About 2o'clock
on the morning Of tile 10Th we arrived nj the 'front.'
and relieved the tired and weary remnants of the
bloody contest aud stood to arms It'll daylight A
ciIHrge WIS expected from the enemy about tins
time. their pickles kept up hot lire, and we
nerycd ourselves light "A bloody battle more san
guiue yet than the evening before; but with the
exception of some little SkiTmishinR aud cannon
aiding, the day passed In quieIHeEs. IL WIS n re-
nlarknby clear and suIry day, aud we were glad,
indeed, 10 be allowed 10 rest la the beautiful grove
where we lay la line of battle. On the next morn
ing the 18th inst the rebels sent in flag Of trnce
asking permission to bury their dead. SO this day
Was spent 10y both sides la bnrying the dead and
exchanging the wounded. II u strange sight
/ 10 Hee the blue aud the gray mingling together
burying the dead, chatting soeiably and friendly
with each other. who but a short time before
were in deadly conflict. Our regiment (the 18th
Ohio was deiHiled 10 bury the dead Of tie Union
forces, and the dreadful horrors OF war were
shown TO with more ihan ordinary colors thai
day. From the intense heat tlIe bodies were per
fcctly black and swollen TO three times their nat
urAl size. in some parts Of The field where tht
contest ragged heTcest, the ground was literally
sirewn with the dead 81 both sides. Deep trenches
were dug. aud with as much care as circumstance,
allowed the bodies laid side by side. Officer
and private all one in their last resting phce
short time before full Of life and glowing with tis
AFdor Of battle now mingled together. their batil,
81 ilfe is over, aud they sleep tic last cold seeI
Of death. To tie Union patriots. peace he 20 tlci
their devotion by laying down their lives. Coz
pity the rebel slain they have given their ali la
| mistaken cause The Surgeon who superintendent
/ the burial reported $50 Union soldiers buried lha
| day. There are 20 wounded ut CuIpeper.
-JosEPH HARRIS, Co. c, 18th Ohio. Darrtown