The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-09-05

dar Mountain, from the pen or MAJ "
A. GrimSley, 9th Va. Cav, now Judge OF
the Sixth Virginia Circuit, which was pup
liShed in Cupeper Exponent OF May IL,
1900. 1t is the fairest account of the
battle | have ever read from Confed-
crate source The Judge gives Jackson S
force at 22000, but omits to give the
Union force which fought him, viz,
Banks's two divisions, commanded by
Williams and Augur, numbering 5000
men.
Rickctts's Division did not reach the
field in time to take part in the battle,
but suffered loss of two killed and ~
wounded in the artillery fight after dark.
jackson lost 1.276 killed and wounded
and Banks LIZA killed and wounded and
$50 missing. This. with the 81 killed and
wounded in RickettsS Division. and ~
missing, brings the Union loss to 2,3S1
in the battle. Judge Grimsleys son was
Captain of the "CulpePer Minute Men
in the Spanish war.-W. u. DOYLE.
On June 26. 1862, the Federal Govern
ment organized what was called the Army
of Virginia consisting of three corps. of
which the First was commanded by Gen.
Sigel. the Second by Gen. Banks. and
the Third by Gen. Mcdowell. Gen. John
Pope. who had earned some reputation as
a fighter was given command of this
army and made himself quite ridiculous
in the eyes of military men, on both sides,
by issuing his bombastic order upon as
Stunning command. of Headquarters in
the saddle"
Mcclellan. having been defeated in
front of Richmond by Lee, had sought
shelter on the banks of the James River,
under the protection of his gunboats, and
had been so battered, bruised and broken
in his seven days contest that he con-
Guided he would be unable to resume the
offensive, without $4,000 additional
troops, which his Government, at that
time. was unable to supply, without e2-
posing the Capital TO attack.
DISPOSITION OF TROOPS.
1t was thought best in the Federal mill
tary councils. in this condition of affairs,
to move upon GoTdonSvIile with the Army
of Virginia, and thus threaten Lees left
and rear AT Richmond. This army, with
this object in view, took position TO threat
en- Gordonsville and Charlottesville.
Banks-s Corrs was in Rappahannock,
Sigel's about Waterloo and Jeffersonton,
and a division of McDowells was in Cul-
pepper, with the remainder at Fredercks-
der Buford, was at Madison Court House,
while another, under Bayard, was near
Crooked Run Church.
During the months of July and August
the cavalry of Pope's army was very ac-
tive and enterprising. 1t several times
crossed the Rapidan on reconnoissances,
and made its way to and beyond Orange
Court House toward GordonsTiile.
Ashby's Brigade of Confederate Cav
airy, now under the command of b. III.
Robertson. which had been left in the
valley to conceal Jackson movements
toward Richmond, was withdrawn and
placed in position between Gordonsville
and Orange to watch the Rapldan,
whilst Ewell's, Hills and Winders Tor
Jacksons old division), all under the com
mand of Jackson, were quietly withdrawn
from Lees army below Richmond, and
placed in camp in rear of Gordonsvilie.
Jackson conceived the idea of defeating
Pope by q rapid movement TO Culpeper
and thrusting himself between the wings
of his army, defeat them in succession.
Jackson had 22.000 men, of which loo
were cavalry. Pope had 10000. of which
$500 were cavalry; but his army was
scattered over n large area.
On the evening of Aug. Jackson be
gan his movement toward Culpeper.
Ewell's Division moved from its camp
near Gordonsyille toward Liberty Mills,
whilst Winder's and Hills Divisions
moved toward and encamped for the night
near Orange Court House
JAcKsoN's AGGRESSIVE TACTICS.
Jackson expected to reach Culpeper
early the next day, being only is miles
distant. On the morning of the 9Th the
cavalry crossed the river at Barnett's
Ford, and drove back the enemy's cavalry
toward Madison Court House and Locust
Dale. Ewell came down from Liberty
Mills on the north bank of the river and
came into the Culpeper road south of Lo-
Gust Dale.
The Federal cavalry We're very active,
and were handled with great ability. The
march of the Confederate columns was
greatly impeded by the threatened incur
sions of this cavalry on the Confederate
trains from the direction of Madison
Court House. Jackson was too feeble in
this arm of the service for an advancing
army, and his small force had to be di-
vided, to protect his train and to press
back the enemy'S cavalry in front. 1t
was hardly sufficient for both purposes
and made but slow progress. This, to-
gether with the intense heat and dust of
the day, the confusion in which the col
umns of Winder's and Hills Divisions had
fallen in respect to the order of their
march, and the iHterminglimg of their
progress on the Sth remarkably SLOW.
Ewelfs Division Reached Locust Dale.
and whilst the Confederate cavalry gained
possession of the fOrdS n RphrrtSon's
River and Crooked I.rH. eHcamped for
the night north of the iat,gr stream. Win
der's Division had crossed the river at
Barnett's Ford, but Hill was still IN the
south side Of the river. Jackson commu-
nicated with Gen. Lee from Locust Dale
on the evening of the Sub ard stated that
he feared the enterprise would be q fail
ure, by reason of the days delay.
UNION TROOPS CONCENTRATED AT Gull
PEPPER.
Gen. Pope, it seems, was aware Of the
movement Of Gen. Jackson early on the
It'll, and Immediately ordered his forces
gan his movement from the Rappahan-
camped that night at Hazel River, OH
the Sperryvilie turnpike. Hickctts's Divi-
sion of McDowelfs Corps, that had been
encamped north of Culpeper, was moved
forward on the Sth and took position near
Colvin's old tavern, on the Madison road
TO resist the movement of the Confed-
crates, reported by BufOrd TO be moving
by way of Madison Court House.
During the 9Th Bankss Corps passed
through Culpeper and was thrown for
ward on the Orange road in the neigh
borhood of Cedar Run. Crawfords Bri-
gade of Williamss Division. consisting
of the 18th \. Y. Goth Pa. 10th Me and
9Th Conn, with two batteries of artillery,
WAS sent forward on the Sth TO support
Bayard'S cavalry. and took EaSitiou he-