The National tribune., 1904-03-10


and Bayard he observed the line of the
Rapidan.
The 7th and 9Th of August, jackson
crossed the Rapidan, and moved towards
Culpeper. Pope met this by throwing for
ward Banks's Corps to q position eight
miles south of Cnlpeper, near Cedar
Mountain, where a severe action ensued on
the 9th between Banks's Corps and the
three divisions under Jackson. Banks.
although doubly outnumbered, and. at
tucked Jackson's right, under Gen. Ewell.
He then fell with much impetuosity upon
his left. turned that flank, and poured q
destructive fire into his rear, which caused
the Confederate center and nearly the
whole line to give way in confusion. The
ASSISTANTS We're, however considerably
broken in moving through the woods; and
Jackson, receiving an accession OF fresh
troops, was able to check Banks, ana
finally force him back. The latter retirel
q short distance, but again took, up po-
ssiti0n: so that when Jackson, .under the
impression of having gained victory, at
tempted to follow up with the view of TAX
ing Culpeper, he found himself checked
He remained in front Of Banks until the
night Of the 11th, aId then being apple
hensiye Of being again attacked, he
retreated to Gordonsville. The Confeder-
ate loss was about 1900; the Union loss
about 1,S0OQO
MCCLELLAN SENT TO AQUA CREEK.
The encounter between Jackson and
Banks raised in the mind of Gen. Hal!eck
the lyeliest apprehensions touching the
safety Of Washington, and he sent Geu.
Mcclellan urgent orders to hasten the re-
moval Of his army. The sick, to the num-
Der Of 10000, had already been shipped;
then followed Burnside's Corps u1,OOO
nn<l vxyt.s srh hul
North Carolina for the purpose of re-en-
forcing the Army of the Potomac, but was
not allowed to debark, and was sent for
ward to Aqua Creek and thence to Fred
ericksburg. Mcclellan then put his whole
army in motion, marched back from Har-
rison's Landing to Fortress Monroe, and
and thence, by successive shipments, for
warded it to Aqua Creek and Alexandria.
NOT till this movement had been fully
disclosed did Gen. Lee form the resolve OF
striking northward. The column detached
under jackson to operate against Pope was
no longer than that he had had in his pre-
vious campaign, and was inferior in num-
bers to Popes froce; and the menacing no.
sition held by Gen. Mcclellan while at
Harrison's Landing had retarded Lee from
sending any additional troops to Jack
8. Gen. Lees own evidence leaves no
doubt regarding the object of this opera
ton: I'm order to keep Mcclellan station
ary, or. IT possible. to cause him to Withdrar,
Gen. ID. III. Hill, commanding south Of
James River, was directed to threaten his
communications by seixing favorable po-
| sitions below Westover, from which to at
tack the transports in the river" Lees
Report: Reports OF the Operation OF
Northern Virginia, vol. /, p. Is.
| 3. Jackson's Report: Reports of the
Army OF Northern Virginia, VOL ii, D. 8.
1O. 1t is proper to add here the above
brief statement OF Banks's attack OF Jack.
son is based on the Official report OF Jack
son himself, and is therefore not likely to
be over-colored. whilst the Federal at.
tack upon Early was in progress" says
Jackson, "the main body OF the Federal
infantry moved down from the woods.
through the corn and wheat fields, and fell
with great vigor upon our extreme left:
and by the force Of superior numbers.
bearing down all opposition, turned 1t and
poured a destructive fire into its rear.
Campben's Brigade fell back in disorder.
The enemy pushing forward, and the left
flank Of A. G. Taliaferro's Brigade being
4 by these movements exposed TO. q flank
i fire, fell back, a. did also the left OF
/ Early's line. Gen. w. b. Tnliaferro's Di-
vision Uackson's old division) becoming
j exposed, they were withdrawn."-Jack-
sons Report OF Cedar Mountain: Reports
OF the Army OF Northern Virginia, vol. II,
i p. 3. These are the words in which Gen
i eral ID apt TO describe . serious defeat, and
i they justify q higher estimate Of Gen.
I Banks's conduct than Ats countyymen have
yat acc0rdnd hiNn