FROM GEN. POPE’S ARMY: Retreat of Jackson’s Army Across the Rapidan; Our Cavalry and Artillery in Pursuit (8/13/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 8/13/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Aug. 12

The War Department has information from the Army of Virginia in front of Slaughter's Mountain up to yesterday evening. Gen. KING, with his whole division, was then within a few miles of the battlefield of Saturday, and has doubtless joined Gen. POPE ere this. No fighting has occurred in that quarter since Saturday night last.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF VIRGINIA,

CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. -- 7:30 A.M., Aug. 12.

To Maj.-Gen. Halleck:

The enemy has retreated under cover of the night. His rear guard is now crossing the Rapidan towards Orange Court House. Our cavalry and artillery are in pursuit.

(Signed,) JOHN POPE, Major-General.

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE BATTLE

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Accounts from Culpepper, dated yesterday, speaking of Saturday's fight, say that so heavy was the fire to which our comparatively small number of men was exposed, the only wonder is that the entire command was not completely annihilated at the end of half an hour, instead of our bringing off so large a proportion of our force at the expiration of an hour and a half.

The prisoners report that their own troops were mowed down by our fire like grass. Three times were they reinforced by fresh regiments and brigades, and when our troops retired they were too crippled to pursue in the open ground.

The prisoners also report that the heavy guns used by the enemy were of recent English manufacture, with English fixed ammunition.

We lost but one gun, which was left behind in a ditch, spiked, several of the horses having been killed.

The gun was not lost while changing our position for the night, but under the fire of the enemy's sharp-shooters.

Col. CHAPMAN, of the Fifth Massachusetts, was shot in the breast, and is probably dead.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Gen. Pope’s Army: Retreat of Jackson’s Army Across the Rapidan – 2
The Army of the Potomac: An Explanation of the Affair at Malvern Hill – 2-3
Affairs at Fortress Monroe: Important Secret Movements in the Army – 3
Fighting Near Cumberland Gap – 3
News from Washington: The Extent and Significance of the Military Movements in Progress – 3-4
The Guerrillas in Missouri: Capture of Independence by the Rebels, after an Hour’s Fight – 4
Important from Memphis: Rumored Recapture of Baton Rouge by Breckinridge – 4
Skedaddling from the Draft and How to Check It – 5
Why Capt. Davis Did Not Take Vicksburgh – 5
Object of Jackson’s Movement – 5
General City News – 5