Pope's main army was near Culpeper Courthouse, and “
Stonewall”
Jackson was at
Gordonsville, with a heavy force, at the close of July, 1862.
Pope had taken command on June 28, and assumed the control in the field on July 29.
Both armies advanced early in August.
Jackson, reinforced, had thrown his army across the
Rapidan River on the morning of the 8th, and driven the
National cavalry back on Culpeper Court-house.
Gen. S. W. Crawford was sent with his brigade to assist the latter in retarding
Jackson's march, and to ascertain his real intentions, if possible.
The movements of the
Confederates were so mysterious that it was difficult to guess where they intended to strike.
On the morning of Aug. 9,
Pope sent
General Banks forward with about 8,000 men to join
Crawford near
Cedar Mountain, 8 miles southward of Culpeper Court-house, and
Sigel was ordered to advance from
Sperryville at the same time to the support of
Banks.
Jackson had now gained the commanding heights of
Cedar Mountain, and he sent forward
General Ewell under the thick mask of the forest.
Early's brigade of that division was thrown upon the
Culpeper road.
The Confederates planted batteries, and opened fire upon
Crawford's batteries.
Before
Crawford and
Banks were about 20,000 veteran soldiers in line of battle.
Against these
Banks moved towards evening, and almost simultaneously fell upon
Jackson's right and left.
The attacking force was composed of the division of
General Auger (the advance led by
General Geary) and the division of
General Williams, of which
Crawford's brigade was a part.
The battle now became general, and raged for an hour and a half, during which deeds of great valor were performed on both sides.
The
Nationals, outnumbered, were pushed back after much loss by both parties.
At dusk
Ricketts's division of
McDowell's corps came upon the field, and checked the pursuit.
Artillery firing was kept up until near midnight. Later in the evening
Sigel's corps arrived, and these reinforcements kept
Jackson in check.
On the night of the 11th, informed of the approach of National troops from the
Rappahannock, and alarmed for the safety of his communications with
Richmond, he fled beyond the
Rapidan, leaving a part of his dead unburied.
