Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[274] Robertson, and on the ninth, Jackson's command arrived within eight miles of Culpeper Court-House, when the enemy was found near Cedar Run, a short distance north-west of Slaughter's Mountain. Early's brigade, of Ewell's division, was thrown forward on the road to Culpeper Court-House. The remaining two brigades, those of Trimble and Hays, the latter under Colonel Forno, diverging to the right, took position on the western slope of Slaughter's Mountain. Jackson's own division, under Brigadier-General Wilder, was placed on the left of the road — Campbell's brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Garnett commanding, being on the left; Taliaferro's parallel to the road, supporting the batteries; and Winder's own brigade, under Colonel Roland, in reserve. Lawton's brigade, having been detached by General Jackson to guard the train, was prevented from taking part in the engagement. The battle opened with a fierce fire of artillery, which continued for about two hours, during which Brigadier-General Charles S. Winder, while directing the movements of his batteries, received a wound, from the effects of which he expired in a few hours. I can add nothing to the well-deserved tribute paid to the courage, capacity, and conspicuous merit of this lamented officer by General Jackson, in whose brilliant campaign in the Valley and on the Chickahominy he bore a distinguished part.

The enemy's infantry advanced about five o'clock P. M., and attacked General Early in front, while another body, concealed by the inequality of the ground, moved upon his right. Thomas's brigade, of A. P. Hill's division, which had now arrived, was sent to his support, and the contest soon became animated.

In the mean time, the main body of the Federal infantry, under cover of a wood and the undulations of the field, gained the left of Jackson's division, now commanded by Brigadier-General Taliaferro, and poured a destructive fire into its flank and rear. Campbell's brigade fell back in confusion, exposing the flank of Taliaferro's, which also gave way, as did the left of Early's. The rest of his brigade, however, firmly held its ground.

Winder's brigade, with Branch's, of A. P. Hill's division, on its right, advanced promptly to the support of Jackson's division, and after a sanguinary struggle the enemy was repulsed with loss. Pender's and Archer's brigades, also of Hill's division, came up on the left of Winder's, and, by a general charge, the enemy was driven back in confusion, leaving the ground covered with his dead and wounded. General Ewell, with the two brigades on the extreme right, had been prevented from advancing by the fire of our own artillery, which swept his approach to the enemy's left. This obstacle being now removed, he pressed forward, under a hot fire, and came gallantly into action. Repulsed and vigorously followed on our left and centre, and now hotly pressed on our right, the enemy gave way, and his whole line was soon in full retreat. Night had now set in, but General Jackson, desiring to enter Culpeper Court-House before morning, determined to pursue. Hill's division led the advance, but, owing to the darkness, it was compelled to move slowly and with caution.

The enemy was found about a mile and a half in rear of the field of battle, and information was received that reenforcements had arrived. General Jackson therefore halted for the night, and the next day, becoming satisfied that the enemy's strength had been so largely increased as to render a further advance on his part imprudent, he sent his wounded to the rear, and proceeded to bury the dead and collect the arms from the battle-field.

On the eleventh, the enemy asked and received permission to bury those of his dead not already interred. General Jackson remained in position during the day, and at night returned to the vicinity of Gordonsville. In this engagement, four hundred prisoners, including a brigadier-general, were captured, and five thousand three hundred stand of small-arms, one piece of artillery, several caissons, and three colors fell into our hands.

Our casualties will appear from the report of the medical director.

For a more detailed account of the action, reference must be made to the clear account of General Jackson, herewith transmitted, and the accompanying report of his officers. The conduct of his troops is commended in terms of well deserved praise, by their distinguished leader, and the success achieved was worthy of the skilful management and bold and vigorous execution of the entire enterprise.

Campaign in Northern Virginia, from the battle of Cedar Run to the battle of Ox Hill, inclusive.

The victory at Cedar Run effectually checked the progress of the enemy for the time; but it soon became apparent that his army was being largely increased. The corps of Major-General Burnside, from North-Carolina, which had reached Fredericksburgh, was reported to have moved up the Rappahannock a few days after the battle to unite with General Pope, and a part of General McClellan's army was believed to have left Westover for the same purpose. It therefore seemed that active operations on the James were no longer contemplated, and that the most effectual way to relieve Richmond from any danger of attack from that quarter, would be to reenforce General Jackson, and advance upon General Pope. Accordingly, on the thirteenth August, Major-General Longstreet, with his division, and two brigades under General Hood, were ordered to proceed to Gordonsville. At the same time, General Stuart was directed to move with the main body of his cavalry to that point, leaving a sufficient force to observe the enemy still remaining in Fredericksburgh, and to guard the railroad. General R. H. Anderson was also directed to leave his position on James River, and follow Longstreet. On the sixteenth, the troops began to remove from the vicinity of Gordonsville