tery, forming in two lines, the advanpe consisting of the Seventh Ohio
on the right and the Sixty sixth Ohio on the left. In rear was the
Twenty-ninth Ohio supporting the Seventh, and the Fifth Ohio sup
porting the Sixty-sixth. We remained in this position about one hour,
when we received orders to advance. We moved forward about 200
yards and we were ordered to halt and await further orders. While
here we were exposed to a terrible cross-fire from the enemy s batteries
and lost several men killed and wounded. We remained in this posi
tion about one hour, and were ordered forward to support a line of skir
mishers thrown out by the Twelfth L T . S. Infantry, who were falling
back under a galling fire of the enemy, then advancing in force. We
were soon in range of their infantry and became hotly engaged. The
Seventh and Sixty-sixth Ohio, under the destructive fire of at least five
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 161
times their number, were being terribly cut up, but retained their
ground, closing up their decimated ranks, and still pressing toward the
enemy. Seeing their condition I ordered the Fifth and Twenty-ninth
Ohio to their support. They promptly answered the command, the
Twenty-ninth passing immediately to the support of the Seventh and
the Fifth passing to the left of the Sixty-sixth.
At this period a ball struck me on the ankle, and almost at the same
instant a ball passed through my left arm. I was compelled to leave
the field, and the command of the brigade devolved on Col. Charles
Candy.
JNO. W. GEAEY.
General AUGUR,
Comdg. Second Division, Second Corps, Army of Virginia.
No. 13.
Report of Capt. Joseph M. Knap, Battery E, Pennsylvania Light Artillery.
HEADQUARTERS KNAP S PENNSYLVANIA BATTERY,
Near Culpeper, Va., August 14, 1862.
COLONEL : On Friday, 8th instant, I was ordered by General Craw
ford, commanding brigade at Culpeper, to move at 4 p. m. in advance
of his brigade with four guns. We took a position on an eminence to
the left of the Orange road, some 400 yards beyond Cedar Eun, and
remained there all night, nothing occurring until 12 m. on Saturday,
the 9th instant.
At the time above mentioned the enemy opened upon our advance
cavalry with two batteries, one of which (1J miles to the front and left
of our position) I was ordered to reply to. A few shots from my bat
tery, together with two or three from a section of Eoemer s Second New
York, under niy command, soon silenced the enemy s guns, causing
them to change their position.
At 1.30 p. m. General Geary s brigade arrived and took position on my
left, Lieutenant Geary s section of artillery being posted on the right
of the brigade, A section of Captain Best s battery, Lieutenant Cush-
ing, was assigned to me, and took position on the left of Lieutenant
Howard s section, Second New York Battery.
At 2.30 p. ni. the enemy opened with two batteries, about a mile
distant, upon our position, and in less than twenty minutes four addi
tional batteries were unmasked, all apparently concentrating their fire
on our artillery. The enemy s line of batteries extended in a crescent
shape for about 24 miles on elevated ground, and at distances from our
batteries varying from 1,500 to 2,500 yards. A continual fire from, both
sides was kept up, the enemy occasionally changing the position of
their batteries, until 5.30 p. m., when our infantry moved forward on
the right, charging upon and silencing the two batteries on the enemy s
left, which had produced the most effect upon our artillery. We were
then ordered to devote our attention to the enemy s right flank, and
fire on their infantry whenever it was practicable.
The enemy s artillery ceased firing about dusk, when I was ordered
by Capt. C. L. Best, chief of artillery, to fall back and take another
position, my ammunition, with the exception of canister, having been
expended. I took position about 1 mile to the rear of my first, and
remained there all night. Owing to the nature of the ground I was
11 R R VOL XII, PT II
1G*2 OPERATIONS IN X. VA., W. VA., AND Mb
unable to shift my position materially during the entire engagement*
I was forced to leave two caissons on the field, empty and disabled, one
of which has been recovered.
My loss in men was 1 killed and 7 wounded, and in horses 14 killed
and disabled.
One gun was disabled late in the action by a cannon-shot, but was
brought off the field. No ammunition fell into the enemy s hands.
In conclusion, it gives me great pleasure to testify to the gallant con
duct and bearing of my men and those of Lieutenants Howard s and
Cushiug s sections, temporarily under my command, and to the bravery
and skill displayed by Lieutenants Geary, McGill, Gushing, and How
ard, and acting Lieutenant Dunlevy.
The amount of shell expended by my battery (six 10-pounder Par-
rotts) was 980.
Eespectfully, your obedient servant,
JOS. M. KNAP,
Capt., Comdg. Pa. Bat., attached to First Brig., Second Div.
Col. CHARLES CANDY,
Comdg. First Brig., Second Div., Second Army Corps.
No. 14.
Reports of Col. John H. Patrick, Fifth Ohio Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH OHIO VOLUNTEERS,
In the Field, August 11, 1862.
SIR : We left Culpeper about 9 a. m. Saturday (9th), and reached
the field of action, 8 miles distant, about 2 p. m.^ took position on the
left; stacked arms and rested; were shortly afterward ordered to sup
port a battery, which was in position in the center. After about an
hour were ordered to advance, taking about 300 men into the engage
ment. While advancing we passed the Twelfth Regulars lying in a
ravine, and only about 150 came out at the close of the fight, which
was about dark. We had 1 field officer, 13 line officers, and 95 men killed
and wounded.*
Respectfully, yours,
JNO. H. PATRICK,
Lieut. Col., Comdg. Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Colonel CANDY, Sixty-sixth Ohio Vols., Comdg. First Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH OHIO VETERAN VOLUNTEERS,
April 10, 1864.
SIR : In compliance with orders from the general commanding divis
ion I have the honor to forward the official report of the part taken by
my command in the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862 :
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEERS,
Culpeper, Va., August 13, 1862.
In obedience to orders from brigade headquarters I have the honor
to transmit a record concerning our action in battle near Culpeper, Va.,
August 9, 1862 :
* But see revised statement, p. 137.
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 163
We left Cnlpeper Saturday morning:, tlie 8th instant, and marched a
distance of about 8 miles, and arrived at the scene of action about
2 o clock. We halted in front of the enemy s right, stacked arms, and
rested about an hour. In the mean time the artillery had opened fire
on both sides, and I think that our artillery opened the fire. We were
then ordered by General Geary to support a battery which was in posi
tion on our center. On arriving there our brigade, or rather that part-
comprising General Tyler s old brigade (the other part, consisting of
the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, had left on the road), was divided,
the Sixty-sixth and Seventh Ohio formed the first line of support, the
Fifth and Twenty-ninth Ohio the second, 50 paces in the rear. We
were ordered to advance and occupy the line of tbe Sixty-sixth and
Seventh Ohio, while they advanced and gained equal distance in front.
We lay there until about 6 o clock, having been shelled briskly
from the commencement up to that time. The infantry were then
ordered to advance. We kept advancing until we crossed a corn field.
Our front was then clear, the troops in front having flanked to the
right in advancing through the corn field. There was a road or ravine
where we found a regiment of regulars (the Twelfth, I believe), all lying
down. I tried to get them to advance. Our regiment called them
cowards, and walked over them. After leaving the corn field we re
ceived the first round of grape and canister. We advanced farther
until we reached a small mound. By this time we were the only regi
ment holding the open field, the others having flanked to the right that
were on our right, and the regiment that came up on our left, after we
had advanced through the corn field, only fired one volley, and retired
immediately, the officer commanding leading them off the field.
The enemy by this time had been forced to retire, and if we had been
re-enforced we would have driven them from the field. From some
unexplained reason we were left to the kind mercy of the enemy, who
seemed to know their business, and brought another brigade into action
against us, no doubt with the intention of making a finish of the few
brave men remaining on the field. We went into action with about
275 men, and lost in killed, wounded, and missing 122.
Respectfully submitted.
JNO. H. PATRICK,
Golqnel Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Capt. THOMAS H. ELLIOTT,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps.
No. 15.
Report of Col. William E. Creighton, Seventh Ohio Infantry.
HDQKS. SEVENTH REST. OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
In Field near Culpeper Court-House, August 9, 1862.
Sm : I would respectfully submit the following report of the part
taken by the Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the battle
of Cedar Creek, Saturday, August 9, 1802 :
At about 8 o clock a. m. we moved forward, by order of Brigadier-
General Geary, commanding the brigade, a distance of 8 miles, suffer
ing greatly from the scarcity of water and the intense heat, from the
effect of which a number of men were fatally sun-struck. We took
position in rear of Knap s battery, on the west side of Cedar Creek,
164 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
forming 1 in line of battle nearly due north and south, and remained
there until 3.30 p. m., when we changed position by the right flank to
support the right-center battery. In that position we remained about
an hour, when we received orders to advance in line of battle. We
moved forward about 200 yards, and were ordered to halt and await
further orders. In the mean time we were exposed to a terrible cross
fire from rebel batteries, when we lost several men killed and wounded.
We remained there about an hour, when we advanced to support the
line of skirmishers thrown out by the Twelfth Eegular Infantry, who
were retreating under the fire of the enemy, then advancing in force in
line of battle. We were soon in range of their infantry, and became
hotly engaged. We held our position until relieved by the Twenty-
ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, when, closing my decimated ranks, I
moved off the field by the right of column to the rear, and halted on the
summit of a hill on the east side of Cedar Creek. Being wounded in
the left side and arm, I was compelled to retire and leave the command
of the regiment to the senior officer in the field.
At about 9 o clock p. m. we moved forward toward Cedar Creek,
being detailed for picket duty. When within a short distance of the
creek our advance was challenged, but giving no answer, we received
volleys from right, left, and front, compelling us to retire under the
cover of the woods, and falling back 1 mile we bivouacked for the
night.
I cannot speak too highly of the officers and men. Every one was
at his post, and nobly did each one do his duty.
Number of field, line, and staff officers in action, 14 5 number of en
listed men taken into action, 293 ; field and staff officers wounded, 2 ;
line officers killed, 3: wounded. 5; enlisted men killed, 34: wounded,
146.*
All of which is respectfully submitted.
W. E. CEEIGHTON,
Colonel, Comdg. Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
CHARLES CANDY, Comdg. 1st Brig., 2d Div., 2d Corps, Army of Va.
No. 16.
Report of Capt. Wilbur F. Stevens, Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry.
HDQRS. TWENTY-NINTH EEGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,
Camp near Culpeper Court-House, Va., August 14, 1862.
SIR : In obedience to your order of this date I have the honor to
make the following report of the Twenty-ninth Eegiment Ohio Volun
teer Infantry in the late action near Cedar Mountain, August 9 :
I went into the fight with 9 commissioned officers and 180 enlisted
men. We were formed in rear of the Seventh Ohio Eegiment for the
support of a battery stationed on a slight elevation of ground direct to
our front. The battery was moved in a short time, and we were left
for the support of another battery, stationed to our left. Afterward
we moved to the front for the support of the Seventh Ohio Eegimeut,
we coming up on their left. We then opened fire on the enemy, who
were on a slight hill beyond the corn field and in the woods to our right.
Here we received their fire from both the above-named places. They
* But see revised statement, p. 137.
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 165
finally gave way direct in front, and we moved forward and occupied
the ground on the hill beyond the corn field, we receiving the same
cross-fire (from the woods and to the front). Our support on extreme
right giving way, and we fearing our small squad would be captured,,
fell back to the right of our first position near the battery. Night com
ing on we fell back to the woods in our rear.
Daring the engagement my men behaved with the utmost coolness
and bravery. No man left the field unless he was wounded or ordered
to assist a wounded man back to the rear, and then return to his place
in the ranks. We retired in as good order as could be expected, as
our numbers were greatly diminished, they being either killed or
wounded or assisting our wounded to the rear. During the engage
ment I had my horse shot, which I was obliged to leave.
The above is respectfully submitted.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. F. STEVENS,
Captain, Comdg. Ticenty-ninth Regiment Ohio Vol. Infantry.
Colonel CANDY,
Sixty-sixth Ohio, Commanding First Brigade.
No. 17.
Report of Col. diaries Candy, Sixty -sixth Ohio Infantry.
HDQRS. SIXTY-SIXTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFTY., IT. S. A.,
Camp near Culpeper Court-House, Va., August 11, 1862.
GENERAL : In compliance to circular, dated Headquarters Second
Division, Second Corps (PArmce, Army of Virginia, I have the honor
to make the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the
late action of Saturday, August 9, near Culpeper Court-House, Va. :
The regiment left camp at Culpcper Court-House, Va., in company
with the remainder of the brigade, under command of Brigadier-Gen
eral Geary; arrived on the field, and took position on the left of the
Seventh Ohio, the line running, as near as can be ascertained, due
north and south. Remained in that position about an hour; then ordered
to move to the right and change position in rear of batteries almost
perpendicular to our original front, which was done at a double-
quick. Took position in rear of batteries; remained about an hour;
ordered to advance ; moved 200 or 300 yards and commenced firing ;
ordered to halt ; laid down in corn field and remained in that position
near an hour; ordered to advance, firing on the enemy s skirmishers,
which was done. As soon as the troops on the right and left com
menced falling back I ordered my regiment to fall back firing, no one
being present to give any orders and no support in view. After fall
ing back some 10 or 15 yards I again ordered the advance; advanced
beyond our original line some 10 or 20 yards. This was repeated sev
eral times; again fell backfiring. Upon finding out that the enemy
had our range, and with grape and shell were mowing down the brave
men under my command, I fell back to the woods on this side of the
creek, bringing with me but about 60 men left of my entire regiment.
Upon coming out I found a squad of the Fifth, Seventh, and Twenty-
ninth Ohio formed, waiting for some one to give them orders what to
do. 1 was here informed that General Geary had been wounded in the
166 OPERATIONS IN N. VA , W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
early part of the engagement; and immediately reported to Major-Gen-
eral Banks for instructions. Was ordered by him to take position on
the right of General Greene s brigade, at the edge of the timber this
side of the linn (Cedar Creek); started to take position as ordered,
throwing out an advance guard of 10 men, under command of Captain
Van Deman, Sixty-sixth Ohio. He advanced, throwing out his advance
guard as skirmishers. Upon their arrival at the edge of the timber
they were ordered to halt and deliver up their arms. At that instant
my command was tired upon by a strong party concealed in the timber.
My regiment of about GO men, being in the advance, received their tire,
which wounded 1 captain,, . > lieutenants, and quite a number of the en
listed men. Ai ter returning their fire fell back and reported the facts
to General Pope, commanding, who ordered me to place my men where
they could rest for the night.
From the reports received by the acting adjutant of the regiment
we went into the action about 250 strong. My officers and men stood
throughout the engagement under a galling fire of musketry, shell, and
grape, obeying every order promptly and punctually. I have the honor
to inclose herewith list of killed, wounded, and missing.*
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
CHAS. CANDY,
Colonel Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio Vols., Comdg. Regiment.
Brig. Gen. GEORGE S. GREENE,
Comdg. Second Z>ii\, Second Corps cPAr-mee, Army of Virginia.
No. 18.
Report of Lieut. Col. Hector Tyndale, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania In
fantry, of reconnaissance to Thoroughfare Mountain.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-EIGHTH REGT. PA. VOLS.,
Near Culpcper, Va. y August 11, 1802.
COLONEL : On the 9th instant, being ordered by General Geary, I
took this regiment on to Thoroughfare Mountain, 10 miles distant from
this road, to retake possession and re-establish the signal station, driven
thence by the enemy s cavalry in the morning of that day. 1 found no
signs of the rebels on the route, except sonic half a. dozen scouts, who
evaded the detail of 15 cavalry, under Lieutenant Lydy, of Captain
Kerr s company. First West Virginia Regiment, who accompanied me,
which scouts ran across the country to the southward. En route 1
learned that the enemy was in large force at a point say 3 miles south
east from Thoroughfare Mountain and about 2 miles from my road. 1
found Colonel Cluseret, with brigade, at James City. On yesterday
morning my command returned, by order of Major-General Banks, and
I reported to you in person in the afternoon.
The casualties of the road were as follows : One of the cavalry
slightly shot in the hand by a concealed guerrilla, and 2 men of same
corps missing, supposed to be captured while carrying a message for
me. Of the men of this regiment left behind on guard of brigade am
munition train 1 was killed and 1 slightly wounded. Another, reported
* Nominal list here omitted shows 11 killed, 79 vrouiided, and 1 missing. But see
revised statement, p. 137.
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 167
killed, who, being unwell, fell behind the regiment, returned to this
road and entered the fight in another regiment.
The total number of this regiment present yesterday after the march
was 1,034, or one less than the number beginning the march, as already
stated.
Bespect fully, your obedient servant,
HECTOK TYNDALE,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Twenty-eighth Regt. Pa. Vols.
Colonel CANDY,
Comdg. First Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps.
No. 19.
Report of Brig. Gen. Henry Prince, U. 8. Army, commanding Second
Brigade.
WASHINGTON, November 10, 1862.
SIR : A prisoner of Avar, detained until recently, I have not had an
opportunity before to report the part taken by my brigade in the battle ot
Cedar Mountain, Culpeper, Ya., August 9, 1802. I respectfully request
permission to do so now.
My command was the Second Brigade of the Second Division, Second
Army Corps, Army of Virginia, consisting of the following five battal
ions, of equal strength, viz : A battalion of the Eighth and Twelfth U.
S. Infantry, the One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania, Third Mary
land, One hundred and ninth Pennsylvania, and One hundred and
second JSew York Eegiments of Volunteers; also the Fourth Maine
Battery of Artillery and a company of cavalry.
We marched from Culpeper Court-House before noon of the date re
ferred to in the division column, following the First Brigade and taking
the main road southward. The booming of artillery in front indi
cated that the march proposed was not a long one, an impression which
was the more pleasing to the troops, as it was the warmest day of the
season. Six miles from Culpeper a strip of woodland, stretching across
the road and reaching to some distance from it on either side, furnished
a shade, in which the troops rested and obtained water. During the
halt for these purposes they were informed that the brigade was about
to leave the road for the purpose of meeting the enemy, and every one-
was expected to keep his place. After passing through the wood and
tiling to the left we followed down a small run three-fourths of a mile,
crossed it, and halted in its hollow to wait for orders.
At this time the cannonade became continuous, and both sides were
placing more batteries. In a few minutes I received from division
headquarters the following orders nearly simultaneously : To detach the
battalion of the Eighth and Twelfth Infantry, with instructions to re
port to division headquarters to relieve with the Fourth Maine Battery
the battery on the hill near by ; to form the remainder of the brigade
with two lines, and place it on the left of Geary s brigade, already in
line. These orders being prompt! y complied with the lines were then
rectified, so as to take advantage of the slight inequality of the smooth
ground, on which for several hours they faced the cannonade which
ensued with but few casualties, three persons in each line being wounded
slightly, among whom was Colonel Stainrook; also two horses were
168 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
killed. The firing was close. The escape of the Hues from great loss
was often a very narrow one.
At the time of the partial suspension of the cannonade, seeing Geary s
brigade advancing, I began a cautions advance of my first line (One
hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania and Third Maryland), and soon
after receiving the order from division headquarters to u Move forward,"
we straightened up and marched in line at the ordinary pace directly
for the enemy. In advancing we passed over a small ridge, a ditch,
fences, a road lying parallel to our position, and then a field of very
high coi;n, beyond which the ground was open and ascending. While
descending the slope of the ridge the line received the fire of the enemy
without any disconcertion. Discovering the road, the battalion com
manders were notified that it would be the rallying pluce if any break
should occur. Continuing to advance amidst the whistle of a storm of
bullets, the alignment was of course interrupted in crossing the fences.
These were more in the way of the left than the right, in consequence
of which the Third Maryland was not quite dressed up to the One hun
dred and eleventh Pennsylvania, but sufficiently so for open ground.
In the corn field, though, but few men could see each other, and this
was the cause of the One hundred and eleventh lapping over the Third
Maryland. On the whole, the advance was as good as it would have
been over the same ground on drill.
The line, having reached the outer edge of the corn field, was halted
to co-operate in the plan of battle which had been communicated to
me. The fire of the enemy at the time of halting converged from full
thirty degrees to our left, where it was nearest to us along the front.
While crossing the corn field the order was communicated to me from
division headquarters to move forward my whole force. I now brought
up the second line (One hundred and ninth Pennsylvania and One hun
dred and second New York), and placed it in echelon of about 100 paces
to the left and rear of the first. In accomplishing this I saved much
time by passing through the battery, masking it for a moment only, as
the ground descended rapidly from the guns. The obstacles in the
w r ay deranged the alignment as before, but with due attention it was
perfectly restored.
Before the fire of this line was delivered great care was taken to
explain the angle in which it must confine its aim, so as to avoid the
Third Maryland. It then fired a single volley at the word. In reload
ing some files lost the direction, and came to an aim toward the for