third by Lieut. Col. Edwin G. Lee, and the Twenty -seventh by Capt.
Charles L. Haynes. Captains Carpenter s and Poague s batteries are
attached.
The brigade bivouacked on the night of the 8th in Madison County
on the road leading to Culpeper Court-House and about 1 mile from
Madison Mills, on the Eapidan Eiver.
* Embodied in No. 27.
192 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
On the morning of the 9th the brigade took up the line of march in
the direction of Oulpeper Court- House. The march was frequently
interrupted from causes unknown to me at the time, and at 3.15 p. in.
the brigade was halted in the woods a short distance to the left of the
road. At -this time cannonading was going on in front. Here several
Parrott guns from Captains Poague s and Carpenter s batteries were
ordered to the front ; these were posted in the road so as to enfilade the
enemy s batteries then engaging our batteries on the right. General
Winder was in front, directing with great ability and judgment the
movements of the batteries. These batteries in a short time succeeded
in driving the enemy s guns from their chosen position, after which
Captains Poague and Carpenter were directed to take position in a
corn field on the right of the road, when they opened a rapid fire upon
the enemy s guns and soon silenced several of them. Shortly after this
General Winder was mortally wounded and borne from the field, the
brigade still resting where it was halted at 3.15 o clock.
A little after 1 p. m. I was ordered to put the brigade in line of
battle perpendicular to the road and move forward, he line having been
arranged in the following order, viz : Twenty-seventh on the right, the
Thirty-third on the left of the Twenty-seventh, Fifth left of the Thirty-
third, Second left of the Fifth, and the Fourth left of the Second. I
moved forward through the woods, but in a few minutes I was ordered
to put the brigade in column of regiments, which order was executed
promptly ; but before advancing the column I was ordered to deploy
the column and advance in line of battle, letting the right rest about
100 yards from the road. The line of battle being thus re-established,
I moved forward through the woods under a heavy fire of spherical
case and canister shot from the enemy s guns. Arriving at a fence that
partly inclosed an open field I halted the brigade and sent Capt. John
H. Fulton, acting aide, to inform General Taliaferro of my position and
to receive his order. Captain Fulton returned, stating that the general
directed me to move on. I put the brigade in motion and rode some
200 yards in advance in order to gain the top of the hill, from which I
supposed I could have a good view. Arriving at the top of the hill
I observed the enemy about 300 yards distant advancing in line of
battle, when I immediately rode back to the brigade, which had ad
vanced to within 400 yards of the enemy and in view of each other.
This brigade then opened fire upon the enemy, and having discharged
several volleys, which seemed to confuse him, I immediately ordered
the brigade to charge, which order was promptly executed and with
fine effect, the enemy falling back in great confusion, leaving many of
his dead and wounded upon the field. Arriving at the woods in his
retreat the enemy attempted to reform his line, which I determined to
prevent by following him up ; but at this moment I was informed that
the enemy had turned the left of the Second Brigade (which I supposed,
until that moment, rested on the right of the First Brigade), whereupon
I immediately directed a change of front, which was done as promptly
as it could be under the circumstances, which enabled me to engage
this flank movement of the enemy j but General Branch s brigade com
ing up at this moment (his line being perpendicular to the road while
the line of the First Brigade was parallel), General Branch opened a
vigorous fire upon the enemy, which soon succeeded in driving him
from his position. He was here compelled to pass through a large
grain field in his retreat, which exposed his broken columns to a deadly
cross-fire from Branch s and this brigade.
About sundown General Pender s (I think it was) brigade appeared
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 193
011 the extreme left of the open field I first entered. He continued his
march by the flank until his right reached the northeast corner of the
field, when I sent Captain Fulton to inform him that the enemy were
in the woods to his right. He then continued his march for some dis
tance, and then put his brigade in line of battle, his right resting on
the left of the First Brigade, and then the whole line advanced in the
direction of the main road. Very shortly after this connection was
formed a short but very vigorous contest ensued, which succeeded in
completely routing the enemy. It is proper here to state that the enemy
engaged in the woods at this point is the same column whose reforma
tion of line I attempted to prevent when informed that the left flank of
the Second Brigade had been turned. Here the enemy s loss was very
heavy. This brigade pursued the now retreating foe until after dark,
when I was ordered to halt and rest for the night.
The conduct of the troops in this brigade was, indeed, splendid.
Men never behaved better in battle. Regimental commanders were
conspicuous for their gallantry, and company officers deserve great
praise, not only for their gallantry, but for their successful efforts in
keeping their companies together; indeed, when the brigade was halted
for the night nearly all were present.
The brigade captured three stand of colors, one of which was im
properly taken from a private of the th Eegiment by a commissioned
officer of some other command. Two stand of colors were taken by
the Fifth Eeginieut.
For individual acts of gallantry I refer you to the reports of regi
mental and battery commanders herewith presented.
Upon assuming command, Capt. John H. Fulton, of the Fourth Eeg
iment, and Major Holliday, of the Thirty- third Eegiment, kindly con
sented to act as aides in connection with Lieutenant Garnett, of General
Winder s staff, and to these gentlemen I am much indebted for their
valuable services. Captain Fulton was conspicuous in the fight, trans
mitting every order with great promptness and dispatch. Major Hol
liday, a gallant and brave man, while in the execution of an order, was
severely wounded in the right arm, rendering amputation necessary.
He was wounded early in the engagement. Lieutenant Garnett was
active in the field, and his gallantry was conspicuous. With the aid
these gentlemen rendered me upon the field my new position as brigade
commander was relieved of much embarrassment.
Captains Carpenter and Poague are deserving of especial notice
for the great service they rendered with their batteries. Captain Car
penter was wounded by a Minie ball in the head, though I think not
severely.
The casualties in the brigade were 10 killed and 51 wounded. This
includes General Winder, and in his death the brigade was deprived of
his great services, the army of an able and accomplished officer, the
country of a good citizen, and society of an ornament. I attribute so
few casualties to the fact that the brigade charged at the proper time.
For a list of casualties see reports of regimental and battery com
manders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHS. A. EOXALD,
Colonel, Commanding First Brigade.
W. T. TALIAFERRO,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
II
194 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. I - uxr. XXIV.
No. 32.
Report of Lieut. Col. Laivson Botts, Second Virginia Infantry.
[CAMP GABNETT], August 13, 1SG2.
CAPTAIN : In obedience to order I have the honor to report that on
Saturday, the 9th, about the hour of 5 p. in., the First Brigade, of
which this (the Second Regiment of Virginia Infantry) is a part, was
inarched through a woods near Cedar Bun, in Culpeper [County], in
column of regiments, within range of the enemy s artillery, a shell
occasionally falling near the brigade. Shortly after the column was
deployed in line of battle just at the skirt of the wood, facing a large
field and another piece of wood, the division fence being near the center
of the Second Regiment.
By order of Colonel Ronald, commanding, the brigade was moved to
the front. Almost immediately afterward a regiment of the enemy
appeared on the other side of the field. This regiment, though sup
ported by others in the wood, fled after a short resistance, and the
Second Regiment, with the Fourth and Fifth, drove the enemy through
the wood they occupied. Finding no enemy in the front, and that the
right wing of the brigade was pressed, the Second Regiment was or
dered to its support, Captain Moore, of Company I, being left with a.
strong company to scout the woods and prevent surprise. Joining the
right wing, the enemy was driven again from position and followed till
night rendered pursuit dangerous.
I cannot too highly commend the conduct of the officers and men of
my command : and though exposed for some hours to the enemy s lire,
providentially no one was killed and but 7 wounded.
Respectfullv,
LAWSON BOTTS,
Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding.
[Capt. JOHN H. FULTON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.]
No. 33.
Report of Lieut. Col. R. D. Gardner, Fourth Virginia Infantry.
CAMP GARNETT,
Near Oordonsville, Va., August 14, 1862.
SIR : I submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment
in the battle of Cedar Creek on the 9th instant :
The regiment, being under niy command by reason of Colonel Ronald
having been assigned command of the brigade, was formed in line of
battle on the extreme left of the brigade, under a heavy fire of the
enemy s artillery, in the woods to the left of the old stage road leading
from Orange to Culpeper Court-House, at about 300 yards distance from
an open field, where the enemy were first discovered. This regiment
advanced with the balance of the brigade on the line of the fence of
the field and halted, rectified the line and rested a few minutes, when
the enemy made their appearance on the opposite side of the field,
directly in front of all the other regiments except this, which rested on
the left and in the woods. The order being given, "Forward," moved
in line of battle With the rest of the brigade to a point beyond the field,
where the enemy had been driven from. 1 was then ordered to fall
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 195
back and take position in the field, which was done promptly and in
good order, changing front at right angles with the former front ; then
marched upon the flank of the enemy, driving them from their posi
tion. In doing so this regiment had to pass through a thick under
growth and over a fence and became somewhat scattered. I was then
ordered to fall back and reform the regiment, which was executed.
The brigade remained in that position until a part of Major-Geueral
HilPs forces took position on the left of this regiment. The whole
line advanced, driving the enemy before them in great confusion be
yond a point where their artillery had been in position, when the line
was halted and skirmishers thrown out some 200 or 300 yards in
advance. Eemained there a short time and fell back some 200 yards,
where we bivouacked during the night.
While the skirmishers were out they brought in a number of pris
oners, and captured some horses, mules, &c.
I take pleasure in commending the good order and conduct of the
officers and men of this regiment, which was all that I could wish.
I am under obligations to Captain Gibson, of Company D, for his
services, acting as major on the day of the engagement and rendering
me good service.
Lieut. J. Kent Ewing, acting adjutant of this regiment, rendered
efficient aid by his brave conduct and promptness in carrying out my
orders.
The following is the list of casualties :
i
Wounded.
Missing.
Officers
1
Turn commissioned officers
I
Privates :
3
5
Total
3
8
,
Eespectfully submitted.
E. D. GAED^EE,
Lieut. Col. 7 Gomdg. Fourth Regiment Virginia Volunteers.
Capt. JOHN H. FULTON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
No. 34.
Report of Maj. H. J. Williams, Fifth Virginia Infantry.
AUGUST 14, 1862.
I have the honor to report that at dawn on the morning of the 9th
instant we left camp near the Eapidan Elver and marched a distance of 7
miles. Engaged the enemy about 4 o clock in the afternoon. The line of
battle being formed in a woods, with the Thirty-third Eegiment rest
ing on our right and the Second on our left, the Fifth being the center
regiment of the brigade, we then advanced in line of battle through
the woods a distance of about 400 yards to the edge of a field, where
we were ordered to halt and throw down a line of fencing immediately
in our front. After removing the fence we were ordered to prepare to
196 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
charge, which was done, and we moved forward in line of battle to the
top of a little hill or rise in the field, when the order was given by our
gallant commander (Colonel Ronald) to the brigade to charge, which
was obeyed and the charge executed in most elegant style, driving
the enemy entirely from the field into the woods, a distance of some
300 or 400 yards.
I then received an order to close my regiment at right angles with
and on the left of the Thirty-third. Thus having passed the Thirty-
third and Twenty-seventh some 200 yards, I succeeded in forming my
right wing perpendicular with the former line of battle and advanced
it about 100 yards, thus giving me a good position to fire upon the en
emy, who were crossing a large wheat field upon the right of our former
position, pouring a constant and destructive fire upon the enemy, thus
causing a large number of them to surrender. The regiment also cap
tured three stand of the enemy s colors ; the left wing still holding
their former position at the edge of the woods, thus protecting the left
of my right wing from a severe fire from the enemy in the woods.
The conduct of all officers and men was such as would attract the
admiration and win the praise of the greatest of champion warriors,
and particularly the conduct of Color Sergt. John M. Gabbert, who was
in advance with a sword in one hand and the colors in the other, waving
both the sword and colors, calling upon the men to come on, when he
received a wound in the shoulder and leg, which disabled him so much
he was compelled to abandon the field.
At a late hour we were re-enforced by two other brigades. We then
advanced, the left wing being rallied by Adjt. C. S. Aruall, whose con
duct was highly commendable in rallying it to the colors and pressing
forward with the Second and Fourth Eegiinents boldly in hot pursuit
of the enemy till after dark, when, reaching the top of a hill in a corn
field, were ordered to halt and remained until morning. I joined in with
Colonel Lee, of the Thirty-third, and advanced, overtaking the Second
and Fourth, who had halted in a corn field on the right of the main
road leading to Culpeper Court-House, where the brigade remained
overnight and until about 9 o clock on the morning of the 10th, the
enemy not having made any demonstration up to that time. We were
ordered back a distance of about 3 miles and encamped until the morn
ing of the 12th, when we were ordered to take up the line of march to
our old camp near Liberty Mills, at which place we arrived about p. m.
I forward with this a list of casualties.*
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. J. WILLIAMS,
Major, Commanding Fifth Virginia Infantry.
Captain FULTON, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
~$o. 35.
Report of Capt. Charles L. Haynes, Twenty -seventh Virginia Infantry.
CAMP NEAR GORDONSVILLE, VA., August 13, 1862.
SIB : I respectfully submit the following as a report of the part my
regiment took in the battle of the 9th instant near Ripley s Station, in
Culpeper County, Virginia:
In placing the brigade in line of battle my regiment occupied the
Embodied in No. 27,
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 197
extreme right, connecting with the line of the Second Brigade and sup
ported 011 the left by the Thirty-third Virginia Volunteers. After hav
ing formed in line of battle we remained for some time under a heavy tire
of shot and shell from the enemy s artillery. I then, under orders, ad
vanced my regiment in line with the brigade through a dense forest,
with heavy undergrowth of brush and much fallen timber, to the fence
dividing the woodland from a cleared field. Owing to the density of
the forest, the enemy, who was in line of battle directly in front of us,
was not discovered until he fired upon us. I then ordered my regiment
to advance to the fence and return the fire. This was promptly done,
and was kept up for some time with such effect that two regiments of
the enemy, which immediately confronted us, commenced falling back
rapidly in much disorder. However, just as we had succeeded in
repelling the enemy in front of us, it was discovered that the regiment
which supported us on the right had been driven back, and the enemy
were rapidly advancing on our right, cross-firing us and endeavoring
to get in our rear. Here the fire was very heavy. I lost 3 men killed
and 1 wounded, and not having sufficient force to drive back theeuemy
and hold my position, the regiment was compelled to fall back. This,
on account of thick brush and fallen timber that covered the ground,
caused the regiment to scatter considerably. After retreating about
150 yards we met a brigade (which I took to be Branch s) coming to
our support. I fell immediately in rear of this brigade. I attempted
to rally my regiment. In this I only partially succeeded. I then pro
ceeded to the main road leading to the battle-field, arriving here just
as General Jackson was passing. The detached parts of companies
which I had with me here gave a cheer, and at the personal order of
General Jackson followed him again to the battle-field. After this the
regiment did not appear as a regiment but acted in detachments, some
connecting themselves with other regiments, others going in with squads
from different regiments, some detailed or ordered back in charge of
prisoners, which they had assisted in capturing.
While every member of the regiment who went into the fight, both
officers and men, acted nobly and gallantly, still the conspicuous con
duct of some of the officers and men after the regiment became broken
and was acting in independent squads, deserves to be particularly
noticed.
Capt. P. F. Frazer, of Company E, individually took a Yankee captain,
a sergeant, and two privates while they were retreating from our forces,
and delivered them in person, and without any other guard than him
self, to General Jackson.
Lieut. A. M. Edgar, of Company E, Color Sergt. W. H. Powell, Sergt.
C. L. Davis, and Dr. J. B. Patton, surgeon s stewards [sic], only two of
the party having fire-arms, one having the colors and the lieutenant
his sword, at the instance of Lieutenant-Colonel Gardner went beyond
our lines after the fight and captured a Yankee picket of 1 sergeant
and 12 privates, all of whom Avere armed when they were captured.
They brought them to the Fourth Virginia Volunteers and delivered
them to the guard.
My regiment went into the battle with less than 130 men rank and
file. Loss, 3 killed and 1 wounded.
Very respectfully,
, C. L. HAYNES,
Captain, Commapiding Twenty-seventh Virginia Regiment.
Capt. J. H. FULTON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
198 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MIX [CHAP. XXIV.
No. 36.
Report of Tjieut. Col. Edwin G. Lee, Thirty -third Virginia Infantry.
CAMP GAKNETT, YA., August 13, 1862.
CAPTAIN : In obedience to orders just received I have the honor to
submit the following report of the part taken by me in the action of
August 9 at Cedar Run :
On the morning of that day, at sunrise, the brigade left the bivouac,
about a mile from the left bank of the Rapidan River, and marched,
with many interruptions, some 6 or 7 miles on the road to Culpeper
Court-House. About midday we were halted in a wood on the left of
the road while a light cannonade was going on some distance in front.
After remaining quiet about an hour ind a half we were again moved
forward perhaps a mile or two and halted in another wood, from which
we moved about 4 p. in. in the direction of the enemy, keeping the
woods, by order, to avoid raising the dust. The cannonade had become
quite brisk, and when near the ground on which we subsequently fought
the brigade was halted, ordered to load, and form in line of battle, my
regiment being next to the Twenty -seventh Virginia, which occupied the
right. In this order we were moved forward a short distance, and then
formed in column of regiments, right in front, still marching. In a short
time this column was deployed upon the leading regiment and a halt
ordered at a fence directly in front of us, which, by order of the colonel
commanding, was leveled. Here we lay for some twenty minutes under
a very sharp fire of shell and spherical case, which, fortunately, occa
sioned me no casualties. At the end of this time the brigade was
again moved forward in line of battle over a stubbfe-field flanked on
either side by woods; the left wing of my regiment was in the field, the
right in the woods, and the Twenty-seventh entirely in the woods oifmy
right. After having advanced about 125 yards the command was given
to charge, when the whole line moved at a double-quick, the colonel
commanding leading in person. Almost simultaneously with this move
ment a few shots from our left drew the fire from the line of the enemy,
who were well posted in a woods about 250 yards off, and who being
able to see only a part of our force, on account of a slight hill over
which the Fifth, Thirty-third, and Twenty- seventh had to pass, had also
commenced to advance. Here for the first time I discovered the Fed
erals in sight, and giving the command to my men, they poured a steady
fire from the left wing into the enemy s ranks. My horse becoming un
manageable I dismounted, and in common with other regimental com
manders urged the men forward. Our line steadily advanced, slowly
driving our opponents, until I reached the corner of the woods on my
right, where the right of my regiment and the whole of the Twenty-
seventh came into view of the enemy. The firing was now general, but
in front of me the enemy for some time were quite steady, and com
menced to flank ray right, getting upon that flank in the woods within
forty steps of Company A. I sent the adjutant to see if the Twenty-
seventh was aware of this movement and to urge their active assistance.
He reported that the Twenty-seventh was not there, and 1 then directed
the fire of the three right companies (A, F, and D) against the flankers,
whose shots already enfiladed us. In a few moments the ground was
dotted with their blue uniforms, and the rest retreated more rapidly
than they advanced. I now observed the fine effect of the fire in front
and pushed the men forward. I had previously informed Colonel
Ronald of the attempted flank movement, and almost immediately
CUM-. XXIY.] CEDAK MOUNTAIN, VA. 199
received a message by liis orderly that a brigade of General A. P. Hill s
division would come up in a few moments. I had continued to press
the men on, driving the enemy, and as their retreat became a run Gen
eral Branch s brigade arrived upon the extension of my line. They
tired a few rounds and then ceased for a time and pushed on after the
now fleeing enemy.
My men being thoroughly exhausted, together with myself, the firing
having ceased entirely upon this part of the field, and no enemy being
in sight, I withdrew about 100 yards and collected the men, who had
become somewhat scattered in the eagerness of the fight. There gath
ered with me considerable parts of the other regiments, and having
about half the brigade, and being the senior officer present, I took com
mand and conducted them some half a mile farther on to the colonel
commanding, who had halted on a hill in front and upon the right of
our position with the remainder.
We were engaged from about 5 p. in. until dark, and the men con
sumed nearly every cartridge. Their aim was steady and their fire
effective, inflicting under my own eye severe loss upon the enemy.
My casualties, considering the continued and heavy fire to which we
were subjected, w^ere almost miraculously few, being only 15 wounded.