DRAFT OF THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN.

311

During the progress of these minor events, an unusual degree of enterprise and spirit pervaded the operations of the Federal Government in preparing for the energetic contiuance of the war. On the 4th of August, an order was issued by the President, through the War Department, to the effect, that a draft of three hundred thousand militia should be made, and immediately placed in the service of the United States, for the period of nine months, unless sooner discharged; at the same time setting forth, that proper arrangements would be speedily made for assigning the respective quotas of this number to each of the States. The order also announced, that if by the 15th of August, any State had not furnished its quota of the three hundred thousand volunteers already demanded by a previous order, a special draft should be made in the State to make up that number, and thus supply the deficiency. This requisition was subsequently complied with, and the loyal States presented to the world the marvelous spectacle which has never before been exhibited in the history of mankind, of the enormous mass of six hundred thousand men, raised, armed, equipped, and marched into the field, during the brief period of three months.

And further, That the relative rank between officers of the navy and the griny shall be as follows, lineal rank only to be considered:

CHAPTER XVIII.

DESIGNS OF THE REBEL GENERALS IN VIRGINIA-MEASURES TAKEN TO COUNTERACT THEMTHE ARMIES OF BANKS AND JACKSON APPROACH EACH OTHER-BATTLE OF CEDAR OR SLAUGHTER MOUNTAIN-POSITION OF THE COMBATANTS-COMMENCEMENT OF THE ENGAGEMENT-INCIDENTS OF ITS PROGRESS-ITS TERMINATION AND RESULTS-LOSS ON BOTH SIDES -HEROISM OF GENERAL BANKS-SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS OF THE REBELS-SKIRMISHES ALONG THE LINE OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK-DESIGNS OF THE REBEL GENERALS-ARRANGEMENTS OF GENERAL POPE-ENGAGEMENT AT CATLETT'S STATION-FEDERAL LOSS OF BAGGAGE AND STORES-THE REBELS CROSS THE RAPPAHANNOCK-BATTLE WITH THE TROOPS OF GENERAL SIGEL-APPROACH OF REBELS TOWARD MANASSAS-CONFLICT AT KETTLE RUN -AT BRISTOW'S STATION-THE GREAT BATTLE AT MANASSAS ON AUGUST TWENTY-NINTHINCIDENTS OF THE STRUGGLE-ENGAGEMENT RENEWED ON THE THIRTIETH-ITS INCIDENTS AND RESULTS-RETREAT OF THE FEDERAL ARMY-BATTLE OF CHANTILLY--DEATH OF GENERALS KEARNY AND STEVENS-RETURN OF THE FEDERAL ARMY TO WASHINGTON-LOSSES DURING THE CAMPAIGN OF GENERAL POPE IN VIRGINIA-SKETCHES OF GENERALS KEARNY AND STEVENS-A COURT-MARTIAL SUMMONED AT WASHINGTON TO INVESTIGATE CHARGES AGAINST GENERAL PORTER-ITS VERDICT.

DURING the first week of August, 1862, the military authorities at Washington obtained authentic information, which convinced them that the Confederate generals were assembling a formidable force, for the purpose of crushing the army commanded by General Pope, and advancing to the capture either of Washington or of Baltimore. General Halleck immediately authorized General Pope to summon the forces under General Cox, in Western Virginia, to join him with all possible despatch; while the former was directed to cross the Rappahannock, occupy Culpepper, and threaten Gordonsville. This movement at once excited the apprehensions of the Rebel leaders. Jackson and Ewell immediately crossed the Rapidan at Barnett's Ford, approached the position occupied by the corps of General Banks, near Cedar or Slaughter Mountain, and on Saturday, the 9th of August, a battle was fought between the two armies, scarcely second in fury and stubbornness to any which had occurred during the war.

The point at which this contest took place was about five miles south of Culpepper Court House, on the road to Gordonsville. The enemy took their position on the side of Cedar Mountain, where they were protected in a large degree by thick forests. They numbered at least twenty-five thousand men. The advantages of their position were very great, for it commanded a full view of the operations of the Federal troops below them, and enabled them to post their batteries in several successive tiers, semicircular in their outline, by which they could simultaneously cannonade the whole body of their assailants. The position of the latter was

THE BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN.

313

completely exposed to the enemy, having no advantage of natural or artificial defence whatever. On the day previous to the battle, the brigade of General Crawford had been thrown forward to observe the movements of the enemy, and oppose his advance. General Banks occupied this posi tion with his entire corps on the day of the engagement. Rickett's division of McDowell's corps was three miles in his rear. The corps of Sigel, which had been marching during all the night preceding the battle, was allowed to halt in Culpepper to recruit for a few hours. Thus the engagement commenced between the enemy and the corps of Banks, which comprised about seven thousand men.

The combat opened with an artillery duel, at a quarter-past two o'clock in the afternoon. It was at once evident that the Rebels possessed an immense superiority in the number of their guns. The firing of the Federals was also up hill, resulting from the disadvantage of their position; but the greater accuracy of their aim was equally apparent. In an hour one of their six batteries was silenced. The Federals then closed up their lines on the right and left, and advanced toward the enemy. The left wing having approached two hundred yards nearer than their first posi tion, lay on the ground, while the contest between the artillery continued, so that the deluge of shot discharged by the foe passed over them harmlessly, though they could not escape the effect of their bursting shells. At four o'clock another of their batteries was silenced. At that moment they advanced from their position, and made a bold attempt to flank the left of the Federals. This movement was repelled and defeated by the gallant advance of Geary's brigade. At half-past four the troops under Generals Prince, Green, and Geary, were ordered to charge the batteries of the enemy on the left. As the Federals approached they were assailed with a terrific storm of shot and shell, which might have appalled even veteran warriors. As they approached the base of the mountain, the Rebels, whom the woods till then had concealed, rushed forward in immense numbers, and attacked the Federals with musketry. The latter were mowed down like grain before the reaper; but still they advanced without flinching. In a desperate collision they forced the enemy back upon the mountain, and held them there firmly. But soon heavy reinforcements of infantry, consisting of about eight regiments, enabled the Rebels to overpower the heroes before them, and compelled them eventually to retire. This movement was performed quietly and in good order.

It was now half-past six, and the engagement became general. It was marked by special fury on the Federal right wing. During an hour the most sanguinary slaughter was inflicted here by both sides. At one time the enemy were successful in surrounding the right flank, by the use of an artifice scarcely excusable by the laws of honorable warfare. Hoisting the stars and stripes, a large body suddenly emerged from the woods in such a position as to assume the appearance of a reinforcement to the

Federals. The latter, deceived by the imposition, permitted the enemy to approach until they were near enough to inflict upon them a destructive volley of musketry. Convinced by this argument of their mistake, the Federal troops instantly returned the salute, and charged upon the foe with such ferocity as to break their ranks, and compel them to retreat in the utmost disorder behind their first position. As night approached, the contest became more and more furious. General Banks still held the position which he occupied in the morning. At seven o'clock General Pope arrived upon the field, and sent an order to General McDowell to advance General Rickett's division to support the troops engaged; and he also directed General Sigel to join in the engagement as soon as possible. Rickett's division being close at hand, was quickly upon the field, and took up their position on the right. The battle was then renewed with greater desperation and destructiveness than before. But it did not long continue, in consequence of the spread of the partial darkness of night over the scene. The discharge of artillery alone was kept up, and cast its lurid horrors around the combat until near midnight. At one time, before the charges of infantry and cavalry terminated, the Rebels drove back the Federal troops for a considerable distance, and occupied their position. But during the night the enemy receded up the mountain to their fastnesses, and on the following day occupied a line of defence still nearer to its summit.

On the following day neither side seemed disposed to renew the engagement. The desperate struggles which had already taken place, the overpowering heat of the weather, the immense number of dead and wounded of both armies, whose bodies covered the plain below, and the mountain above, who must be cared for, removed, or buried, rendered it indispensable that the fighting should be suspended. It was not until Monday evening that the process of burying was completed, or at least terminated. During Sunday all the available Union forces were hurried forward to join the corps of General Banks. It was then confidently expected that the battle would be renewed, and an attempt made to dislodge the enemy from their position on the mountain. But during Monday night they voluntarily withdrew from their stronghold and crossed the Rapidan. General Buford was sent forward with four regiments of cavalry in pursuit, to watch their movements, and ascertain their route. Many of the Rebel dead were left unburied; many of their wounded were abandoned to their fate by their departing comrades. The Federal loss in this battle in killed, wounded, and missing, was about two thousand. Generals Augur and Geary were severely wounded. General Prince and his staff were taken prisoners by the enemy. The loss of the Rebels was at least three thousand in killed and wounded. Among the former was General Winder. In this conflict the skill and gallantry of General Banks were conspicuous, and contributed greatly to the partial success