Summary:
Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts commanded the Second Division of the Third Corps of
the Army of Virginia which includes the 107th Pa. Ricketts reports that the
regiment arrived at the battlefield at 7 p.m. and drove the enemy with artillery
fire.
Col. E. SCHRIVER, Chief of Staff.
August 14, 1862
COLONEL:
Agreeably to orders I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my division in the late engagement near Cedar Mountain:
On Friday, the 8th instant, the division was ordered from camp north of Culpeper, and took position on the Orange road, near its junction with the road leading to Stevensburg, and remained there until ordered forward about 5 p.m. on the 9th, reaching the field about 7 o'clock. The division was immediately directed to relieve the right of Gen. Banks' corps, which was done by forming line of battle--Tower's brigade on the right, Carroll's on the left, Hartsuff's brigade in close column of division in rear of Tower's, and Durea's in rear of Carroll's; two batteries of artillery--Leppien's and Matthews'--on the right, and two batteries--Thompson's and Hall's--toward the left and center.
This arrangement was being rapidly completed when the enemy advanced a battery near a point of woods to our left in close range and opened a brisk fire, followed by discharges of infantry. Hall's battery had formed, Thompson's camp into action while receiving the enemy's fire, and both replied with such good effect as to cause the withdrawal of the enemy, leaving us in undisturbed possession of the field for the night. The excellent practice of the artillery and the general good conduct of the division are deserving of praise.
I herewith submit the reports of brigade commanders, chief of artillery, and the colonel commanding Firs Maine Cavalry, who was temporarily allotted to Gen. Bayard's brigade, the casualties amounting to 103 killed, wounded, and missing, according to the accompanying list.* In this connection I must knowledge the attention and zeal of my staff, Surg. N.R. Moseley, medical director; Maj. D. Tillson, chief of artillery; Maj. William Painter, division quartermaster; Capt. J.W. Williams, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. William Fisher, aide-de-camp; Capt. B.W. Richards, aide-de-cam, who each rendered important services in his appropriate duties.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES B. RICKETTS,
Brig.-Gen. Volunteers, Commanding Division.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I. Vol. 12. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 16, Page 170, Broadfoot Publishing Company, , .
