The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-01 00:00:00

SATURDAY .EVBILMICIA OCTOBER 1, ?•1864.

lAATZST INTELLIGEPICE.

day that the 'min podium of Foxiy's forces wee eneamped
be the vicinity of Banlendirn sad Seepheassa's depot, re-
solved to mass hie farms on the Winchester sad Berryville
pike, and by • emeiffeemement had them an Foily's rear.
Time is no doubt that the seamy were completely surprised
and out-zasormined by Maiden. While his different
columns were being matched to the appointed pleas of rest-
dismosot portion of our cavalry, under Generals Torbert
sad Averill, kept up a dram picket line along the Optima,
sad by demonstaiitteg in form at Bars'-ford kept a large
portion of the enemy at that part of the field,
which was nearly twelve miles distant from the
point where it was intended our infantry should
*perste and strike a blow which should result in the
signal defeat efflffarly's army. The delay in the arrival of
the 19th Cormmtabled Early to move Gordon's division at
the double quick from Bunker-hill, distant about 10 miles,
sad bring it up in time to form in line of battle with
Breekimidge's, Ramseur's, sad Rhodes' commands, which
had already arrived and were formed in a belt of woods
skirting Berryville and Wiathester. As soon as the 19th
Corps arrived it was famed in four lines of battle, about
300 yards apart, on the right of the 6th Corp, and every-
thing being in readiness the advance was sounded at about
12 o'clock, and the different lines moved forward. The
two corps deemed in splendid style, sad just as
ocenpasedly as though marching at a review or on parade,
drums beating a:dealt:ars flying, presenting each an imposing
spectacle as ham seldom been witnessed in the present war.
In fact some of the oldest and most experieuced staff officers
present declared they had never before witnessed so truly
grand a spectacle. The first line bad not edvaneed more
than 200 yards before it became warmly engaged with
the enemy, who were posted in line about 600 yards
distant. At the same time our artillery opened a furious
cannonade, throwing shells and solid shot into the oppo-
site woods, where the enemy could he distinctly seen moving
up reinforcements. Our different lines of battle continued
to advance steadily until within nearly 200 yards of the
enemy's line, when the rebels opened a furious cannonade
with grape and canister from two batteries which they had
previously kept secreted, and which ploughed through our
advancing lines, mowing down large numbers et our men.
The first line was obliged to give way under so murderous
a fire, and in retreating behind the second line, threw ft
into momentary confusion, and it also was obliged to fall I
back behind the third line, which had in the meantime beim
ordered to lie down, in order to avoid as much as possible
the effects of the withering fire which the enemy's batteries
were directing gainst our deeming lines. The artUlee7 was
now brought up and posted in commanding politicos to
silence those batteries of the enemy which had
ascend us so much annoyance, and our line was
reformed and again moved forward, regaining the
advanced position which they had held whim they
were obliged to fall back. But this imam was not gained
without the most obstinate resistance on the part of the
enemy. General Sheridan had previously ridden along the
lines, and was received everywhere by the men with the
greatest enthusiasm ; and when they advanced it was with
the 'terrible determination to do or die in the attempt.
Having regained the advanced position which we had pre-
viously occupied, the different lines of tattle were ordered to
to lie down and wait the arrival of General Crook's corps,
which was held in reserve on the eastern side of the Om-
quo. They were ordered up to take position on the extreme
right of our line, and in order to counteract a movement is
the part of the enemy, who were massing troops
on their left flank with the view of turning our right.
Precisely at 3 o'clock General Crook formed on the
right of the 19th Corp, his Lit Division on the extreme
right of our line, and the 2nd Division in the rear, sup-
porting a division of the 19th Corps. Gamut Crook,
having formed his men, rode along the lines, and was
received with most vociferous cheering, the men promising
to go in and wipe out Winchester. General Torbert, with
Merritt's end Averill's divisions of cavalry, having crossed
the °mum about 9 o'clock at Bums' and Knox's Fords,
had been hard at work all day, fighting considerable bodies
of the enemy's infantry and cavalry, and having been ana
°metal in steadily driving them before them, now arrived
on our extreme right, and was prepared to take part in the
final struggle which secured us the victory. Gene-
ral Sheridan rode out to where Gamed Torbert
was stationed, and after a consultation with hint as to
the part the cavalry were to take, ordered the final
charge, which was made with an impetuosity which nothing
could resist. Our line, extending nearly three miles is
length, admixed amid the cheers and yells which could to
distinctly heard far above the noise caused by the thunder
of the artillery and the continuous roar of musketry, which,
for its impetuosity, has seldom been exceeded in my battle
of this war. Our men had determined to win the day, and
nerved themselves accordingly for the coming struggle, and
as our lines advanad closer and closer to those of the
enemy the battle became more and more fierce, until,
in point of desperate and fierce carnage, it will
compare favourably with any similar contest of the war.
The slaughter now was truly awful. At every discharge
men could be distinctly seen dropping all around, and the
two contending lines at some point' could not have been
over 200 yards apart. Just at this critical period, above
the roar of artillery, musketry, and cheers, and the fierce
yells of the contending armies, could be distinctly heard
the shrill notes of the cavalry bugle, sounding the charge
which was the death knell to Early's army. There could
be seen the gallant Custer and Merritt, each with head- I
quarters Beg in band, and conspicuous among the advancing
squadrons, gallantly leading the chugs which, in connexion
with the desperate charge of our infantry, secured us the
victory. All honour to those gallant chiefs who have done
so well.

The New Yo►k Herald of the 2let says :

Yesterday messing the permit of the Ilyieg rebels up the
valley was maimed by our cavalry, and at last aooonsta they
bad reached aa far am Kearnstows.

Oar despatch from City Point, Va., can that cannon-
ading was kept up on the left flank of our army in front
of Petersburg all Sunday night last, and till early Monday
morning, and it was thought that the rebels were making
efforts to turn our left flank. Though they can gain so
advantage by any such movement, it was thought not
unlikely that • general battle might pow out at
the affair. General Grant reached the army again
after his visit North, on Monday morning. The
latest despatch from General Sherman to Secretary
Stanton announces that everything continues quiet at At-
lanta. Prom Louisville and Vicksburg we have important
information relative to the movements of the flying rebel
forces in different, portions of the south-west. Forrest is
said to have been within 15 miles of Memphis on the
12th inst., whither he had moved from Jackson, Mississippi,
when he has previously concentrated all his available
troop., estimated at 20,000. General Price is laid to be
again threatening Little Rock, Arkannu, and Marma-
duke is reported to be amass the St. Francis river
with 7,000 mac, intending an invasion of Missouri.
Dick Taylor has joined Forrest, and the greatest secretly
was being observed with regard to their designs. Oar cor-
respondents in New Orleans and Mobile Say furnish vary
interesting letters, descriptive of affairs in thedepartmeat of
the Gulf. The Union and rebel commissioners for the
exchange of prisoners had an interview at Morganria,
Louisiana, on the 12th inst., and it is hoped that • general
exchange may be the result. The attack on the city of
Mobile had sot yet commenced. Au expedition sent out
from Fort Gahm bad destroyed immense rebel saltworks and
inflicted severe damage on the rebels. The rebels have been
destroying peat quantities of turpentine and resin in
the vicinity of Mobile to keep it from falling into the hands
of our soldiers.

ferment el tin Jew wall manifest • power linden in
Or government egad to the meant. Oar goverment,
thoughn detoooreey, should In time• of trouble and danger
be able to wield the pewee of a peat satire. All well.

W. T. Elinamax. Major-Genera

To the above despatches Secretary Stanton adds
the order for the draft, ,Js.—" The draft is ordered
to commence k all the States and districts where
the quota is not filled by volunteers, on Monday,
the 19th, and will go on until completed. Volun-
teer and substitutes will be received and credited
to u late a period as possible. Volunteering is
still progressing with vigour in most of the States!'