The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-31 00:00:00

a prolongation of the Fort Gilmor series of works.
It is defended by strong redoubts, one of which,
mounting two guns, was discovered on the Darby-
town, while another was found nearer the left. Our
loss in the affair was 345, including those above
mentioned. Ido not know what the rebel loss is,
as, taking no prisoners, we have no informetion
whereon to found an estimate. The rebel papers
say their loss was slight. They acknowledge the
death of Major W. T. Jones, Assistant General to
General Field.'
General Lee's official report is as follows:
" Headquarters, A.N.V., Oct. 13.
"At 7 o'clock this morning the enemy endea»
voured to advance between the Darbytown and
Charles City roads, but was repulsed in every
attempt. The most strenuouse effort was made
about four p.m., after which he withdrew, leaving
many dead. Oar loss is very slight.
" General Breckinridge reports that a force of the
enemy came to Greenville on the 12th, and was
defeated by General Vaughan. Some prisoners,
two stands of colours, many horses and arms were
captured. The enemy lost many killed and
wounded. Our loss was slight.
" It E. LEE, General.
" Hon. J. A. Seddon, Secretary of War."
The Richmond Examiner, of the 14th, describes
the affair thus :
" There is again a commotion below. At an early
hour yesterday morning a heavy force of the enemy's
cavalry made a demonstration upon our left flank
on the Darbytown.road, some seven miles from the

city, while a strong force of infantry appeared in
front of our works, between the Darbytown and
Newmarket roads. The hostile cavalry was met by
Gary's command, and a brisk skirmish ensued, while

the gallant 4th Texas brigade, with other portions
of Field's division, met the infantry advance of the
enemy, and saluted them with a galling fire, inflict-
ing severe lose. The fighting was continued
through the forenoon, our troops acting splendidly,
and closed towards noon with the final repulse of
the enemy. Our lines were immediately after ad-
vanced, and positions were selected and fortified at
eligible points upon the ground recently fought
over. Oar loss in this fight was slight. The loss
of the enemy was very heavy. We regret to learn
that Major Willis T. Jones of Kentucky, Adjutant-
General of Field's division, was killed daring his
engagement by one of the enemy's sharpshooters.
It was only on Sunday last this excellent sol-
dier appeared among the pall-bearers at the
funeral of the lamented Gregg. We must add
that in military circles it is not thought
improbable that the fighting may be renewed this
morning, and that it may become a general engage-
ment. Indeed, this may be
.expected now on any
morning. The enemy will not tell us when their
canal is completed. We shall know it by the com-
mencement of the grand assault. That, we repeat,
may ho made at the break of any day. In these
times the decks must be clear for action at all hours
and on all days. Before this month is over the
struggle will begin and end, but the day is unknown,
and will remain unknown till it comes. Along all
the rest of our lines, even unto Petersburg, every
thing was quiet during yesterday. There is always

more or less skirmishing on our extreme right along
the Vaughan-road, south of Petersburg, but it has
now become so common as to be taken little account
of. It amounts to nothing, but shows the restless
activity of the enemy in that quarter."
The following is the latest official despatch relat.
log to General Sheridan's campaign
" War Department, Washington,
Oct. 17, 9.40 p.m.
. _ _

" General Sheridan reports that the rebel army,
lately under Early, but now apparently under Long-
street, having appeared in the vicinity of Strasburg,
his forces moved to attack them on Saturday. Crook,
who had the advance, found the rebels drawn up in
four lines of battle, but upon his charging them with
his accustomed impetuosity, they broke and with-
drew in considerable disorder, without giving the
opportunity for any serious conflict. Sheridan re=
ports them as continuing their retreat in haste far
up the valley.
" Colonel Gansevoort, commanding the 13th New
York Cavalry, has succeeded in surprising a rebel
camp of the outlaw and freebooter Mosby in the
Blue Ridge Mountains, capturing the artillery, con•
sisting of four pieces, with munitions complete.
" C. A. DANA, Actirg-Secretary of War.
" Major-General Dix."
The Richmond Examiner of the 14th gives the
following version of the recent Federal victory in
the valley of the Shenandoah t

" The recent affair in the Valley turned out, as
we expected, to have been a matter of little moment.
But for the loss of five (that's the number) field
pieces, it would be ranked with the ton thousand
inconsequential skirmishes of the war. Since, bows
ever, much has already been said of it, and it has
been characterised as a reverse, we will give the
particulars of the affair as we have obtained them
from a gallant officer who was present, and received
a severe wound while at the post of duty. During
last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, our cavalry
continued to drive the enemy down the Valley. It
was bona fide driving, and not the enemy falling
back, and our men following them at a respectful
distance. We pressed them closely, and whenever
they made a stand we dislodged and drove them on.
Oa Friday there was a smart fight at Newmarket,
in which we beat the enemy and captured nine
forges. On Saturday again there were several small
fights, in the course of which we drove the enemy
past Fisher's-hill on the back road. At this part of
the valley there are three almost parallel roads—
the back and the middle roads and the valley turn -
pike. The pike, passing Fisher's hill, runs through
Strasburg ; the middle road is west of the pike,
and the back road west of middle road. The enemy's
infantry column were retreating by the turnpike.
Their head had reached Straeburg, whence they
stretched back towards Fisher's-hill, four miles
south, their rear being opposite the latter place.
The enemy's cavalry were retreating by the back
and middle roads, and we, pressing in pursuit, on
Saturday evening had advanced a mile or more be-
yond the rear of the enemy's infantry column, who
were then in our right rear, and, owing to the na-
ture of the country, in full view of our cavalry. Our
infantry were at Newmarket, some 15 miles in our
rear. About 7 o'clock on Monday morning the 4th
Virginian Cavalry, on picket on the back road, were
attacked by a brigade of the enemy, whom they
held at bay until our reinforcements were brought
up. Skirmishing and sharpshooting then ensued
for about an hour, when the enemy came up with
his entire force, making simultaneous attacks on
Rosser, on the back road, and MiCeusland on the
middle road. A heavy cannonading took place and
some very severe fighting, during which we cut up
the enemy badly, and there is no doubt but that our
troops could have beaten the enemy's cavalry as
easily as on the preceding day but for the fact that
the heavy masses of the enemy's infantry being so
near at hand and so clearly in view had the effect
of somewhat demoralizing our troops. The report
soon spread that the Yankee infantry were flanking
us, and our men immediately gave way, and a very
considerable stampede ensued, which for a time
partook very much indeed of the nature of a rout.
The Yankees pitched after us, and for half an hour
there was a beautiful exhibition of the speed and
mettle of the horses of the hostile cavalry. We
then pulled up and checked the enemy, and again
retreated. The enemy pressed us till we reached
Columbia Furnace, seven miles south of Fisher's•
hill, when we made a determined stand, and finally
repulsed the enemy and caused them to full back.
The Yankees then returned to their position north
of Fisher's-hill, whence they had driven us in the
morning. We lost in this affair about 200 men
killed, wounded, and' prisoners, mostly the latter,
who were picked up while the roads were choked
up during the early part of the retreat. When our
troops broke and retreated they abandoned to the
enemy four guns of Johnson's (formerly Breathed's)
battery. We also lost five ordnance waggons and
seven ambulances. This will be another lesson to
our officers not to leave an enemy in their rear."
The Examiner adds " later reports from the
valley."

Persons who arrived from Staunton last evening
brought a number of reports of military operations
subsequent to the affair above described, but none
of them are entitled to credit. Among other things;
they say that Rosser renewed the fight on Sunday