The New York herald., 1864-10-24
Minute Details Of the Manner ei
tho Enemy'S Attack, His AdvaR-
tage and Discontinue.
Estimate Of Our Lesses and
Captures.
The Loss Of the Enemy About
Seven Thousand.
HE G AS u ALTIE S
&c.. &C.. a
If. Charles II. Farrell's Despatcn.


mr.. Charles II. Farrell's Despatch.
NEAR HEADQUARTERS, MpDLE MILITARY DivIsIoN,l
CEDAR CREEK, Va, Oct. 81, 1864. (
The battle Of the 10th inss in this vicinity the main
facts OF which have been given TO tho readers Of the
HERALD, is memorable the history Of the present
rebellion. To your correspondent assumed the charac
ter 4 day Loaf and day DAY lost not by neg.
iect Of army corps but day lost by
physical causes. and day by the quick PERCEPTION
and prompt action Of popular military chief is said
has It's counterpart and in the case Of the
battle Of the 10th We nnd the fact verified.
TIE POSITIONS sxYoRE THs BATTLE.
The position OF army prior 10 the attack OF the 18th
iuss may be stated thus-0ur line Of batte-n may bc
termed-extended line Of about four miles,
rokng territory or commanding hills ravnes and small
runs, left resting on the north fork OF the shenan
doah rver and In an irregular line crossing the Srasburg
and Winchester pike conforming itself the zig gag
formation Of Cedar The camps OF roops
made 10 cover, and the western slopes OF the hills
mo Army Of West Virginia. Major General Crook COM
mandng occupied that portion OF the liue from the
shsnsudOah the srasburg pke the Nineteenth army
corps. MAJOR General Emory, the centre OF the lue
extending from the pike to the Sixth corps, and tho right
e6 line composed Of the latter corps, under
MAJOR General Wright. The front OF General Crooks
esmmand was fortified, also q portion OF the Nine
seensh army corp The front OF the Sixth corps
fortified In our position the troops were encamped in
two lines, ready for any emergency. The cavalry div
sons Of Generals Custer and Merritt the right OF
she Sixth corps and occupied In part position the
west Of Cedar creek and covering the middle road which
runs parallel with North Mountain. A. all points
position made to conform to the topography and
Natural advantages OF the country The improvements
@ our camp BY fortifyng, and impregnabty
In ha duntf ad hut aiaxa
sion Of vigilance the part the corps commanders
was allowed.
REcoSNoIssAscE BEToRR THR
The day before the battle a ecourossance made
towards Strasburg, with view 10 learn the location OF
She rebel army. The detachment Of troops Consisted
Of . portion OF the Army OF West Virginia, con
sistng Of the Fifth New York heavy artillery, Captain
Wikic (senior captain; the Eleventh Virginia aud
fifteenth Virginia regiments the whole under command
q Colonel Harris oficer known for his military Skin
and self possession Leusnsnss Moore and Roberts, OF
General Crooks staff accompanied the expedition. The
troops e, their way carefully through the woods by
paths and along ssrasburg pike unit, they reached
the crest OF hill having commanding view Of stras-
burg and vicinity, during the advance meeting With
Impeding circumstances. The party advanced 10 a
Dosition six miles from camp Field glasses spd tele
scopes brought into requsitlon. and scrutniliug
observation was made OF tho surrounding country.
etsaeburg-where day or Two before The enemy had
their pickets-was found deserted by all except tew
inhabtanta Beyond the town few rebel cavniry
videttes were observed. After remain,ng there =
few hours the party returned TO camp with the i'm
preston that II the enemy had not retreatsd
sAey well concealed behind Fishers li and Round
Top Mountain. The piesets in front Of camp
and vigAnt but in the night, rather early
following morning Cbe 19th, mountain fog cr
mist prevailed that 1t dfieut to observe Ggure
standing face 70 face. THIS improved as an sgspt
saous occasion for the rebels 20 attack our army.
TUE RxKxy p4TsRsHEs on ATTACK.
General Early thcreupcn determined to measure ords
With his victorious opponent, General Sheridan, or the
commander OF army whoever be might Re, With a
view Of retrieving his former defeat by making, what IS
called in military parlance, "1snk movement" Fur.
shermorc, as have unconroveri BILE evidence OF the
fact Early had learned that General sheridan was ab.
cent from the army ana this, no doubt, thought
second point in his favor. The attack determined
spen and partially carried OUT but the result was Ger
sa,uy not what the rebel commsnder contemplated Ii
~as not In his plan. Hc counted without his host.
rHE HARca or
Tho rebel army moved from Fisner'e Hill at hali.past
Twelve O'Clock night the morning OF the l9,h, Gen.
Kerhsws division leading the advance followed by tho
commands OF Gordon, Ramseur, Wharton and others.
psnesal Kershsw, like his commanding general, had
reputation TO redeem, and, matter Of favor he asked
That his division might be allowed the privilege TO ex
scuic the flank movement the left OF our position.
From ssrasourg he followed the track The Manassas
psp Railroad which runs along The base OF Mannessulien
Mountain, and marched until no reached ford In the
sssr OF the left line OF works. He then crossed the
aorth fork OF the Shenandoah formed biz troops al
right angle With line Of battle, and extended his limo
10 run parallel with the sirasburg pike. This all
accomplished without alarming our picsets and under
ssvsr of fog Parallel 10 the ensmys line, In The
rear Of General Crooks command, Was provisional dv
aou Of our troops under Col Kitchen, OF tbe s1tb New
Tort heavy artillery. The rebel nanters were in posi-
so BY four O'Clock A. NJ, but the attack Dos ie
lake place until daylight
Ias srRrnps
Up to ibis time not an alarm vas given or soppostor
santsd 10 our e.mps that tho rebels were wnhp sbor
susks range. General Kersbaw was supported by Cor
aons rebel uoops who we're TO cooperate afsr the a.
saok commenosd, while the other portion Of Early,
arny, with their artillery, movsd down the snasburS
PIKE ihsrs 70 remain until Kershav attached. A. s,,
s,cock A. n. the rebel attack commenced and :,
ssssosly was conducted that the enemy were in th,
camp Of Crooks command without firing . snos ans
sAss eommsscsd the work Of carnage and Death N,
slarn Of the attack was given ~ soon 10 poss,
bls under the circumstances. Tbs second battalion
yHsh New York heavy artillery which ives o.
ptoket, wss captured almost entire. One battery apt
sss psoe Of smother battery Of artillery, position ia
our worts vsrs captured without nrius shot IN
rebels, ssssd BY their success, sns up cheers upo'
sAsers apd inca opened heavy musksssy Ore upon ou
ssp. OR mon sesed their arms and rsires,ed. Reg,
ssspw more remote formed promptly 10 line and fsl
hack 10 gain position. In short time ths main rsbc
osnn uasehed into position from the pikc, and
IsrshsvN lust in time 70 assst him in swespss dovr
Ne ,surhv lines o. our WORKS Tho Nussesat,