The New York herald., 1864-09-21

falling back and demonstrating towards the lords OF
the Potomac; but In all these movements their designs
were quickly interpreted by General Sheridan through
the medium OF his cavalry otBcers-Generas Torbsrt
Merritt, Wilson, Custer and Averil These officers for
weeks have been constantly 10 the saddle day and
night; they have moved from point to point OF our
position with celebrity that insures success TO our
cause, aud whenever they have met the enemy they
have inflicted damage upon his columns beyond that gus
tanned by ourselves An Invasion OF our territory by
the enemy while Sheridan leads his army simply
mpossbility, or, possible. it would be foohardv on
the part OF the enemy, unless he in overwhelming
force N the rebels the fords Gen. Sheridan would
be their and flank they retreat up the valley
he - their rear; If he stays 10 his present position
starvation at least short rations, will effect the work
OF defeat.
Our army s 10 su excellent climate and position They
daily reiperatng They have plenty OF good whole
food, and plenty Of clothing, and during the last
six paymasers have been dispensing greenbacks
with cheerful hands Our communications between tho
main army and this point, which temporarily dis
turbcd by Mosbys guerilas, reopencd yesterday
lieutenant Colonel Page, Of the commssary OF Genersi
Toberts cavalry corps, bad the honor OF eecng this.
He came through the other day from General sherdans
heaquarters escorted by cavalry detachment. In the
afternoon during the night supply trans sent 10
the front with supplies.
Rebel prisoners report that General Eirly has been
reinforced instead Of retrcatnr Rchmond and that
s the design OF their to keep largo force
the valley of the Shenandoah for the present.
HARpgss FERRY. va, Sept 10, 1884.
The recent visit OF Lieutenant General Grant to this
department was 20 put IN motion active movement
OF tho army The visit brier and significant
On Friday morning las, the enemy disappeared entirely
from the lcft wing OF army, on tile Winchester
Berryvilc pko and ouly made faint show right.
This gaye rise to the that they had sthor taken
IN their nc o retreat towards sraspug or bad ma.sod
over 10 their sr tour right for concentrated move.
mcnt against US.
General Sheridan at once took measures 10 ASCERTAIN
the facts in the case and from he infor nation obtsed
soon came 10 tho conclusion that this attempted clover
movement Of Geuera Early only fcint 10 get troops
on our LETT over the west side OF tho Opequsp creek
The trap was discovered snd the rebel general tnwsed
n his designs. General sheridan did not have any ap
preheuson Of any result but victory had he crossed
when the rebels fell back but be not ready al the
time
The affair yesterday morning a. Msrtinsburg, between
the rcbes consisting OF artillery and infantry and our
troops under General Averii showed that the rebel,
were stouty guarding the Baltimore and OHIO Railroad,
with avewtcf preventing h reopeuIng from here to
Cumberland.
Shortly after daylight this morning the enemy were
discovered force on The vest bank Of the opcqrsn
when sharp skrmshins aud brisk csnnouade iock place
between the armies Major General Crook, with his
noble OF the West Virginia army occupied the
right line. the Nnsissn,h corps the CENTRE and
the sixth corps the left.
The sreat battle ,he possession Of the Valley Of the
Shenandoah has commenced ut said lhs, ,hs rebels
have large reserve concealed 10 tho valley. between
North Mountains and Third Nm Mount,ps with head
quarters At Jsmesburg. The reports OF rebel dsssrtsrs
others regard to tho strength Of this force are
ssaakspg Ihas u u tia,pul' v Ss,sis ssvs ppos ~