The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-09-26
MONDAY MORNING. ..sEpTnMBER %, 1864.

MONDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 2G, 1864.
THE WAR NEWS.
The heavy firing that was heard between and
o'clock on Saturday morning proceeded from
Grants lines, which extend fronnpeep Bottom to
the Weldon railroad. The. Yankees had heard Of
Shcridan's success in driving Early from Fishers
Hill, and fired a salute with shottcd gums in homer
thereof. With this exception, everything has re-
manned quiet in front of Petersburg since last
report. A Yankee correspondent says that "a
move which is destined to astonish somebody is on
the qai rire," he probably meant to say tapis and
it would not surprise if active operations were
naugurated before many days.
soldier named Ratcliffe, from Floyd county,
Virginia, was executed on Saturday afternoon for
descrtion. Four balls pierced his breast, and hi
death was almost instantaneous. The crime for
which he suffered was his second offence.
FROM THE VALLEY.
Official dispatches received on the 2ad state that
the enemy attacked General Early late yesterday
t27a) at Fishers Hill, and succeeded in forcing back
compelled him to abandon the position, leaving
tWelVe pieces OF Cannon III tueir nan0S, tn0uSu
losing but few men,
The above news, which was made public on Sat-
urday morning, furnished a theme for conversation
throughout the day. 1t is useless to disguise the
fact that it caused some feelings of dependency,
because it took everybody by SURPRISE The opinion
was general that Fishers Hill. if not mpregnable.
was at least very strong postion capable Of long
and obstinate Defence and the hope had been fondly
cherished that Early would have there been able to
thwart the designs of the enemy. But while some
were Respondent the people were generally hopeful
and entertained no misgivings to the future. It
is true We have suffered reverse, but nothing in
comparison with what we have suffered before and
survived All but the most inveteratc croakers see
the bright star of hope gmmering through the dark
ening clouds, and are confident that the tide of
events will soon turn in our favor
There were many rumors yesterday of the move
ments OF our army in the Valley, which it might be
imprudent to mention until confirmed by otficiaI
reports At last accounts, up to yesterday morning
the enemy had reached Harrisonburg This is the
county seat of Rockingham, and is situated twenty
four miles north northeast of Staunton.
The report that the enemy, in heavy force, COM
posed Of infantry, artillery and cayalry-had made
all error. We only learn that body of cavalry
is lowering about there, probably for purposes of
observation.
We have some few additional particulars of the
fight near Winchester on Monday last. Phe highest
estimate Of our loss from all causes, is from twenty
five hundred to three thousand while that Of the
enemy is represented much heavier, we having
used artillery upon them at short range with great
effect Indeed, that the carnage was terrible, may
be inferred from their own accounts, which do not
generally magnify matters Of this sort. Among our
Casualties, not heretofore noted, the following
Bngadier-deneral Johnston, Of North Carolina,
commanding Iyersons old brigade, killed Colonel
Funk, reported mortally wounded; Lieutenant
Colonel William p. Aoseley, Twenty-frst Virginia,
severely wounded; Sergeant John Ii. Worsham,
acting adjutant in the same rsgiaent, wounded in
the knee Major Bennett, Fourth Virginia, wounded
Captain Charles Campbell, of Harrisonburg, killed
Captain William b. Yancey, Of Rockingham, sa-
rerely wsuaded i'll the thigh, and Captain r. n
Wilson, Of PegraaA's staff, wounded. General Early
and OF bis aids, LIEUTENANT Colonel Mann Page
had their horses shot under them.
1t should he remembered that the difficulties
which General Early contelded sitl i'll the Valley
We're OF no ordinary Character He was opposed By
greatly superior force, numerically; and be suf
fered for the want of cavalry strong enough to cops
with the three large and well disciplined divisions
Torbert, numbering perhaps, 5000 men. 1t is tot
late now, however, to suggest remedies, but not to
! late to prevent oensure from falling upon abb
oieef because le failed To perform an impossibility
THE LATEST
AT last accounts General Early vas at Reezle
town, and was expected to make stand there
This place is about fourteen miles from stauntoI
and six from Port Republic. It is situated on th
road which runs parable! to tho Valley turnpike an
leads to waynesboro'. We heard report last evt
| ming that cavalry engagement took place III Pae
/ Valley on Friday, in which the enemy were badl
beaten and driven back. Passengers by the Centr'
traiE rapport that considerable excitement exists
| Staunton, ani that many of the inhabitants al
making preparations to leave.
We are informed that there was no fight Of an
consequence at Fishers Hill, and that loss WI
very trifing 1t is understood that the trains an
supplies were brought off safely.
FROM EAST TENNESSEE
The following official dispatch has been receive
at the War Department:
"UsApauARrERs ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
/" Hon. j. 4. Seldom, Secretary Of War:
"Generl Echols reports that OH the 22d Genera
Vaughan attacked the enemy at Blue Springs, Tel
nessee, and drove them seven miles into their cl
trcnchments at Bulls Gap, killing aud woundin
several, and taking some prisoners. Our traol
behaved we'll. [signed] r. E. LEI"