Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-10-06
THE BATTLE OF WINCHESTER
SHBRIDAN'S GREAT VICTORY,
HEADQUARTERS 6TE Amy CORPS.
AEME rNpEE SHEELnAN
Correspondence Of the New York Word.

Correspondents Of the New York Word.
At IL o'clock in the forenoon, therefore
tie armies of Sheridan and Early c0nfron e
each other between Winchester and the On,
guam creek, in the following order: The
rebel line extended across the turnpike, GOV
ering Winchester, Breckiulidge's corps il
the center, Rhodes division of Early's corn,
Oh the left, Ramseur's division of Early.
corps on the right, Johnson'5 cavalry Oh the
extreme right, and Fitz Hugh Lees, Lomax's
Imboden's and McCauslands cavalry on the
extreme left, opposing our own. Tie Union
army, the Sixth corps two divisions) Oh the
left, crossing the turnpike, the Nineteenth
corps on the right, the Army of Western Vir-
| ginia on the Opequan in reserve, General
! Wilson's cavalry on the left, Generals Mer.
rtt5 and Averili's cavalry on the right
The cannonaiing, which had continued 50
fercely throughout the forenoon till these
| dispositions were finally established, partially
ceased. A. l rode to a height directly in the
rear Of the Sixth corps, overlooking most of
the field occupied by our infantry, the old
| but infinitely beautiful panorama Of all battle
| fields made still more Impressive by the nat
uraI aspects of this most lovely of valleys,
was spread before and around Seemingly in
circle stood the mountains Of the Cumber-
land aud the Blue Ridge. Unto their bases
faded away stretches of forest, AMI woodland
| and field, dotted by dwellings, and sparkling
with streams, and glowing with the kisses of
approaching autumn. The sunshine was mild,
the breezes we're faint, the leaves scarcely
swayed in their passing, the spires Of Win
chester were silver threads
Beyond the town, and along the pike the
enemy's wagon train, making for the rear,
| meandered like white serpent Nearer
could be seen faint columns Of their line of
battle, moving masses, flashing bayonets and
sabers. Their sharp-shooters and skirmish-
ers were white specks in the cornfelds, were
clustered in groups about barns and houses
and nearer still our own skirmish lines post
ed along the edges of the woods, behind rail
fences, across fields, waiting the signal Still
nearer, directly beneath and around, the
splendid marching columns of our infantry
had debouched from the pike and woods up
on the fields and plateaus; some waiting in
holloWs behind the crest, some forming in
position for an advance. The flags Of the
regiments had proud look, an elastic tread
was in every rank. The 9th corps was all up
and mostly ready. The 10Th corps, ascend
ing the heights to the right opposite the
pike, were slowly wheeling into line. The
levels and holl0ws between the main army
crossed by galloping staff officers and order
lies, carrying and receiving orders Gems
Sheridan, Wright and Emery rode swiftly
with their stats along the lines, looking well
to every point of advantage, upon the ground,
examining with their glasses the position of
the foe, and completing ali dispositions for
an attack. For a moment, on this scene of
beauty and expectation, there stood perfect
calm. For only moment, the musketry and
artillery were still, the smoke wreaths of
our batteries standing silent in air mists as
the skirmish line faded away.
The pickets and sharpshooters along the
vast line of battle took breath. In that mo-
ment, although save the advantage obtained
by Gen. Wilson in the morning (neutrali2ed
and more than neutralized by the delay which
afforded the enemy time to concentrate his
army in the fornoon,) everything was yet to
begin and to be gained. No one who glanc-
ed at the spectacle Of oonfdence and strength,
disposed for miles along the country within
view, could feel his heart throb with serious
doubt.
The signal long expected, was given at last
Gen. Wright, to whom was assigned the com
mand Of the Sixth (his own) and the Nine
teenth corps (Gen. Emory, gave the order to
attack at precisely twenty minutes to twelve.
The Second (Gen. Gctty's( and the Third
Gen. Rickett's) divisions Of the Sixth corps,
Joined in the advance, the First (Gen. Rus
selIS) division being held in reserve The
Nineteenth corps, Including both divisions,
under Gen. Grover and Dwight, advanced en-
tire. The lines, at the signal, were posted, for
the most part in the edges Of woods, through
which the troops advanced giving their fire
to the enemy. For few seconds the CLEAN
ing lines of our bayonets vibratcd, before
they entered the timber and were lost to view
in the shadow Of smoke. The enemy, receiv-
ing a severe and continual volley along his
entire front, gave back at first yOlleys as Sc
we're, but was forced to retire slowly before
the attack. The roar Of battle as the two
lines fairly met became thunderous. The az
tillery opened simultaneously on either side.
The hollow clang of musketry i'll the forest
was like the fierce clangor in the Wilderness
The bombs bursting in the air and the woods
dealt III bursting the havoc, and had in noise,
the horror of the fercest battle fought by
Gen. Grant from the Rapidan to Petersburg
The precision and quickness Of the enemy's
cannonadc was almost alarming. Their guns
posted at first in well-selected overlooking
positions, never knew moments rest
I counted, during the brief interval be-
tween Onr first advance and the crisis which
succeeded it, at least forty shells per minute,
which fell along every portion OF our lines,
and sought in some instances, the pike in the
rear, where portion of the Nineteenth corps
was still advancing to the front, and where
some of our cavalry were lying in wait.
Neither these nor the musketry fire which
met our infantry checked the ardor of our
troops Their fire remained unslackened for
an hour. during which we had driven the en-
envy at some points back nearly half mile.
The determination to win the battle, which
seemed to inspire every man among our army,
urged certain parts of the line along some
what too hastily in advance. Gen. Berges
brigade, attached to Growers division of the
Nineteenth corps, pushed forward so impetu-
ously in the charge as almost to isolate itself
from the division. The enemy ere long per-
ceived the advantage and charged in turn,
threatening the gallant brigade on their flank,
and it was forced to retire. The rebels, still
coming on in overwhelming force at this
point, pushed back and confused another bri-
gade of the division in support, and the en-
tire left of the division subsequently gave
way.
The enemy from battery, hitherto uncov-
cred, opened this time On our flying troops,
following up their advantage. Their shells
decending among the broken columns of
Grover, demoralized and shattered them still
more The entire infantry line of the enemy
recovering its courage at the sight, charged
in turn, pouring in severe and rapid volIeys
o1ard the point of breakage. Their troops
| still advanced at double quick, firing and
filing past, and almost turning the right flank
of the sixth corps, led by General Ricketts,
division, in their pursuit Of Growers infantry
The moment was a fearful one. Such a sight
rarely occurs more than once in any battle as
] was nrasenLed on the omen space between