Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-23
MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION.

Heavy Fighting sunday and Monday-The
Rebels are X epulsed-They Design Cross
ing the Potomac RIver-The Sixth Corps
in the Fisht-Darkness Ends the Con.
test-Our Loss is Very Slight-Sheridan
in Strong Position.
Correspondence Philadelphia Inquirer.1
HARPRR's FERRY, August22, noon-Yester-
day was an eventful day, and although not
marked by what can be strictly termed gen.
eral engagement, yet the events were of such
nature as to indicate a full solution of the sit
uation in very few hours.
When daylight broke on Sunday (21st) our
forces were substantially disposed as follows:
southwest, the 9th corps holding the right,
with its right on the Winchester and Charles.
town pike about a mile and a half from the
latter place. Next, and in the center extending
across the dirt road to Summit Point, was the
forces Of MAJOR General Crook, and on the left
the 10Th army corps, Major General Emory,
with its left covering the Charlestown and
Berryville pike, about midway between the
two places. In front OF this line was our SUI
perb cavalry division of General Wilson, COM
prising the brigades of Macintosh and Chap
tablshed at Opequan creek, and Merritts
division, consisting Of Clusters, Devin's, Low
ellis and the reserve brigades being at Berry
vile, with picket line joining Wilson's on
was on our extreme right, covering the ap-
proaches from Martinsburg, and Averill, with
his command, still remained at Shepherds
town, as l have mentioned In previous dis.
patches, watching the fords OF the Potomac.
Such being the position we occupied,
glance at the map will show that Gen. Sheri.
offensive or defensive operations as circum-
stances might dictate.
The enemy about nine a. m, made simul-
taneous attack on General Merritt and Wilson,
following up and driving in our pickets with
q dash of quickness unusual, even with them.
They manifestly expected to surprise our lines
and stampede our cavalry. In this tneY were
grievously disappointed
The attack on Merritt was with cavalry ana
several light field pieces, and on Wilson by
nortion Of Breckinridge's corps, with four
pieces OF artilley. Merritt and Wilson stood
nm to the work with that steadiness anq Vigor
| that has made our cavalry werld-famous, only
retiring in obedience to orders, sngges1eo oy
| tactical considerations, and in no wise COM
pelled to do SO by any pressure OF Inc enemy
On our front. Gradually. however, during tne
| day, our cavalry did fall back at their own
| Ieisure keeping the enemy all tne time In
thorough check and at respectful distance.
| At about the same hour that the enemy At
| tackled our cavalry lines they presses GOWN
the direct Winchester road. and MADE an onset
an the right of the 9th corps, Russell's vision
Hare the fight was fierce and long contested
and being between infantry and artillery on
both sides, partook more OF e.. .ne cnaf sessr o.
66nder the able management of such officers Al
| Wright, Russell, Getty and Ricketts,, stood up
unflinchingly to the work in hand; and the en-
| erny, Notwithstanding his furious charges
Jailed to make any impression on our line
Whatever during the afternoon. In fact, "!
| pressed back tn cir line of battle on our right
and when night fell and suspended the contest
/ our right had swung forward slightly In al
vance of the position occupied In the oegmninl
- tits impossible to estimate the losses Wit
any degree Of accuracy at this moment VI al
| fhst can learn at this moment, the burden
tha loss fell upon the Sixth Corps, who's
E,iled and wounded will approximate thre
hundred. .,,.h !. -, =,
Tine losses in our cavalry wers slight no
vitnstsnding their severe hghting, but ha '
heard no estimate.