Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-09-28


ed by rebels. The trains consisted Of hundred
wagons laden with supplies for Fort Smith, six hun
dred mules, forty artillery horses and two suffers
trains. Stanton in dispatch to Dix, states tina:
the draft is progressing quietly in all the loyal States
and Washington. Both of Lnclns private Secrets-
ries are drafted. Grant returned to the army he.
fore Petersburg on Monday Gold closed al 223
The Herald of the, goth has been received
War news unimportant
Five days later European news. The peace
rumors produced uneasiness in the London Stock
Exchange. On the 5th consuls declined half per
cent |
The Isabella arrived and brought the new minister
FROM Mexico. Friendly speeches we're nterchanged
1t is said the Emperor Of Austria has recognized
the Kingdom of Italy.
Napoleon's health is failing.
Financial demands on Denmark have caused delay
in the Dano- Germanic negotiations.
Battle of Winchester.
The following is the Baltimore Anssrican's &C.
count Of the fight, as furnished by a correspon-
dent who dates from Winchester, September IL, 4
9p.m.:
Sheridan having learned on Sunday that the
main portion of Early's forces we're encamped in
the vicinity of Bunker Hill and Stephenson's
Depot resolved to mass his forces on the Winches.
| ter and Berryyille pike, and by rapid movement
hurl them on Early's rear No doubt but the
enemy were completely surprised and outmanoeu-
vred by Gen. Sheridan.
I Whilst his different columns were being marched
to the appointed place of rendezvous, portion Of
the cavalry under Torbert and Averill kept up a
strong picket line along the Opequan, and by de-
monstrating in force at Burns Ford, kept large
| portion of the enemy at that part of the field,
which was twelve miles distant from the point
where it was intended our infantry should operate
| and strike the blow which should result in the
signal defeat Of Early's army.
Delay in the arrival of the 10Th corps, enabled
! Early to move G6rdOn's division at double quick
! from Bunker Hill, distant about ten miles, and
bring it up in time to form in line of battle with
Breckinridge's, Ransoms and Rodes' commands,
| who had already arrived and were formed in a
belt Of woods skirtng the Berryville and Winches-
| ter pike.
As soon as the Nineteenth Corps arrived it was
formed in four lines of battle about three hundred
yards apart on the right of the Sixth Corps, and
| everything being in readiness the advance was
sounded at about twelve o'clock, and the different
| lines moved forward. The two corps advanced in
| splendid style, ard just composedly as though
! marching ats review or parade, drums beating and
colors flying presenting such an imposing spectacle
| as has seldom been witnessed in the present war.
| In fact some Of the oldest and most experienced
staff officers present declared they had never before
witnessed so truly grand spectacle.
| The first line had not advanced more than two
| hundred yards before it became warmly engaged
with the enemy, who were posted in line about six
| hundred yards distant. At the same time our ar
tillery opened furious cannonade throwing shells
and solid shot into the opposite woods, where the
enemy could be distinctly seen moving up reinforce
/ ments. -
Our different lines of battle continued to advance
steadily until they had approached within nearly
| two hundred yards of the enemys line, when the
| rebels opened furious cannonade with grape and
canister from two batteries which they had previ-
! ously kept secreted and which ploughed through
our advancing lines moving down a large number
| of our men.
The first line was obliged to give way under so
murderous fire, and in retreating. beyon the Sc
| cend line threw it into momentsry confusion, and
it was also obliged to fall back behind the third
| line. which had in the meantime been Obliged to
Law down in order to avoid much as possible the
effects of the whitening lire which the enemys bat
teries were directing against our advancing lines.
Our artillery was now brought up and posted in
commanding positions to silence these batteries of
the enemy which caused so much annoyance, and
onr line was reformed and again moved forward,
I regafning the advanced position, woich they had
when they were obliged to fall back. But this sue
cess was not gained without most obstinate ress.
lance on the part Of the enemy.
Having regained the advanced position which we
had previously occupied the different lines Of bat
tie were ordered to lay down and wait the arrival
of Crooks corps, which held in reserve on the
eastern side of the Opequan. They were ordered
nm to take position the extreme right of the line,
| in order to counteract movement on the part Of
the enemy, who we're massing troops on their LETT
flank. with view of turning our right
Precisely at o'clock, Crook formed on the right
Of the Nineteenth Corps the first division the ex.
IRENE right of our line, and the second division in
the rear, supporting division Of the Nineteenth
corps General Crook having formed his men, rode
along The lines, and was received with the most
vocierous cheering, the men promising to go in
and wipe out Winchester"
General Torbert, with Merritt and AverilFs Dr.
vision of Cavalry, having crossed the Opequan
sbon..a o'clock. at Burns and Knox's Fords, had
been hard at work all day, fighting considerable
bodies Of the ensmy's infantry and cavalry, and
| having been successful in steadily driving them
before them now arrived on our extreme right, and
were prepated to take part in the final Struggle
| which secured US the victory.
General Sheridan rode out to where General Tor
bert was stationed and after consultation with him
40 to the mart the cavalry were to take, ordered
final chatee, which was made with III impetuos,ty
which nothing could resist
l. Our line. extending nearly three miles in length
advanced amid cheers and yelIs which could be dis
| tincty heard far above .tae noise made by the
thunder of artillery ard continuous roar Of DGsket
ry, which for im9stuousity has seldom been sx
cerded-in any battle Of this war. ..'
! Ouf men BaO oetstipinou " wan s0S ~ s
nerved themselves accordingly for the cosaEs stfu
Gle, and as our lines advanced closer and closer -
those Of the enemy, the battle becase more and
more fierce until in point Of desperate, and herce
cAsnsge it would compare favorsbly ~ith any sim .
lsr contest Of this war. The Slaughter now was
truly swful, and at every discharge men were dis
tiucty seen todrop all around sad the two contend
ing lines at some points csnld not have been over
two hundred j ards apart :.
just at thy, critical period, ahase tho roar Of n.
tillery and mnsketry and the cheers and fierce ysls
of the conten'iing ARMIES eou Oe distinctly heard
tn. shrill notes Of caxazy hgleA sounding. charge