Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-09-21

bert and Averill kept up strong picket line
all along the Opequan, and by demonstrating
In force at Burns Ford, kept large portion OF
the enemy at that part OF the neio, wnicn was
where 1t was intended our infantry should OPP
crate and strike the blow which should result
in the signal defeat of Early's army.
The delay in the arrival Of the Nineteenth
Corps enabled Early to move Gordon's Diyi-
sion at q double quick from Bunker Hill, dis.
tant about ten miles, and bring it up in time to
form line Of battle with Breckinridge's, Ram
seurs and Rhodes commands, who had al.
ready arrived and were formed in belt Of
woods skirting the Berryville and winchester
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 IL O'Clock,
and the different lines moved forward.
two hundred Yards before 1t became warmly
engaged with the enemy, VINO were posted In
line about six hundred yards distant; at the
same time our artillery opened q furious can
nonade, throwing shells and solid shot into
the opposite woods, where the enemy could
be distinctly seen moving up reinfor cements.
vance steadily until they had approached with
in nearly two hundred yards OF the enemy's
line, when the rebels opened furious cannon
ade with grape and canister from two bate
ries which they had previously kept secreted,
and which ploughed through our advancing
lines, moving down large numbers Of our
men. The first line was obliged to give way
under go murderous q fire, and in retreating
behind the second line threw it into momen-
tary confusion, and it was also obliged to fall
back behind the third line, which had in the
meantime been ordered to lay down in order to
whitening fire which the enemy's batteries
were directing against our advancing lines.
Our artillery was now brought up and
posted In commanding positions to silence
those batteries Of the enemy which had caused
us so much annoyance, and our line was re-
formed and again moved forward, regaining
the advanced position which they had held
when they were obliged to fall back. But this
success was not gained without the most OBJ
stinate resistance on the part of the enemy.
Having regained the advanced position which
we had previously occupied, the different lines
OF battle were ordered to lay down and await
the arrival OF Crooks corps, which was held
In reserve on the eastern slope of the Opequan.
extreme right Of the line, and in order to
counteract a movement on the part Of the
enemy, who were massing troops on our left
flank with view of turning our right.
Precisely at O'Clock Crook formed on the
right Of the 10Th corps, the LIST division on the
extreme right OF our line, and the I'd division
in rear, supporting division Of the 10th
corps.
General Torbett, with Merritt and Averill's
division OF cavalry, having crossed the Ope-
guam about O'Clock, at Burns and Knoxs
considerable bodies Of the enemys infantry
and cavalry, and having been successful in
steadily driving them before them, now arrived
on our extreme right, and was prepared to take
part in the final struggle which secured us the
victory.
General Sheridan rode out to where General
Torbett was stationed, and after consultation
with him as to the part the cavalry were to
take, ordered the final charge.
The final charge was made with an imp etu-
osity which nothing could resist.
On the line, extending nearly three miles in
length, advanced amid cheers and yells which
could be distinctly heard far above the noise
caused by the thunder Of the artillery and the
IT'S
battle OF this war. Our men had determined
to win the day, and nerved themselves accor.
advanced closer and closer to those of the en-
envy, the battle became more and more fierce,
until, in point OF desperste and fierce carnage,
Will compare favorably with any similar Goa
test Of the war. The slaughter now was truly
awful; at every charge men could be distinctly
seen dropping all around, and two contending
lines at some points could not have been over
Just at this critical period, above the roar OF
artillery and musketry and the cheers and
fiercer yells OF the contending armies, could
airy bugle sounding the sscharge," which was
the death knell to Early's army.
Those who have never witnessed cavalry
charge can form no idea Of its magnificence
nor of the demoralizng effects, when well ex-
ecuted, which 1t has on an enemy. The stub
born columns Of Early's command were forced
to give way and break before the fierce on
slaught which our cavalry made upon them,
cutting them right and left, capturing 721 pri-
Yates and non. commissioned officers, with nine
battle. flags and two guns.
The broken anu demoraliZed divisions com.
prising Earlys command now fled in confu-
sion, throwing away everything which could
in any way impede their flight, and strewing
the ground with their arms. Some made for
the heights beyond winchester, but they were
speedily dislodged by Averill, and forced to
beat hasty and ignominious retreat up the
Valley, where such of Early's command as are
left to him are now scattered.
The people OF winchester all agree In stating
that Early's command is fearfully demoralized,
and speak of his defeat as disgraceful rout,
cally through the streets, throwing away every
thing which would In any way cucumber
them in their flight.
The CITY Hotel, and the adjacent foundries,
together with many Of the private houses at
Winchester, are full Of the rebel wounded, and
1t is estimated that there are at least three thou
sand in Winchester, allowing for those who
were carried away in ambulances, and who
were able to hobble along, 1t will be small es-
innate to place their wounded at four thousand,
and their killed at five hundred, which, with
thousand, will make their loss seven thousand,
five hundred, in numbers equal to one OF their
corps.
It is impossible at the time OF writing this dis
patch to form any correct estimate Of our killed
and wounded, but from the information have
at hand. together with my personal observa-
ton on the battle field, do not think it will
exceed 500 killed and $500 wounded, If 1t
amounts to that number. Surely am correct
in stating that this has been one Of the most
san culinary and decisive battles ofthe war, and
reflects great credit upon General Sheridan,
who was constantly at the front, exposing him.
self to the fire of the enemys sharpshooters, and
personally directing the movements Of our army
All the friends of the colored
III men drafted in the First Ward are invited
to attend maeting at Union Bethel Hall, street,
between 18th and 18th streets Tbs Wedn9esdday,
assist them in procuring substitutes
~ JAMES A. HANDY. Chairman.
] A SIMNS Sec It,