The Portland daily press., 1864-09-21
BY TELEGRAPH
TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
OFFICIAL NEWS DISPATCH.
Gen. Sheridan's Victory!
The Enemy's Loss $500.
COMPLETE DECENTRALIZATION OF
EARLi'S COMMAND.
OFFICIAL NEWS DISPATCH.
WAR DEPARTMENT.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, Sept 20-9 p. IN.
TO MYor. Gen Dir The following Is the
latest Intelligence received from Gen. Sheri
dan:
Harper's Ferry, Sept 20A-s p. Mo
Hon T.. Nj. stanton, Sec'y OF Wharf.-The body
OF Gen. Russell has arrived As soon as il is
emoaimed 1t will be forwarded tie New York.
zen. Mclntosh, with his leg amputated, has
just come and is in good spirits
several officers report the number Of pris.
oners to be in excess OF 5000.
The number of battle flags captured was
fifteen, instead of nine.
All concur that 1t was complete route.
Our cavalry started in pursuit at daylight
this morning.
Sheridan when last heard from was at
Kearnstown.
A scout forwards this morning ample medi.
cal supplies. Full subsistence Tor the entire
army goes forward.
II you do not hear from me after, it will be
because OF the distance we are from the scene
OF action aud because l only send you such
information as deem reliable.
tSignedl JoHS ID. STEVENSON,
Brigader. General.
The President has appointed Gen. Sheridan
brlgadier In the regular army and assigned
him to the prominent command of the middle
military division.
Gen. Grant has ordered the army to FIRE a
salute OF 100 guns at o'clock this morning,
In honor of Sheridans great victory.
A dispatch just received from Gen. Sher-
man at Atlanta, says:-Every thing continues
well with us.
The reports of to-day show that the draft is
proceeding quietly in all the States. In most
OF the districts vigorous efforts are being made
TO oil their quotas by volunteers before the
drafted men are mustered in.
tSisned1 L. NJ. STANTON,
Secretary OF War.
BALTIMORE, Sept. 20.
The Americans account of the battle is
partially as follows:
Gen. Sheridan having learned on Sunday
that the main portion of Elrly's forces were
encamped in the vicinity of Bunker Hill and
Siephenson's depot. resolved to mass his forces
on the Berryyille and Winchester pike, aud a
rapid movement hurl them on Early's rear.
There Is no doubt but that the enemy were
completely surprised aud out-maDnavered by
Sheridan. While his different columns were
being marched to the appointed place of rem
devious, portion OF our cavalry, under Gems
Torpett and Averill, kept up a strong picket
lice along the Opequan, and by demonstrating
in force at Brownsiord kept large portion OF
the enemy at that part OF the field, which was
nearly twelve miles distant from the front
where 1t was intended that orr infantry should
operate and strike blow which should result
in the signal defeat OF Early's army. The
delay in the arrival of the 10Th corps enabled
Early to move Gordons division at double
quick from Bunker Hill, distant about ten
mics, and bring ii UP in time to form in line I
OF battle with Breckinridge's, Rznseur's and
Rhodes' commands, which had already ar |
rived and we've formed 10 belt of woods |
sklrting Berryvile and Winchester. As soon
as the 10Th corps arrived 1t was formed in four |
lines OF battle about three hundred yards apart
on the right OF the 9Th corps, and everything I
being IN readiness the advance was sounded /
at about IL O'Clock. The I'd corps advanced |
In splendid style, with drums beating and col /
ors lying, presenting an imposing spectacle +
lie first line had not advanced more than 200 4
yards before IL became warmly engaged with 4
tue enemy, who were posted in line about COO 4
yards distant AT the same time our artillery
opened furious cannonade, throwing shells I
aud solid shot iuio the opposite wood where
The enemy could be seen moving up reinforce
nelts. Oar different lines of battle continued
TO advance steadily uatil wiihin nearly 200
yards o; the enemys line, when the rebels
opened furious cannonade with grape and
canister from two batteries which thew had
kept secTcted, and which 6sloashed through
our advancing lines, moving down large mum
bers OF our men, The first line WIS obliged
TO give way under SO mal derous fire. and In
erecting behind the second limo threw it into
confusion. and il also was obliged
10 tall back behind the third line, which had
la the meantime been ordered to lie down in
order 10 avoid as much as possible the effects
Oh the whitening tire which the emmy was d.
against cur advancing lines. The artillery
was now brought up to silence these batteries
Of the enemy which had caused SO much an
noyance, and our line reformed and again
moved forward, regainin the advanced posi-
don which they held when Obliged 10 fall back
But tiils success was not gained without the
most obstinate resistance OF the enemy. Gen
previously rode along the line and
was received everywhere BY the men with the
greatest enthusiasm. Having gained ihs adj
vanced position which we previously occupied,
The different lines OF battle were ordered to
lie down and await the arrival of Crooks
eorrs, which was held In reserve on the east
side of the opequan. They were ordered up
TO position on the extreme right of our line
In order to oounteraet movement on the part
Of the enemy, who was massing troops on
thelr LETT Hank with view of turning our /
right.
Precisely at three O'Clock Gen. Crook form
ed on the right u the 9th corps, his first d. |
vision on the extreme right OF our line and !
his second division in the rear supporting a |
division Of the 10Th corps, Gen. Crook hav- /
Ing formed his men, rode along the lines and /
was received with yiciferous cheering. the |
men promising to wipe out Winchester.
Gen. Torbe,t, with Merits aud Averilps d. |
visions Of cavalry, having crossed The Ope-
guam about nine O'Clock, at iiurns, aud Knox- /
lord had been hard at work all day lighting
considerable bodies of the enemy's Infantry |
and cavalry and having been successful In |
steadily driving them, now arrived on the ex-
IRENE right and was prepared 10 take part in
lac final struggle which secured the victory. |
Gen. Sheridan rode out to where Gen. Tor.
bett was station, and after consultation with
him as to what part the cavalry we're TO take,
ordered the final charge. which was made with
an Importantly which nothing could resist
Our line, extending nearly three miles. adj
vanced amid cheers and yells that could be
distinctly heard far above tho noise caused
by the thunder of the artillery aud the contin-
uous roar OF musketry. As our lines advanc-
ed closer and closer TO the enemy the battle
became more and more desperate and the
fierce carnage will compare with any similar
contest OF the war. The slaught was now
truly awful. At every discharge men would
be seen dropping all around. just at this
critical period, above the roar of artillar, and
other sounds OF battle, was heard the cavalry
bugles sounding the charge which WIS the
death knei OF Early's army.
TIE columns OF Earlys command were
forced TO give way and break before the fierce
onslaught our cavalry made on them, who,
with sabre in hand. rode them down, cutting
then right and left, capturing T2i privates
and non-eommissioned officers with nine bat
tie flags aud two guns The broken aud de-
moralized enemy fed in confusion, throwing
away everything which could in any way i'm
pede their flight, and strewing the ground
with their arms. Some made for the heighths
beyond Winchester, but they were speedily
dislodged By Averill and forced to beat hasty
and ignominious retreat up the valley, where