The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-01
THE LATE BATTLE INTHE VALLEY.
The Richmond Dispatch gives the following ac-
count of the affair 10 the Valley the 10Th Octo-


The Richmond Dispatch gives the following ac-
count of the affair u the Valley on the 10Th Octo-
Der: 4
Our attack in the morning was vigorous; our sue
cess brilliant and entire, our troops capturing
about fifteen hundred prisoners, one Thousand tour
hundred and twenty nine of which have reached
Richmond, and four hundred are on the way here.
We took eighteen pieces of cannon and about
twenty ambuances. AT four o'clock in the
afternoon the enemy made stand and hostities
ceased for about an hour. The enemy then made
sudden attack, which, being unlocked for by our
troops, (many of whom had by this time begun to
straggle was successful, and a retreat was ordered.
This attack of the enemy is now supposed to
have been made only to cover further retreat, as
the main body of the Federal army did not follow,
and had we resisted with halt the usual determin-
alton the result would have been different. Gene
raj Early fell slowly back, recrossed Cedar creek
and marched through StIasburg in the direction of
Fishers Hill. By some unaccountable mistake or
oversight, the artillery, both our own aud that cap
tured from the enemy, was in the rear Of the army.
Hence the loss
When just outside of StrasLurg, about o'clock
at night, it being very dark very small party of
Yankee cavalry, supposed be accommodating,
mot over hundred men, taking a by-road and
coming out on the turnpike at mill situated on a
creek running into Cedar creek about a mile from
Strasburg dashed upon the train, and rode along
the line Of ambulances firing their pistols aud
deling the ambulaEces to turn out. DIR. Mcclure,
who had charge of them, seeing what had taken
place, turned off some twenty into the woods, and
thus saved them. The troops who guarded the
train, knowing the efficiency Of the Federal cavai-
ry in the Valley, and having Wholesome fear of
the same, and supposfEg that the attack was gen.
eral one, fed precipitately, and the few Yankee
cavalry quietly turned round the whole train and
drove it over Cedar creek within the Federal lines
One Of our officers endeavored to rally twenty
five men, saying that he could recapture the whole
train; but he failed in his purpose. The whole
thing was dsgracefuf aud inexcusable The Fed
eral loss 10 the mornings fight was over six chou
sand. They themselves acknowledge a loss of FIVE
thousand. Our loss in killed, wounded and miss
ing, will not reach thousand men all told. Our
net loss in cannon was twenty, six ordnance way
ons and twenty -hAe ambuiances. Sheridahs Off
cia dispatches about vigorous attack and dashiug
pursuit are all lies The enemy were too badly
crippled to attack vigorously pursue to any adj
vantage.
The Richmond Enquirer Of Wednesday last
say>:
The news from Eariy's command, on Yesterday,
represents that he men more well in hand,
and on the march, in good spirits aud detcrplined
to obliterate the disgrace which accdently 6efell
Them on the l9th.-Sheridans crippled army has
fallen back certainly towards Winchester Ru-
mors were current in Staunton, Of successful raid
on the enenys trains, by Mosby and Rosser.
These, however, need confirmation. All that our
army, in this department, now needs, is some de-
termined commander to keep up their inspiration,
now that they are moro invigorated to dceos
of valor. Would that Longstrcet had been with
them on the 10Th.