Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-07

pOScC1oOu
Nothing else would be Such was the pro
gramme.
HOW HAS THE PROGRAMME BEEN CARRIED OUT!
The pursuit" was commenced the 26th
ultimo The cavalry. under Generals Torbet,
Custer Wilson and Merritt. led the way The
artillery followed The solid divisions OF in
fantry in the sixth, eighth and nineteenth corps,
marched steadily after. The pursuit continued
till the 30th ultimo By that time the column
had reached Smithfeld and the Opequan river,
having marched the enormous distance of fifteen
miles from Harper's Ferry in four days. The
weather, however, was not so hot as on their
former march to Strasburg, in which the column
moved at the rate of twenty miles day, and
consequently the men did not suffer so much.
THE END or THE PURSUIT.
The "pursuit" terminated at the Opeauan
river. an inconsderable stream that flows north
ward and empties into the Potomac short dis
lance above the mouth of Antietam creek. On
arriving at Smithield, half way between Har
per's Ferry and Winchester, it was found that it
was not true that the Confederates had moved
southwardly On the contrary. cavalry recon
noisance, made in strong force on the 2Sth, dis
closed the fact that they had moved westward
from Harper's Ferry, but had halted on the west
side OF the Opequan river.
THE BATTLES ON THE OPEQUAN.
Two battles took place here-one on the 2sth
and one on the 29th. Gen. Sheridan had found
the rebels sooner than he expected. but he was
ready to fight them, and he did fight them. These
actions were both fercely contested and our loss
was heavy.
One peculiarly of these fights was, that in
them the cavalry on both sides charged upon
masses of infantry. An officer of the 9th corps
in describing these actions to my informant, says
that our troops behaved with that GOODNESS and
steady courage that always marks the conduct
Of that corps, but that 1t was impossible to
withhold admiration at the gallantry with which
the rebels fought.
THE ENEMY MAINTAINS HIS POSITION.
The result of these engagements was, how
ever, that We failed to dslodge the enemy from
the position he had chosen, and the rebels were
left in the secure occupancy of the left bank of
the Opequan. We did not retreat, but our army
retired to Charlestown Mr. Stanton says it is
there this morning.
ADVANTAGES OF EAELY's PRESENT POSITION.
The position now held by General Early's
forces resembles very much the Confederate po
siton at Mine run last year, from which Meade's
whole army failed 10 disodge them. 1t has the
great advantage, too. Of giving the rebels COM
plete control of the whole valley. and of the i'm
portant turnpike road which, running from Staun-
ton to Hagerstown. passes through Harrisonburg
Woodstock, Strasburg, Winchester and Martins
burg, and crosses the Potomac at Wiliamsport
1t is in every respect far more advantageous po-
sition than that from which Early moved on the
Oath and 25th, near Charlestown, while our army
was at HalltOwn. 1t is not too much to say that
General Early even with only thirty thousand
troops, can maintain himself where he is now as
long as il may be desirable, and that Sheridan
cannot dislodge him therefrom. At the same
time, he can receive renforcements from Rich
mond. either up the Shenandoah Valley or by
the railroads to Warrenton, and thence through
Ashby's gap to Winchester.
THE RAILROADS BETWEEN RICHMOND AND WASH
INGroS
The short sighted policy which the Admins
tration has pursued in regard to the railroads in
Virginia will yet, it is TO be feared, yield bitter
fruit. Months ago | referred 20 this subject,
and early in August pointed out the fact that the
railroad from Gordonsville to Warrenton juno
ton was being repaired, which would give the
rebels direct railroad communication between
their capital and their army operating in the
valley near the Potomac river. If the rebels do
not abandon their contemplated attack on Wash
ington this fall. this railroad will prove most
valuable adjunct to them. As it is, it has been
the means OF transporting uncOunted quantities
of wheat to the granaries of Richmond, and it is
worth more to Gen. Early than reinforcement
of twenty thousand men.
THE REBEL FORCE IN THE VALLEY.
The position of the Administration in regard
to the campaign in the valley is a most humilia
ting one. They have obliged General Grant to
detach from the Army Of the Potomac at least
$4,000 or 40 900 troops. including cavalry which
might otherwise be added to Grants present
force at Petersburg Yet this body OF veterans,
added to the troops under Hunter. Crook. Kelly.
Averill. Wallace and Couch, are absolutely una
bic TO advance twenty miles from Harper's Ferry.
but have to hug the Potomac in order to prevent
Early from crossing that stream, This immeSse
force is actually unable to drive Early's troops
twenty miles from the Potomac river 1t is no
wonder that the Administration should feel
ashamed of this state of things, and should
sort to all sorts OF expedients 10 explain II away
Ii Is the Administration papers that are now try
ing to magnify the rebel force in the valley. 1t
is the Administration papers that now speak of
two diys Ons of FIeckinridge's corps. &c
Breckenridge has no corps He commands a
single division which, il il is full believe it
is, numbers FIVE thousand men; but, if it is not
full. numbers much less than that. There
three brigades in his division, and il was two OF
these brgades before which General Custar's
cavalry brigade was compelled to fall back on
Opequan river, on the 18th. There is no evi-
dence that Early's whole force exceeds thirty
five thousand men. including recent reinforce
ments.
CHAGRIS or THE ADMINISTRATIONS PEOPLE.
The supporters of the Administration here. Il
do not like to call them Union men, because they
aud their party have destroyed the Union,) are
hlled With modification at the evident inability
of Sheridan's army TO drive Esrly out of the
Valley. The American of this afternoon does
not once mention Sheridan's name, nor has it
the slightest mention of his army. The "loyal-
lists. as they delight to call themselves, are verv
uneasy, and begin to grumble at what they call
"the strange mismanagement of affairs on the
Potomac. They cannot complain openly, for
the campaign there is managed in direct accord
ance with Gen. Grants instructions, as approved
by the President. Ii Il only another instance Of
the glazing incompetsncy of the Administration
and its favOrite Generals
sF Providence. Rhode Island. has 2o2 eli
zsns whose property is assessed at $50 600 aud
upwards. Among the number three million
aires, seventeen who are taxed for over halt q
million. and fifty two who are taxed for over
quarter OF million.