Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-10-21
FROM SHERIDAN.
He Occupies Observation-Disclosures
with the Enemy-Wanton Restruc-
ton of Property i'm Luray Valley.

New YORK, Oct. 2O.-The Herald's cor
respondent with Sheridan, dating the 18th,
writes: Gen. Sheridan has his troops well
in hand on the northwest bank of Cedar
creek, the rebels having fallen back to Fish
ers Hill, in the rear of Strasburg, which
town is now occupied by our skirmishers.
Residents of Strasburg say that OH Wednes-
day night last larger force of rebels pass
ed through that town than they had ever
Seen before. This doubtless gave rise to the
report that Longstreet had been heavily re-
inforced with both infantry and artillery
At Gen. Sheridan's headquarters it is not
believed that they have received any in
fantry reinforcements, but the large num-
ber of cannon recently captured by Gen.
Sheridan renders the latter part of the re-
port very probable.
To-day our skirmish line was again ad-
vanced, and the rebels fell slowly back after
exchanging few shots with our advanced
guard. The whole command, notwithstand-
ing their fatiguing marches, are in excel
lent spirits and health, and anxious to fight
again.
Another correspondent of the 18th says:
On the right of our army line Gen. Custar,
this morning, soon after daylight, made a
reconnaissance of the enemy's position and
strength, by advancing three regiments
across Cedar creek at Cupp's Mill, near the
back road close to the North Mountain, and
after pressing forward for about two miles
and half it was ascertained to certainty
that the rebels had fallen back for a con-
siderable distance during the previous night.
On the way out we skirmished with small
parties of the enemy's mounted forces, but
met with no determined, serious opposition.
We also passed place where it was evident
there had been camp during the early part
of the evening of the day before.
The Herald's Front Royal correspondent,
18th, says: The line of communication be-
tween General Sheridan's headquarters and
Augur, whose headquarters are on the line
of the Manassas Gap railroad, is open with
out molestation or interruption. The open
ing and the keeping open of the Manassas
Gap railroad line, the rebels look upon as a
greater victory than any victory attained
by the army of the Shenandoah Valley. The
importance of what we have gained in the
respect mentioned, cannot be explained to
the public, and hence the people at home
cannot well appreciate its magnitude. Time
will develope the whole.
The Secretary of War has issued an or
der thanking Gen. Sheridan, his officers and
soldiers, for their brilliant victories.
The Herald correspondent gives the fol-
lowing particulars of Col. Powell's cavalry
raid in the Luray Valley:
Their first adventure was with guerrilla
rendezvous, where they surprised the guard
and captured the army wagons. The stores
captured were valued at $1,000. At Luray
all the barns were destroyed, and while in
the act Union soldier was seized by citi-
zens and murdered by cutting his throat
Subsequently two of Mosby's men were
captured and shot to death in retaliation.
The same day Government tannery was
destroyed, in which was $S5O0O worth of
leather, and $500 worth of stock was seized.
From Newmarket to Woodville the country
was laid waste, as also in the circuit to
Madison Court House and Little Washing
ton, back to Luray. Thence the command
proceeded to Front Royal, where all the
barns for four miles and their contents
were destroyed.
On the route Col. Powell heard that Nc
Causland, with cavalry, was near, and he
gave chase, but being encumbered with a
heavy train, could not overtake him.
At Sandy Hook the fine residence and
barns of Jas. Chancellor, one of Mosby's
guerrillas, were destroyed. Chancellor had
murdered a Union soldier few days pre-
vious.
The result of the expedition was the cap
ture of 6,500 head of cattle, 500 horses, the
destruction of 80 Touring mills, 30 distiller-
les, blast furnaces and upwards of 80 barns.