The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-12
SHERIDAN'S ARMY.

HEADQUARTERS, FIsUER's HUI, SEENAN.
DoAH VALLEY, October ., evouiug-rhe bril-
liant achievements OF our cavalry to-day have
crowned General Sheridau's victories in the
valley. General Clusters and Merritt's Divisions
of General Torberts Cavalry Corps have defeated
and driven the enemy over twenty miles Of
ground to- day, capturing eleven guns, four clis.
sons, forty seven wagons and ambuLlnces, and
about four hundred prisoners, and herd Of
cattle.
The enemy, defeated and demoralized, is once
more in full retreat up the valley. In his recent
triumphant trip up the Shenandoah, General
ShtTiCan did not pause in his pursnit of Etry
until he had driven him completely from the
valley. Sheridan had gone so FIR that the SUBJ
sistance for his army had to be hauled in wagons
distance Of almost hundred miles. Hlvng
defeated Early, and upset the Rebel plans for
wintellng an army in the valley, Sheridan com
meuced retiring nearer his sources of supplies
On his way he destroyed what remained OF the
harvest of the valley.
Waving fields of yellow grain have been made
perfect waste, and oyerburdened barns burned
to the ground. Many mills and barns have boon
burned within the last lew days. Almost every
thing save private houses has been destroyed.
The inhabitants, loyal and dsiOyal, have little 90
subsist upon. They anticipate u good deal of
misoTy during the approaching winter. Some who
have heretofore enjoyed every luxury, are now
by the memorable demands Of war, compelled to
beg their bread
Sheridan's policy practically illustrates tho i'm.
pOrtant principle that private interests must be
subserylent to public good. Many families have
followed our army down the valley, some gOing
TO their friends northward, and some coming
simply 10 obtain subsistence. This has been
rendered necessary by the fact that c0mpara-
lively speaking, the smiling valley of Virginia is
now desert for ninety miles
When Sheridan commenced his rstrOgrlde
movement down the valley the enemy mani
tested 0isuDEitiOn To fDllnw- ADthiDw m onra
than a few Rebel cavalry appeared lowering
about our rearguard until Yesterday wnon a
large force, under the Rebel General ROsser, was
found following US down the JnguGudJlh. Its-
terday, when Merritl's Division was coming do gn
the turnpike, the enemy audaCiously attempted
an attack. The engagement took place near
Crabills Mill, on small mountain stream known
as Toms brook
The cannon of the opposing parties was posted
on the surrounding hills. A spirited artillery
duel formed prominent feature in the operations
OF the day. The reverberations of the guns were
heard among the mountains until evening. Custer
had some skirmishing further to the loft After
an interesting little fight, the enemy was every
where handsomely repulsed. The enemy, how
ever, bivouacked last night not far from where
the fight closed last evening.
This morning General Sheridan, having halted
the principal portion of his command ia the
vicinity OF Fishers Hill, instructed General Tor
bert 70 attack the enemy and drive him away from
such close proximity to our rear. Torbert went
the letter and the spirit of the order. Accord
ngly Clusters and MerTitt's Divisions made a
vigorous assault op the enemy at an early hour
this morning.
On the right, Merritt's Division occupied posi-.
tion near the Toms creek, the Winchester turn
pike, about midway between StrasbuTg and Wood
stock and on the left, Clusters Division occupied
a position near the same stream, on the back
road, about two miles closer to the mountains
Custer advanced first with his cavalry aud horse
artillery. lie made bold attack, and drove the
enemy back about a mile TO a strong position on
the brook. There the euemy made a determined
stand.
The Rebels were advastageously posted on
commanding hill. Barricades and brGastworks
OF rails and stones contributed considerably to
strengthen position which was naturally for.
midable. General Custer, however, threw in his
whole command, made three magnificent charges
and az last carried the position by assault.
AT the same time Junction was formed with
General Merritt on the turnpike. Sharp skirmish-
ing in the front did not seem 10 indicate ANYTHING
decisive until Deyns' Brigade succeeded in strik-
ing the enemy on the flank. This produced con-
stenation in the Rebel ranks in Merrtt's 'front.'
The whole division line then pushed forward and
followed the enemy, who was now in full retreat
The retreat was soon turned into perfect rout.
Custer and Merritt pursued the flying fugitiYes,
capturing guns, cRissons, wagons, q herd Of
cattle, and several hundred prisoners. Among
the wagons captured are several ammunition
wagons, and those containing the baggage be-
longing 10 the Rebel Generals WickhRm and
LOmaX's headquarters. Some Of the cannon
were new 3-inch rihed guns, just from the
foundry in Richmond, Prisoners say that this
was the first occasion on which those guns had
been used in the Rebel service.
The enemy was driven in great disorder
through Woodstock, through Edenburg, and
through Mount Jactson--a distance Of more
than twenty miles from the scene Of the com
mencement of this mornings operations.
The Rebel General lomaX had a very narrow
escape from capture. One of our caYarymen
was chasing two Rebel officers, who were riding
side by side.
When he reached the officer who wore the
brighter uniform, naturally suppOsing him to be
the more important parsonage, his horse was so
much exhausted in the chase that he could not
catch the other officer IL WAS subsequently
ascertaned that he had captured CAPTAIN Of
artillery, and that the companion of the captain
who made his flight edectual was the Rebel
General LomaX.
General Merritt was in hot pursuit Of another
gun, the only one which the enemy seemed 20
have remaining. A thousand dollars were offered
for the gun, but il was not captured
The operations Of to-day have been Of the most
brilliant character. This evening the troops are
exultnnt over the victory, and the bands are dis
cOursing patriotic and inspiring music.
Guerillas continue 20 inteSt the country; but
il is believed that no organized Rebel forces will
have the temerty TO show themselves while
General Sheridan is In the Yaliey.-N. " Hera9