Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-09-26

checked and forced back; but again they
would rally up the hillsides, and more than
recover their lost ground.
In this position of things the scene, as
viewed from an emiuence, was beyond de-
scriptiop. To the inexperienced eye it
seemed folly and madness for our troops
to attempt 10 gain the rebel position. But
our troops struggled nobly. The regimen
tai colors were gayly floating in the breeze,
and when the men would falter the rally
ing cry would be, "Do not desert the Stars
and Stripes p
As stated before, the Nineteenth corps
had been roughly handled; defeat to them
seemed inevitable. General Sheridan then
gave orders to General Crook, command
ing the Army of West Virginia, which up
to this time had been held in reserve on
the east side of the Opequan, to advance
and take the position then occupied by
the Nineteenth corps.
At this iuncture the day did not seem in
our favor. For hours our army had made
| little or no progress. A flank movement
was deliberated, and it was finally con-
| cluded that this must be made from the
right, from the position lately occupied by
the Nineteenth corps, which was sent to
the rear. Colonel Duval went into the
battle with the assurance that a decision
of the battle depended upon him, and that
he must turn and carry the enemy's right
or all was lost Right gallautIy did he
perform his work. His men dashed down
| to the creek, amid a shower of shot and
she'll that splashed the water into our
mems faces 80 as to almost blind them.
The water in some places was armpit deep,
but this did not deter our men from cross
ing. Thus in a few minutes the veterans
of West Virginia gained point that an
! other portion could not achieve in several
hours. The Second division of Crooks
troops, commanded by Col. Thoburn, soon
formed on the left of Col. Duval's COM
mand, sending the remainder of the Nine
teenth corps to the rear.
The troops on the right of our lines
fought under great difficulties, the nature of
the ground not permitting the employment
of artillery until the enemy showed signs
of weakness, which eliminated iu forcing
them from their position. Before this was
effected the enemy had to be driven from
farm houses, barns, stone walls and earth
works. No less than eighteen pieces of
rebel artillery were employed against Col
| Duval's single division, and yet our troops
| forced the rebels back. As soon as Crooks
corps gaiued the first liue of the enemy's
works. and threatened the enemys left
fl INK, things began to brighten up. Col. Du-
val ordered q charge, and from the time the
bugle sounded Forward" the enemy were
forced to fight in retreat, and did not stop
until they dad retired one mile. They were
chased through cornfelds, woods and over
bills, until they reformed TO make another
stand.
On the other points of the lines the fight
ing was desperate. The success of Col.
Duval on the right seemed the key of sue
cess to all, as the Sixth corps aud cavalry
were advancing aud crOHdIng the euemy IN
splendid style.
Our artillery at this time got 10 full play.
While our troops were crossing from hIli
to hill in the advance our guns would cover
the movement. The artillery FIRE was ra-
pid and deatening at times. Our guns
were fired by battery, shotted with grape
and canister, while the enemy's artillery
seemed not less rapid or destructive.
After Col. Duval had driven the enemy
he was joined on his right by Gen. AverilI's
cavalry, which had come from Martinsburg,
which protected the flank of our intantry's
right. Col Duval ordered another charge,
and, supported by Averill, the troops
pushed on with an impetuosity never before
excelled. The enemy did their best to re-
sist our advance. Their artillery moved
down, so to speak, men and horses; but
all this did not overawe our veteran troops.
Onward they went, until they cleared the
| irregular hills from which they had whip
ped the enemy from base to summit, aud
until the town of Winchester was in full
view.
The Sixth corps, under General Wright
kept up its crowding, and was whipping
the enemy at all points, until it was appa-
rent that the enemy we're lighting in re.
treat with the view of saving their artil
lery and organization. The enemy were
finally forced out into the open groHnd,
about three miles from Winchester on a
plain about three miles wide and cores
bonding depth. The enemy made their final
stand. they massed their artillery in the
open field, while our army showed piece tor
piece to them. For time there was a lull
on both sides as they arranged their lines.
This lull was only temporary, when both
sides opened fire with great fury. Here
was a scene worthy of the best artist in the
world. When the fighting was resumed
there was cavalry fighting cavalry, and ar
tillery againt artillery; but the superior
generalship of General Sheridan brought
victory, and at five O'Clock P. NJ, twelve
hours from the time our cavalry commenc-
ed to skirmish with the enemy, the latter
were beaten at all points, leaving in our
possession the field, two thousand prison.
ers-among these are one hundred and
fifty oficers-fve thousand stand OF arms,
eleven battle flags, ten or twelve pieces OF
artillery, Sc.
The rebels were pursued through the
streets of Winchester, where they made
several attempts to rally, but to no effect
The streets were strewn with rebel arms
and knapsacks. -
The rebels lost in killed among their
geuearI officers Generals Rhodes, Goodwin
and Lomax; and several others wounded.
Major Harry Gilmor was wounded in two
places, but made his escape. The Second
Virginia infantry, of the original Stone
wall brigade, was captured nearly entire
and their battle flag tell into our posses