Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-01


Of Gen Sheridan the Shenandoah Valley gives the fol-
developed the fact that Gen. Early still in the valley
with large rebel army:
THE MOVEMENT.
At seven O'Clock on the morning Of tbs 2lst the three
cavalry divisions of Gen. 6herdans army moved. Gems
Powell and Devn the latter commanding the 6st cavalry
division Gen. Merritts absence were at the time en-
camped on the Winchester and Front Royal pike this
side of Nineveh Gen. Custer held position the Mid
die road and the line from the infantry to the North
Mountain.
moved simultaneously the country for Newton,
where they met and continued their march up the valley
on the valley pike Gen Custer taking the advance. At
the tins that Custer and Powell moving as
Royal crossing both branches Of the Shenandoah and
continuing up the Luray Valley.
The column moving in the Shenandoah Valley reached
Woodstock at hafpast five o'clock on the evening of the
2lst Here it bivOuacked for the night. The day had
been rainy and night came on piercing cold wind set
In causing the men to suffer to more than ordinary do
gree Only three Of the enemy's scouts were found in
town, and these scampered of the approach of our
advance. During the night the town and Immediately
surrounding neighborhood presented very brilliant APP
pearsnce The blazing fires 10 town and out Of it, and the
red and white lights in front of the respective command
ing officers headquarters gave the whole scene the APP
pearance OF an Illumination
THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY.
We found the enemys mounted videttes Narrow Pas
sage Creek just north OF EdinburR The enemys picket
line portion Of Wckhams brigade, of Gen Rossers
division and found the line Of Stony creek This
picket line attempted to show some resistance to our ad
vance, but was very quickly driven in By depoyed de-
tachment Of the 21st New York Ga entering the town
could ascertain nothing definite of the enemys where
abouts or strength. The reports given by the citizens
were conflicting in their character and generally proved
to be unfounded.
Soon after we force Of two rebel regiments,
the 81 and 4h Virgins, drawn up n line rise Of
ground just beyond Hawkinsvle This is small place.
EAsnL,u IanH
Tbbets brigade at ordered forward, whereupon
three regiments Of the brgade-the 9th New York. 9Th
Ohio and the l4th and drove the
rebels from their position The chase after them
wild and eXclliog One Gen. Torbert, who commanded
the whole movement chief Of cavalry Several prison.
ers were taken, from whom and from other
learned that KershaWs division had Friday last left
Earys army moving southwark and that Early had been
reinforced to the extent OF the number of taken away
by Kershaw from various rebel commands c0ncen-
trated but heretofore scattered In different parts of the
Confederacy
On arriving at Mount Jackson we learned that heavy
force OF the enemy was upon our right and the whole OF
Earys army not far in advance being this side of
New Market Our object being to ascertain if this was
really we continued to 60 forward Nothing more i'm
portant than diminishing occurred until got directly
front of Roods Hill In order that the reader
readily comprehend what about to relate in regard to
the battle then and there fought is necessary odescrbe
the hill and surrounding neghboIhood The HILL from the
side of approach is high ridge OF open land On the
right the north fork of The Shenandoah river the
left Peaked Ridge, mountain. In front CT the hill is
open plain. The plain is extensive On this side
OF the plain the Shenandoah river the pike There
s ford at the pike crossing just this side of the
river range Of hills Standing upon the hills on this
side it is easy observe any and all movements made not
only upon the open plain but also upon the untmbered
Rood's Hill opposite.
Roods Hill is considered the next strongest position to
Fishers Hill in the valley The object in keeping rebel
force at this point is to prevent going through the
country along The line of Gap Creek and thence to Luray
and also on to Milford and Front Royal On arriving at
the high hills in front of the plain halted to reconnore
the enemys position the opposite side The rebels at
first only displayed cavalry drawn up in line with strong
skrmsh line in 'front.' the whole principally to the right of
the pike.
FEELING THE ENEMY-A FIGHT.
Gen. Powell coming up. Gen. Tibbetts was ordered to
cross the river and 60 across the plain he did and
than his own. Tbbett moved within six hundred yards
of the enemys first line without opening fire. All these
movements and all the subsequent were viewed by
the enemy and by all Generals Gen. Earlys Gag was
in plain sight Rood's Hill, while Gen. Torberts flag
could plainly be in it, place the hills this side
of the plain. Noticing that the enemy was developing
heavy line of infantry Gen Powell advanced to the sup
the two brgades forming the plain preparatory to
charge Col. Pennington's brigade of Gen. Clusters
division sent to occupy position high hill to the
right of the pike this side of the section of
Capt Ransoms battery c. Sd UntedStates artillery got
into position and opened fire just the cavalry corps
band commenced playing and several distinguished officers
congregated close by to view the impending engagement
Some twenty minutes taken by Gen Powell in form
ing his division to make the charge
BY the time he ready the enemy had developed two
lines Of infantry with strong skrmish line In 'front.' and
sent his cavalry the Shenandoah river and moved
under of thick woods to flank right. The pro-
per time arriving and all being ready, Poweps entire dvi
sion charged As it did the enemy opened fire from
two sections Of artillery and his infantry and cavalry and
besides, commenced advancing Our were so close
that several Of the enemy shells burst in formed nes
but strange to relate, did not do any remarkable injury
As the enemy continued to advance down the hill we had
plain view OF at least fifteen thousand infantry and dvi
sion of cavalry The enemy made several attempts
to charge and turn the right flank OF the troops on
the plain but In each attempt met and checked with
promptitude. All of sudden fire was opened from the
woods by the rebel cavalry that side Gen. Custer at
once comprehended what up and ordered Col PEN
At this time Gen. Chapmans brigade held 10 reserve
to support the artillery and protected the ambulance and
headquarter trains On the right Of PowePs line In the
of the general CHARGE brigade had over
ploughed fed. The heaviest part Of the fighting
right when at time the enemy the west side of
the Shenandoah got 10 fire those the plain
Quite rapid and heavy firing both sides commenced and
continued for long time afterwards Our re.
pulsed every charge Of the enemys cavalry right
both sides of the river.
EARLY's STRENoTH-opR FORCES RETIRE
Having now gained our point, and developed the enc
mys strength in full commenced slowly TO retire on
the eft-tbe right Of line scattering and diminishing
heavily and then advancing in three lines At time our
position any thing but safe one fact had the enc
been driven back by the daring OF men,
CAphsrts brigade recrossed the river frat in excellent
order Tbbetts brigade followed The men Of his br
gade skmshed TO the very last minute and kept the
from approaching them too rapidly for the safety of