Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-09-24


my's infantry and cavalry, and having been
successful in steadily driving them before
them, now arrived on our extreme right
and were prepared to take part in the final
struggle which secured us the victory.
General Sheridan rode out to where Gen.
Turburt was stationed; and after cUnsulta-
ton with him as to the part the cavalry
were to take, ordered II final charge, which
was made with an impetuosily which moth
ing could resist.
Our line, extending nearly three miles in
length, advanced amid cheering and yells,
which could be distinctly heard far above
the noise made by the thunder Of artillery
and continuous roar Of musketry, which for
impetuosity has seldom been exceeded in any
battle of this war.
Our men had determined to win the day
and nerved themselves accordingly for the
coming struggle, and as our lines advanced
closer and closer to those of the enemy, the
bnttle became more and more fierce, until in
point of desperate and fierce carnage it
would compare favorably with any similar
contest of this war The slaughter now
was truly awful, and at every discharge
men were distinctly seen to drop all around,
and the two contending lines at some points
could not have beer over two hundred yards
apart.
Just ut this critical period, above the roar
of artillery and musketry, and the cheers
| and fierce yels of the contending armies,
could &c distintly heard the shrill notes of
cavalry buglcs sounding charge, which
was the death kne.l of Early's army. here
could be see the gallant Custer and Merritt,
each with his headquarters flag in hand,
and conspicuous among the advancing
| squaGrons, galantly leading his charge,
| which, in connection with the desperate
courage displayed by our infantry, secured
us the victory.
All honor to these gallant chiefs who
| have done 60 nooly.
Those who have never witnessed n cavalry
charge can form no idea of its magniicence
not of its demoralizing effect, when well ex
ecuted upon an enemy.
The stubborn columns of Early's command
were forced to give way and break befo7,
tue fierce onslaught which our cavalry mad,
upon them, who, with saber in hand, rode
them down, cutting them right and left
capturing seven hundred and twenty -ont
privates and non ncommissoned officers, will
nine battle-tlags and two guns. The broker
and demoraliZed divisions comprising Ear
ing away everything which could in any
way impede their flight, and strewing tn
ground with their arms.
Some made for the heights beyond Win
chester, but they were speedily dislodged b.
Averill, and forced to beat u hasty and il
nominous retreat up the valley, where sucl
of Early's command US are left him are nov
scattered
Our victory was a glorious one, and on
well calculated to shrill the heart of ever,
loyal man with impulses of sincere JOY, bu
1t has been well remarked, that every jO
has its attending amount of SORROW" anC
ours was for the gallant dead and wounded
who poured out their liie's blood freely
that this great and iniquitous rebellion
should be put down.
Amongst the killed regret to announc
the gallant Russell, of the FIRST Division
Corps, Il commander as ihultless as it Wa
possible for a man to be. Brave unto rasl
ress, he fell at the post of honor at the hea
of his division while leading charge.
General Mcintosh, commanding the FirS
Brigade Third Cavalry Division, was wounC
ed by pistol ball in the leg, which nece,
STATED amputatoin. He is now doing vcr
well.
) General Upton, commanding division {
the Sixth Corps, was also wounded, but NJ
dangerously.
OF the tiaId and line officers | have bee
J able to collect few names who were kille
and wounded.
! Amongst them are Colonel Babcocl
| Seveuty-tif1h New York, wounded.
} Colonel Z. Bright, Onehundred- -anC
} twenty-siSth Ohio, Third Division. Sixt
, Corps, killed.
Captain Wright of General Devin's stat
killed.
= Captain Rodcnbaugh, Second Unite
States Cavalry, wounded in the arm.
t Captain McQucstion, Second United Statt
t Cavalry, Aid to General Merritt, killed.
f Major Nandenburg, Fourteenth New Je
l sey. Third Division Sixth Corps, killed.
t Major Dillingham;, Tenth Vermont, Thir
| Division Sixth Corps, killed.
1t is impossible at the time of writin
! this dispatch to form any correct cstima
S of our killed and wounded, but from inform
/ tion at hand together with personal obscrv
4 ton on the field, do not think it will e
: ceed 500 killed and $500 wounded, if
/ amounts to that number
r Surely an correct in stating that tn
/. has been one of the most sanguinary al
4 deci sive battles of the war, and reflect gre,
Y credit on Sheridan, who was constantly
| the font, exposing himselfto the fire of Il
. enemy's sharp-shooters, and personally {
= recting the movements ofour army.
1