The New York herald., 1864-09-21

tanned, ranging from 81 70 81 80. Hos active and
decidedly higher ranging from I9c to l6c- The total
ceip were 5,5s7 beeves. lao cows 27s0 vcals 2 osl
sheep and lambs and II, los hogs
General sheridan's victsry-Its Import
ance I'm Reference 60 Rich mond.
General Sheridan's brilliant victory over the
rebel army under General Early, in the shenan-
doah valley, is q telling blow in support of
General Grant below Richmond. The battle
(of which the first information received here
was In the despatch Of the HERALD correspond
cnt in the field, published yesterday morning)
is described by General Sheridan as "a most
stubborn and sanguinary engagement" lasting
"from early in the morning until Eve o'clock
in the evening"" That it was "a most stub
born" conflict is apparent from the sanguinary
results on both sides, and especially in the
heavy losses of the enemy in killed and
wounded. For instance, their loss of four
generals in this battle among the slain is a
greater loss, il we are not mistaken, in generals
killed than either side has suffered in any other
engagement Of the war, not excepting even the
stupendous and terribly destructive three days
struggle at Gettysburg.
In this desperate tenacity with which the
rebels fought for their position, the serious
consequences to their cause Of their complete
defeat are strongly suggested. OF itself the
position which Early held was of no value
whatever; but, having chosen it as a
line Of defence IN which to accept bat
tie, in losing it, after bis disastrous struggle
to maintain it, he loses the Shenandoah valley.
An army, even Of veteran soldiers, defeated and
driven from the field as his he's been, we may
safely say, without some rest, reorganization
and reinforcements, is in no condition to risk
another engagement with the victorious adver-
sary. The badly defeated rebel general must
therefore retire with his shattered columns to
some safe place up the valley, if he can find it,
till reinforced from Rch nond, or abandon all
the intervening country to go to the relief of
Lee. In any event, we dare say that General
Grant has arranged his plans to battle him and
spoil his calculations.
: But here the inquiring reader may ask why
is it that Early, with his twenty-five or thirty
thousand men, has remained 80 long In the
Shenandoah valley, when evidently Lee has
been and is sorely in need of him and his troops
for the defence OF Richmond? We answer that
Early, in the Shenandoah valley, was
charged with very important role in
support Of Lee In the first place, he
was charged with the gathering of the
wheat harvest of the valley for the subsis..
ence of Lees army. In the next place, the
presence Of a rebel column of twenty five or
thirty Thousand men lowering near the Upper
Potomac required at least an equal Union force
to watch its movements. Next, by some sue
cessful trick Of strategy, there was a chance
that the Union force might be decoyed into
snare, cut to pieces, or driven heiter-skelter
back into the defances at Washington. necessi-
tating another call upon General Grant for US.
sistance. Next, by the occupation Of the Bal
timore ano Ohio Railroad Early would mate
rally retard the reinforcement of Grants
lis supplies from that enarter. Next, by stand
ing guard near the outlet of the Shenandoah
valley Early protected Leo on the north and
west, and especially against another hostile
descent upon Lynchburg-an important depot
of supplies to Richmond. Finally, as the raids
OF Early Into Maryland and Pennsylvania had
always yielded the most desirable stores of
plunder he, by lowering near tue border,
might have other opportunities for additional
cap lures Of no rses and cattle, -four and corn,
drugs, dry goods and groceries, hats, boots and
SHOES.
These inducements, objects and necessities
will show that, Notwithstanding the heavy pres
sure upon Lee, his lieutenant. Early, has been
doing good service in the Shenandoah valley,
both in the subsistence and defence Of Rich
mond. Dislodged and put to rout from his
chosen position on the Opequan, an admirable
stream for defensive military purposes, Early
bas sacrificed all the advantages suggested
The Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad is relieved
and will speedily be reopened; the Maryland
and Pennsylvania border is safe now and hence
forth, we doubt not, to the end Of the war;
General Sheridan is pursuing the broken and
demoralized fragments Of the late menacing end
defiant rebel army in his front and on his flank;
and the only question Of DOUBT remaining ls
whether the heels OF Early win serve him bet.
ter than his arms In t-iSl with the Yanke
Sheridan.
1t IS related BY an eye witness that when
General Grant was Of Hsrper's Ferry the other
day, and about to leave, Generals Sheridan
Torbert and Ncrntosl came with the General.
in Chic. to tie train, and ado him an affection
ate goodbv, Sheridan lingering. as the train
moved CT 1T the car window, 20 get the last
words Of advice from bis beloved chieltain.'
The Interpretation " these "k-st words of ad-
vice" is given in Sherrd.n's bulletins of victory
from Winchester, as the prelude TO greater vic
tories soon to come. Clearly Grant is absolute
master of the situation, and we may now look
for the crowning movements OF his armies,
East and West. Surely the end draws nigh.
TIE TRIBJNE AND RADICALS ON MCCLELfay.--
1t Is somewhat amusing to see how the