The Shasta courier., 1864-09-24


Darkesville. Gen. Sheridan learning of the
movement, ordered his whole command to
break camp and prepare to march. Accord.
iy at . O'Clock on Sunday tents were all
struck and army prepared to move at a mo-
ment's netIce. Al 9 o'clock orders were re-
ceived from Sheridan for the 9th and l9th
corps to be ready u start, and also the Army
OF Western Virginia, under Crook. Follow
ing morping shortly after 5 o'clock, Wilson's
division II esvalry crossed Occoquan, on ber-
ryvliie ana Winchester pike Showing his
comm&Ta Fapidi7 eisng. and driving enc
my sairiassii lins BE 1sliantly charged the
ener44 hall works s irst brigade, and
CARED tacm .15 lie nesn of the sabre, cap
turing 81 prisoners Iaese field works were
c1astrus.e9 u guard ford at Uccoquan and
pFegaB5 sa7 basssst ID that point. Our cav
airy having secured a safe passage tor infan-
5rs tie 5ia e9sps moved across Occoquan,
sld along pike towards Winchester, to point
saiies from ford. when they formed line
1 battle and threw out strong skIrmish line.
At the same time artillery opened on woods
nto which enemy's infantry had retired, and
Kept up incessent cannonade, the enemy re
plying briskly with parts of two batteries
There was a delay of two hours caused by
the non-arrval of 10Th Corps. which, through
proper time Sheridan having learned on
Sunday that the main body of Earlys forces
had encamped in the vicinity of Bunker Hill
and Stevenson's Depot resolved to move mis-
forces on Winchester and Berryville Pixies.
and by rapid movements to hurl them on
Early's rear. There is no doubt but the en-
eny was completely surprised and outnum
beredIby Sheridan, while his sdiferent columns
were being moved to the appointed place of
rendezvous, a portion of our cavalry under
Torbett and Averill kept up strong picket
line Opaque, and by demonstrating force at
Burns ford, kept large portion of the ene-
my at that part of the field, which is twelve
miles distant from the point entended that
our infantry should operate and strike a blow
which should result in a signal defeat Of
Earlv's army. The delay of the 10Th Corps
enabled Early to move Gordons division at
double quick from Bunker Hill, distance of
ten miles, and brought it up in time to form
a line of battle with Breckenridge and Rain
er's commands, which had already arrived
and formed in belt of woods skirting Berry
vile and Winchester Pike. As soon as the
10Th Corps arrived four lines of battle was
formed, three hundred yards apart, OH the
right of the 9th Corps. Everything being in
readiness, the advance was sounded at noon.
Two Corps advanced in splendid style and
composedly as though on parade. The first
line had not advanced more than 200 Yards
before it became warmly engaged with the
enemy, who were posted in line, 600 yards
distant At the same time our artillery
commenced furious cannonade, throwing
shells and solid shot into the opposite woods
where the enemy could be distinctly seen
moving up the rail road reinforcing.
Our different lines of battle continued to
advance steadily until 200 yards of enemy's
| line, when rebels opened furious cannonade
with grape and canister from two batteries
they had previously, kept secreted, and which
plowed through our lines, moving down
large number of our men. First line obliged
to give way under murderous fire and in re,
treating behind I'd line threw into momen-
tarv confusion, and that was also obliged to
fall back behind Sd line, which had mean
time been ordered to lie down in order to
avoid as much as possible withering fire which
enemv's batteries were directing against our
lines. Our artillery was now brought up and
posted in commanding positions to silence
batteries of enemy, which caused us somuch
annoyance. Our line reformed again and
moving forward, regaining advanced position
which we held when we were obliged to fall
back.
But this success was not gained without
most obstinate resistance on part of enemy
Gen. Sheridan had previously ridden along
lines, and was received everywhere with
greatest enthusiasm. and when thev advanced
it was Wa us Terrible determination to do
or die 8aTiue reclaimed the advanced po
siti1a nreYioasle api / different lines of
bat Te- crae lie down to await
Gross tea gs aeld in reserve on
en- fe Crook ordered up
on TiT1M re. in order to coun-
| ter ne op ari of enemy, who were
m 5ts flank with a view of
tura 4rs reselv at 3 o. clock he
!craei 1a th corps. Gen. Crook
having armo3 W rode along his line
a. ferrous cheers the men
ana wipe out Winchester
5an r vita Merritt's and AverilPs
ds aayairy. having crossed Occoquan
a5 % eiaok, and Burns and Knox fords.
as been hard at work all day fighting con-
rlble bodies of enemy's infantry and
aEalrv. having been successful in steadily
driving them before him, now arrived on our
extreme right, and prepared to take his
( place in the final struggle which secured US
/ the victory.
General Sheridan rode out to where Torbett
was stationed, and after consultation with
him as to The part the cavalry was to take,
/ ordered a final charge. which was made with
an impetuosity which nothing could resist.
Our line. extending nearly three miles in
length, advanced amid cheers and yells WHICH
could be distinctly heard above the noise of
artillery and musketry. As our lines ad-
vanced closer and closer to those of the enc
my the battle became more and more fierce
and the slaughter was awful. AT every dis
charge men could be distinctly seen dropping
all around, and the too contending lines, at
some points, could not have been over two
hundred yards apart. just at this critical
period, above the roar of the artillery and
musketry and the cheers and the fierce wells
of the contending armies, could be distinctly
heard the shrill notes Of the cavalry bugle,
sounding the charge, which was the death
knell to Early's army. There could be seen
the gallant Custer and Merritt, each with b,s
headquarters flag in hand. conspieuous
amongst the advancing squadrons and gallant
ly leading the charge, which in connection
with the desperate courage of our infantry
secured us the victory. The columns of Far.
ly's command were forced to give away and
break before the fierce onslaught of our cav
airy upon them, who. with saber in hand
rode them down, cutting them right and left
and capturing 120 privates and non commits
stoned othcers. with nine battle flags and two