Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-10-28

destroyed train of freight cars on the
Nashville Il Northwestern Railroad,
running from Nashville to townsville.
Gen. StOneman has been exchanged,
and has arrived at Atlanta.
Gems. Blair, Craft and Smith were
among yesterdays arrivals at the Gait
House.
New YORK, Oct. 21.-The Hcrdld's
correspondent gives the following ac-
count of Sheridan's last victory:
1T was moonlight and all around was
the stiffness usual to the hour. While
this stiffness was prevailing, the enemy
had nOiseless!y nasscd a heavy column
of troops behind the hills OH the south
west side of Cedar Creek and directly in
front of the position occupied by our eX-
treme pickets. AT given signal, as we
afterwards learned, the enemy advanced
rapidly in solid columns of regiments
Our pickets were charged, some OF them
captured, and some driven in hardly
before they had time to discharge their
muskets. In fact what few pickets did
come in were so closely followed by the
enemy that it was !: question which
party warned the slumbering camp OF
the army of the danger near at hand
Having slrjyen or captured our pickets
on the left OF the line of the infantry
the enemy charged across Cedar Greek
at the ford, and very soon after on the
bridge over the same stream, and reach
ed the side Of the hill and breastworks
occupied by ThOrburn's division of the
sth Crooks corps; The rebels hesita-
ted not, but pressed on over all barriers,
completely surprising, and in measure
stampeding, the left of Sheridan's line.
BY this success the rebels gained some
artillery-I believe the 4th Pennsylvania
battery and some pieces of regular bat
terry. The suddenness Of the attack and
les wonderful success for short time
bewildered the troops, many Of whom
were taken prisoners, but by far the
greater portion got away and with their
arms. The other division of Crook s
corps, which was allowed some time to
form, did SO, and was formed in line by
the remaining portions of ThOrburn' s
division. All this while the enemy
kept pressing on and pouring in upon
our men rapid and murderOus fire-a
fire from musketry, as also artillery post
ed upon the hills on the opposite side of
Cedar Creek. Having directed acolumn
against Crooks forces, the enemy quick
ly turned his attention toward the right
of the pike, where the 18th corps CGen.
Emery's command) was gotten in line
and his artillery set to work at short
range. At this time a bold charge was
made by the enemy, under cover of his
guns, to capture Emery's artillery. In
a measure this charge was successful
although it was resisted with great Wig
or and by fire that would have done
credit to the best OF veterans under the
most trying circumstances.
In the charge the rebels took one or
wOpieces OF the lst Maine battery, and
| believe Il portion OF the Chase battery.
What most helped the rebels was the
exact range which they got OF our pieces
the ones captured from the elevated
commanding position on the opposite
side OF the creek.
AS soon as the fight commenced and
it was known that tie left had suffered.
tie 9th corps passed from its position Of
reserve over to Wber. the Sth corps was
located in tie commencement Of the en-
gageHient. The trains, too, were got
out IL, speedily as possible, taking the
pike road to Winchester, where they ar
rived in safety.
The enemy discovering the success of
his surprise usd believing that it was
now only ior !lil 10 triumph, eXuiting-
ly advanced (and, by the way I must
mention that il was iIow broad daylight)
and brought his columns and artillery
across Cedar Creek to press the pursuit
with vigor. While this was being done,
during a brief lull which prevailed, our
line was contracted and commenced
slowly falling back. The enemy press
ed the pursuit rapidly and with great
persistency.
General Sheridan was on his way from
w q ], m ntn .,uai- 4C Il,
when the attack was made. He reached
Winchester the night before the attack,
and remained there for consultation.-
Early in the morning he heard the can
non, mounted his horse and pushed for
ward to the front. On his way up he
met string of teams going to the rear,
by the usual number of
wounded and stragglers which proceeds
from a reverse. Pressing onward he
found some considerable opposition was
being made tQ the eXultant foe. He
seemed to comprehend the true state of
affairs at a glance and at once proceeded
to remedy the evil, reOrganiZing his
forces, then seemingly more given to a
retreat than an advance. He promptly
changed the aspect OF our military at
fairs, and turned the tide of battle, SO
rapidly growing towards disastrous
defeat, into glorious victory.
The cavalry was then sent upon the
Fight, the 9th corps placed next to it, the
3th corps in the center, and the 9th corps
On the left with Powell division, which
was for a time cut off on the left of all,
and charge resisted and an advance
made successfully.
Another Herald IS correspondent says
our cavalry is now in hot pursuit OF the |
lying rebels, with our infantry follow !
ng as fast as they can.
Three rebel Generals are known to be |
viz: Gen. Ramsey, who is a
prisoner, Lomax, and another General |
whose name l am unable to ascertain.-l
our losses are estimated at 5000.
Prisoners captured say that Longstreet |
ost three -fourths of his artillery. Ano-
her says nothing could withstand the
of Sheridan's army.
Charge after charge was made with |
he most brilliant success. We captured
3 pieces OF artillery and 5000 prisoners,
md drove Longstreet's shattered and
catered State reserves far up the val
ey.
The rebel attack was induced by NOV
ng the 9Th corps to Front Royal, caus-
ne the rebels to believe they were be-
ng sent back to Grant. By the timely
apture of dispatch from Longstreet
0 Early, Sheridan was informed that
he latter would have reinforcements
as the dispatch said, to crush
Sheridan out of the valley.
Sheridan had first organized his cav
Try for grand expedition, but on re-
eipt of this dispatch, retained them
low fortunate this was is now seen.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,
Jet. 21.-The following kilograms, con-
aiming further particulars Of the battle
f Cedar Creek, were received here this
norning;
Ceaar Creek, Va, 11.3O q. M, Oct. 90
lieut.. Gen. Grant, City Point: We
ave again been favored by great vic
Dry, won from disaster by the gallantry (
our officers and men.
The attack ON the enemy Nas ~ aae at