New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-21

tents were all struck and packed IN wagons. lh'
different divisions were all under arms, prepared
to move at a moments notice, and remained IN
this state for about an hour, when tho order came
TO 60 into camp again for the night ard every thing
remained perfectly quiet. About o'clock orders
were received from Sheridan for tho 9Th and lotA
Corps TO be ready To start at 3 o'clock, and the
Army of Western Virginia, under Crook, at the
following morning. the order Of march TO be as fol-
lows: the 9th Corps to move out Oh the Winchester
and Berry yillcpikc sndmove IN two parallel columns
on both sides of the road with the artillery, snmnni-
ton and supply trains on tho road the 18th Corpsto
follow on the Same road and in similar order; the
Army of Western Virginia, under Crook, to move
from It's camping ground in the vicinity of Summit
Point and, striking across the country in sonth-
westerly direction, was ordered 70 form junction
at the crossing of the Opequon, on the Benyvilie
and Winchester Pike; and shorty after O'Clock
Wilson's Division of Cavalry crossed the Opequan
at the Bcryyillc and Winchester Pike Moving
bis command rapidly along the road driving in the
enemy's skirmish line, he calamity charged the
enemy field works with the first brigade, and ear
RED them at the point of the saber, capturing thirty
prisoners. In this charge Col Brinton, 18th Penn
Sylvan 'hNtlis WIS "iIAaii ~" '''' VI
the enemy WORK, while CALAMITY leading his regi-
mcnt
These field works were constructed by the Rebels
10 guard the ford .. the Opequan, and prevent our
passage at that point 1t will be seen how sigaally
they failed to accomplish the object for which they
were constructed.
Our cavalry having secured safe passage for the
infantry, tho Sixth Corps moved .cross the
Opequan and along the pike toward Winchester,
leaving is train in park the opposite side of the
stream, 10 poin, about mile and a bal; distant
from the ford whore il formed in line Of battle, and
threw out strong skirmish line. At the same time
the artillery opened on the woods, into which tho
eucmys infantry had retired, and kept up an in
cessaIt cannonaac the enemy replying briskly with
parts If two batteries
There Wa. delay Of at least two hours, caused
by the non-arriya the 18th Corps who, through
msconoeption Of orders, had failed to come up at
the proper tine. Gen. Emery had moved his col
umn TO the rear Of the baggage-tran OF the 9th
Corps, instead Of keeping his command closed up
in TIE rear OF the advancing columns Of the 9th
Corps.
Gen. Sheridan having learned on Sunday tina,
the main portion OF Earlys forces were oncamped
in the vicinity Of Bunker Hill ard stcphensons
Depot, resolved TO mass his forces the Winchos
ter and Berryyille pike, and by rapid movement
hurl them on EaTy's rear There is no doubt but
the enemy were completely surprised and out
unanswered BY Shendan.
While his different. columns were being marched
to the appointed place OF rendezvous, portion of
our cavalry, under Gems ToTbelt and Ayerii, kept
up strong line along the Opequan, and by demon
strating in force at Burns ford kept largo portion
of the enemy at that part of the field, which wus
nearly twelve miles distant from the point whore it
was intended our infantry should operate and
strike blow which should result in the signal de-
feat Of Early's army
The delay in the arrival Of the 10Th Corps enabled
Early to move Gordon's Division at the double
quick from Bunker Hill, distant about ten miles,
aud bring il up in time 10 form in line Of battle
with Brcckinridgcs, Rsmseur's, and Rhodes scom-
mands who lad already arrived, and were formed
in belt OF woods skiIng Bcnyvilc and Winehes-
Ter.
| As soon rs The 10Th Corps arrived, II was formed
in four lines OF battle about 300 yards apart, on the
rirht Of the 9Th Corps and everything being IN
readiness tho advance was sounded ct about T.
O'Clock. and the different lines moved forward.
! The two Corps advanced in splendid style, and
Just rs composedly as though marching at review
or on parade, drums beating and coors flying, pre-
scniing such an imposing spectacle as has seldom
been Witnessed in the present In fact some of
the oldest ana most cYpcrcpceds staff officers present
declared they had never before witnessed 30 truly
grand spectacle.
The first line had not advanced more than two
hundred yards before it became warmly engaged
with the enemy, who were posted In line about six
hundred yalds distant. At the same time our artil-
ley orencd furious cannonadc throwing shells
and solid sho, into the opposite woods, where the
enemy could be distinctly seen moving upreinfoTce-
Mouts.
our different lines Of battle continued to advance
steadily until within nearly two hundred yards Of
The encmys line when the Rebels opened furious
caDuonade with grape ind canister from two bat
teies which they had previously kept secrctcd, and
which ploughed through our advancing lines, now
ing down large numbers Of our men.
The first line was obliged 10 give way under 10
Iardcrous fire. and in retrcating behind the second
line threw il into momcntary confusion, and it also
was obliged to fall back behind the third line, which
rad IN the meantime been ordered 10 lie down, in
order TO avoid "a much possible the effects Of the
whitening fire which the eneiny's batteries were d.
rccting against our advancing lines.
The artillery was now brought mp and posted in
commanding positions 10 silence those batteries Of