The New York herald., 1864-09-04
THE HERALD DESPATcHE s.
ar. Thcoao-e c. wilson's Dispatcher


IN the neghboghood OF Martinsburg was certainty oon-
Quoted on both sides with unusual degree OF dignity
and common We attacked tho enamy's ontpo5ts
Eor the purpose OF making him "show his hand " which
he did, much to our sateFaction, nGd very promptly
too After tae enemy had shown a heavy force and
was advancing three roads, quietly struck our
fonts (ptched In beautiful held the property Of Mr.
Small), Got the trains in motion the WIliamspcrt
pike, and depoycd in line of bettie high hills
behind MartInshurg If intending to show Gght to e
last and perhaps little beyond that The movement OF
troops both sides could be Observed By
both parties, as each occupied commanding posi-.
tions, with broad, open fields, hol!ows, and the
town OF Mar!insburg between them. IS soon as
the enemy showed a heavy infantry force, eyi.
dently marching in column, we opened fire from
-four pieces OF artillery. Ino accuracy with which we
succeeded in planting our shells among the enemy $
the midst OF them. The enemy, believing purpose to
be to fight it out on this line, it did no. take all
position on high hi directly opposite The ene,ay's
firing not good Mono Of bis shells did any great in
jury. They generally fell snort.
s2IRMIsHIvG AND FLAyfSlSG.
While the artillery was engaged there was rather
heavy skirmishing as the enemy continued to advance
pressing cur. right and centre On the LEFT they
mado but feobe demonstrations. In tho early
part Of the Ugh: portion Of Colonel James
ue and TO charge and take prisoners Hut it was
found impossible TO fully execute our purposes, tho
enemy used infantry entirely in advancing, aud was
enabled TO show longer line than own.
sHs REBEL ADVANCE AND OUR RETIREMENT.
Every time we extended our line SO did the enemy ex
cend his, at times advancing rapidly doubt with
view to accomplishing successful fiaak movement In
pressing forward, the enemys skrish line would cheer
and dash tho fields from fence to another; bnt
IN all instances they made to feel that crowdng
zoo much and TOO rapidly would only cause
regular, dignied advance. Tbeu that the be-
highly interesting. The SOW retiring troops
ns ssnsay S op s the
colors OF each party, and the changing, necessary
any would desire to look upon. The skrmisniag
our left conducted by sqGadrons Of the First,
Second and Third Virginia cavalry Col Powes brgadel
Rnggold battajoa, OF Colonel Sctoomakess brigade.
As have described, so the advance OF tho reoss and
the retirement Of our forces was continued for about
three miles from 1laytnsburg, towards Hainsve and
Falling Waters, when there uli, and afterwards
only light skirmishing In retiring os prison
ers, and property other than no three boxes OF
ammunition and few sacks Of OATS that about be-
ing issued when the attack commenced The rebel
soroe engaged Ayerils division judged to be Cor
don g. aud very likely Ramseurs division OF infantry,
together with vaughns aud Jackson's cavalry brigades
IN bis opera tons the enemy showed but little cavalry
EXCITEMENT AMONG NON COMPLAINTS.
While tho firing Of the ARTILLERY was g.Is i on, cls1sns
carrying small bundles, and others trudeng along with
valses arge enough 10 be mistaken for trunks rushed
maj! coach az a lively rate Of speed, with anxious
passengers inside, and some on top Behind the ccact
as ancient maiden on an antique" horse "tcarug"
along the pike at regular 2+0 rate, her long dress
and bonnet strings flying in the breeze nearly as straight
thc open spaces, finally entered the woods ard that was
the last we saw or her. No doubt the enemy mstoos
OF the skedsddns ciiizens for our men on STAN
leie.
The falling back or the Union forces was in accoriaucs
with Cen Shefldans orders aud plans both Of which the
correspondent would be but too pleased TO communicate
% the loyal Northern reader I !. were possible to 90 80
without al the lime giving the Ike iniormatfn 10
,he disoyal rebel southern soldier.
~ THE wAYsiDE.
Our loss in yesterday engagement was very iighI.
oral nul1 r1n h@pn
Kelley.
strong apprehsDsioDs Of another raid in that direction
TIE lghting at Martnsburg cIaed quite an excitement
a, Hagerstown, but not another stampede.
Just before the rebels came into Matnsburg ye'eraa
train had como General KcEcy, on the raii-
rcai ire loadcd with rations Of forage u got OF sale
BuyKEa nnL, sept. a-P,M
General iycri's division Of cavalry atacseAthc enc
yg luis morning shor. distance south Of Mar.nsbarg
repioly following him up We captured two battle hass
many prisoners, nearly all Of cne train OF wagons,
herd OF cattle aad by -four r. ". came upon Rhodes
division OF rebel Infantry, and engaged II
Our loss far is lighs
Wa wen. 10 within six miles OF Winchester. The en-
gagement has not ended
rIr. Charles III. Farreiis DespEtcnea.
CHARIgsrowS, Va, sept. 2, 1855.
rur POSITION oF GENERAL sHrRIDAa's Array
AZ This place remains unchanged. II Ia encamped IN ~
oi battle in scm.-circle, with both tanks pro'estes
from ncuraiors by tho enemy Tho encampnent OF tn'
scoops was selected for its salubrv and strateecs
advantages end is every thing that could be dee!red
There is abundance of sweet, cool, fresh water 10
man and beast The troops supplied with en- abund
nncc OF good, wholesome provisions New clethn ne
being distributed and tho beet facts OF an arc thai tn
soltcrs arc In exseen, health aud arc now being PAL
o0, six paymas,ers now being indus,rously at wor
,llspcns ng uncle Sans greenbacks.
4Hx lnsAiru or THE TRoors.
In renagd 10 tho health OF tho troops must say tha
no army enjoys better the vsoratiny breezes OF "
heuaudoah valley; and the advantages are fully appF
cia,ed from the general oflccr down 10 the humbie'
private In tho ranks.
TIE ESEay
hc when General sheridan ordered his movement fror
Sseers Ferry TO this place, supposed 10 be 10 ~
retreat or Rlchmood, suddenly appeared on our foi
snd right seemed nnystcricusly appear first in;
mated BY tho affair with General Merritts cavalry 0
Monday last and since that tme by their numerous
eempts 10 draw General sheridan into on engaJ0mel
why Trey have not succeeded their wishes do az
ur, pose say but can simpiy,dd that there Is ,nre
told reason Why 40 should not The enemy do q
harm 10 my body where they are, but cay adding
.,hair own incouvenences 4 move for them in an
direction is their sure destruction.
4a GENERAL snHupAS
exhibits all tho ncrye skill energy and tenacity OK pul
pose hs mentor eensr rons no Ho
seconded by the gallant Crock through whose oiior
Western Virgaia has been cleared OF Wais0rs) ana
other generals.
IHs REBEL prgGye
The information resolved OF the enemy's designs
shcir present camlalgn down the valley IS that ~ wa
with solo dcsisn TO repeat the same programme INST
tued ~ General Early IN July lastviz: the invasicn
cernsylv aud Maryland with this addition, that %
is iaons was TO bs applied as tner army progressed
No farmhouse, barn corn crib be spared raj
country 10 DO devastated To do this required lars
frrce ana this force what rebel prisoners declar
General Early has at his command II tho thinf
/ have enumeratei were In tho cnemy's pr
Grammo there must have been wonierit
in,esposing ovent that has prevented its consunmi
ston. ana caused change OF Plan Possibly margit