The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-09-30

dered to lie down and wait the arrival Of
Genel al Crooks corps, which was held in
reserve on the eastern SIDE of the Opequan.
They we're ordered up to take position on
the extreme right of our line, and in order
to countsract a movement on the part Of
the enemy, who were massing troops on
their left flank wish view of turning our
right Precisely at three o'clock General
Crook formed on the right of the 10Th
corps, his LIST division on the extreme
right of our line, and the 81 division in
the rear, supporting division OF the 18th
Corps. General Crook having formed his
men, rode alorg the lines, and was re-
ceved with mos. vociferous cheering, the
men promising TO 60 in aud wipe out Win
chester.
General Torbett, with Merritt's and
Averil's divisions of cavalry, having eros
sed the Ope9uan about nine O'Clock, at
Burns and knox's fords, had been hard
at work all day fighting considerable bod
les of the enemy's Infantry and cavalry,
end having been successful in steadily
driving them before them, now arrived on
our extreme right. and was prepared TO
take part in the final struggle which Sc
| cured US the victory.
General Sheridan rode out to where
| General Torbett was stationed, and after
consultation with him as to the part the
cavalry were TO take, ordered the tifal
charge, which was made With an impetu-
osi,y which nothing could resist. Our
line, EXCEEDING nearly three miles in
length, advanced amid cheers and yel>
which could be distinctly heard above the
noise Of artillery and musketry, which, for
its impetuosily, has seldom been exceeded
IN any ballle of this war Onr men had
determnen to win the day, ana Eerved
themselves accordingly for the coming
struggle, and as our lines advanced closer
and closer 10 those of the enemy, the bat
tie became more and more fierce. The
slaughter now was awful. At every dis
charge men could be seen distinctly drop
ping all around, and The two coutendlne
lines at some points could not have beer
over two hundred yards apart, Just Al
this critical period, above the rear of ar
tillery, muskelry, cheers, and the fierce
yells Of the coDtending armies could be
distinctly heard the slriil notes Of the cav
airy buge, sounding the charge, which
was the death kneI to Early's army
There could be seen the gallant Cus,a
and Merritt, each with the headquarter
flag in hand, and conspicous amongst tn
advancing squadrons, gaIlan'ly leading tn
charge which, in connection with the des
perate courage Of our infantry, secured u
the victory the columns of Eariy's com
man1 were forced to give way and brea
before the fierce onslaught which our ca,
airy made upon them, who, with sabre i
hand, rode them down, cutting them rigl
and left, capturing 721 privates and nor
commissioned officers, with nine battl
flags and two guns.
The broken and demoraized division
comprising tarly's command now fled i
confusion, throwing away rytbn
which could in any way impede the
flight, and stre~ing the ground with the
arms. Some made for the heights beyon
) Winchester, but they were speedily di
logged by AverIl and forced to beat a ha;
~ and lgnomiuons retreat up The vale,
where such Of karIy's command As ar
left him are now scattered.