The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-22

command. which was up 10 this time lying in
reserve on the eastern bank Of tho Opequan
creek. General Crook was ordered 10 take UP a
position on the right Of the 10Th Corps, with a
view 60 check an expected attempt Of the enemy
to turn our righthanS, who could be seen massing
his troops on bis left for that purpose. Il was
nearly O'Clock when Crook formed his line on
onr right his second line being In rear Of and
supporting the 10Th Corps.
ARRIVAL or THE CAVALRY.
Ger, raj Torbort ot this iuucture, came up very
OPT orlunely, bringing with him both Averlps
nnd hcrritts Divisions of the Cavalry They
bad been lighting all day along the Opcquan,
after crossing that stream at Burns and kuOX's
FOrds meeting with strong bOdi Of the enemy,
and successfully and steadily driving everything
before them. Their presence was greeted with
great satisfaction, for now we had our entire force
together.
THE GRAND CHARGE.
General Sheridan having become satisfied with
the disposition Of his troops, now gave the signal
for the grand and final charge that brought VIC
tory 10 our arms, and added one more page to
the glorious record Of our gallant army. As the
order was given, our line, now over three miles
long advanced with long.cOntinucd and hearty
cheers the sound of which rose strong and clear
amid the roar and crash Of artillery, aud the
bOarse and continuous rattle Of muSketry. The
charge was made with n headlOng impctuosty
impossible TO resist and it was one that will CONF
spare iayUrably with any Of the famous move
mtuts of @ like character during the war.
Our men seemed animated by sublime feel
ing OF victory already In their grasp. and ad-
yauced with an eagCruess seldom witnessed ia
even such old and wcll-tIied soldiers As our
lines pushed on, and drew nearer and nearer 60
the enCmy's position, the battle ragged still moro
fercCly, and with fury impossible TO describe.
The loss Of life on both sides during those few
fearful moments must have been very great, for
the terrible roar of artillery, and the deep, suleu
crash Of musketry told too plainly Of the carnage
that was in progress. At every YOlley men
could be seen dropping In every direction, and
frequently the opposing lines could not have
been many hundred yards apart.
RETREAT or THE ENEMY.
The shattered and utterly demoralized divisions
that 60 to make up General EGrly's command
now fed in utter rout and confusion, throwing
away in their panic their guns and equipments,
and whatever other WDcdimenta they happened
to have on their persons. Ihcy started In all
directions, pushing for the mountains and Win
chester, others doggcdly giving themselves up as
prisoners. Large numbers of the enemy were
captured by our forces during this disastrous
retreat, and by this means swellcd the heavy list
Of prisoners already in our hands.
TAXING POSSESSION OF WINCHESTER.
AS the head Of our column reached Winchester,
the Union residents, consisting, OF course, mostly
of ladies, came out oyously, and greeted our
victorious soldiers with glad smiles and words Of
warm welcome for the defenders Of the flag
which they now so triumphantly waved over
their heads. You will remember l spoke in a
former letter regarding the Union sentiment
found to be existing in that town, and recOg-
nized everal of that same little club Of loyal
ladies | mentioned at that time among those who
welcomed our army.
They all agreed in saying that General Early's
army is utterly demoralized and routed and that
| his men rushed through with haggard faces and
discouraged looks, some fTantically rushing down
the streets, throwing away everything that would
impede flight and seemingly only bent on safe
and speedy retreat
The Rebel loss cannot he much less than nine
| thousand killed, wounded, and missing, as
General Sheridan has Just sent in TO General Ste
| vcnson, in command at Harpers Ferry, des-
| patch saying that he has taken three thousand
| prisoners, and l know that the wounded now
lying in Winchester will not fall far short of four
| Thousand, besides the large number Of dead now
| on the field, and the immense number of wounded
not yet attended to, will still more swell our
gains.
Among the losses of the enemy they have to
| enumeTate four of their seven division COmman-
| ders as killed. three of whom are maiOr-generdls,
| Rhodes, George Gordon, and Ramseur, the other
| is Bligadier- General Wharton. General Bradley
Johnson is also reported badly wounded.
| Our losses have been very severe, but nothing
| like an approximate figure TO that of the enemy
The total number will not exceed 25OO in killed
| and wounded, no prisoners being lost. Amongst
! our killed stands foremost the gallant old Gene
raj d. A. Russell, fearless soldier and true gen
| tleman. His loss will be severely felt in the go
Tious old corps to which he had 50 long been
attached.
Colonel Elrght, of the l26tb Ohio, Of General
| UptOn's Division Of the 9th Corps (whu was him
self woundcd), was killed-algo another very pro
missing and brave officer, Lieutenant COloue
Brewer, OF the 9TH Michigan, was killed. Owint
to the impossbity Of cleaning anything like NJ
accurate or full list Of casualties whenl iot Win
chester late last night, / am unable TO forwarC
you more than the above.
Costing as it did so many valuable lives, i
must be acknowledged that this battle was one
OF the most determined during the present cam
puign, and while we mourn the loss of the brave
men who thus offered up their lives on the altar o
their country, yet we must rejoice over the sig
nal victory thus achieved over the Rebels in thi
valley, so long their boosted vantage ground
! ~ J. Times.
N9g- NOTICE-AN ADJOURNED MEET