Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-10-21
MORNING REPORT


NEw YoRK, October 2l.-Ths uerald's
correspondent gives the following account Of
Sheridan's last victory;
1t was moon light, and all around was the
stiffness usual to that hour While this still
ness was prevailing, the enemy had noiseless-
y massed a heavy column Of troops behind
the hill on the southwest side of Cedar creek,
and directly in front of the position occupied
b. our extreme pickets At a given signal,
as we afterwards learned the enemy advanced
rapidly, in sohd columns OF regiments. Our
pickets were charged, some of them captured,
and some driven in, hardly before they had
time to discharge their muskels; in fact, what
lew piekets had come in the enemy came 10
so soon after, and 80 close - them, that it
was near tie which party warned the slum-
berng camp Of the army, of the danger near
at hand. Having driven in or captured our
piokets on the left Of the line of the infantry
the enemy charged across Cedar creek al the
ford, and very soon after on the bridge of said
stream, and reached the side OF the hill and
breastworks occupied by Thirburns division.
of the 9Th army corps Crooks The enemy
hestated not, but pressed on over all barriers,
completely surprising, and in measure STAN
peding, the LETT of Sheridans line. BY this
success, the enemy gained some artillery;
believe the 4th Pennsylvania battery, and
some pieces Of regular battery.
The suddenness of the attack and lis won
derful success for time bewldered the troops
Many Of them we're taken prisoners, bot by
far the greater portion got away, with their
arms. The other division of Crooks corps,
which was allowed some time to form, did so,
and was soon formed in line by the remaining
portion of Thirburn's division,
All this while the enemy kept pressing on,
and pouring in upon our men a rapid and
murderous fre-a fire from musketry as also
from artillery posted upon The hills on the
other side OF Cedar Creek. Having directed
q column against Crooks forces the enemy
quickly turned his attention toward the right
of the pike where the 9th Corps, command
ed by General Emery, was yet in line, and
his artillery at work on short range. At this
time bold charge was made by the enemy,
under cover of his guns, to capture Emery's
artillery In measure this charge was sue
cessful, although il was resisted with great
vigor,s and by fire that would have done credit
to the best of veterans under the most trying
circumstances In the charge the rebels took
oneo two pieces of of the LIST Maine Battery
and believe a 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 DO.
sitiOn on the opposite side Of the creek
As soon as the fght commenced and il was
know that the left had suffered the Sixth Corps
posed from its position Of reserve over 10
where the Eighth Corps was located in the
Of the engagement -r3#
The trains we're got over as speedily as
possible taking the pike road to Winchester
where they arrived in safety. The enemy dis
covering the success of this surprise and be-
lieving that it was now for him only to tri-
advance. BY the way must men.
ton that it was now broad daylight. He brought
his columns aud artillery across Cedar Creek
to press the pursuit with vigOr. While this
was being done brief lull prevailed. Our
line was contracted and commenced slowly
falling back.
The enemy pressed the pursuit rapidly and
with great persstency
General Sheridan was on his way from
Washington back to his headquarters whom
the attack was made ano reached Winchester
the night before the attack and remained
there for consultation. Early in the morn
ing he heard the cannon, He mounted his
horse aud pushed forward to the front On
bis way up he met a string of Of teams going
to the rear accompanied by the usual number
Of wounded and stragglers which proceeded
from a reverse
Pressing onward, he found some considera-
BILE opposition was being made to the exultant
foe. He seemed to comprehend the true state |
Of affairs at glance, and at once proceeded |
10 remedy the evil, recognizing bis forces,
then he seemed more given to a retreat than |
an advance He promptly changed the as
pect Of our military affairs, aud turned the |
Iide Of battle, rapidly growing towards dis.
astrous defeat into q glorious victory The
cavalry was then sent upon the right, the 18th
corps placed next to il, the 9Th corps 10 the
center, and the 9Th corps on the left With
Powells division, which was for a time cut of
IN the left of all A charge Of the enemy
vas resisted, and an advance made unsuo.
lessful
Another Herald correspondent sayG
Our cavalry is now in hot pursuit of the
lying enemy, with our infantry following as
asst as they eau Three rebel Generals are
.nown to be wounded, viz General Ramseur,
rho is prisoner, General Lomax, and an.
ther General whose name am unable to as.
ertain.
Our losses are estimated at 5000 with
captured II is said that Long.
treet lost three-fourihs Of bis artillery.
Another says: Nothing eoHld Withstand
be impetus of Sheridan army. Charge az 4.
er charge wss made with the most brilliant
access We captured 43 pieces Of artillery
nd some 5000 prisoners, aud drove Long.
reefs shattered aud scattered State reserves /.