The New York herald., 1864-09-23
xHE BATTLE OF THE 0PE0UAH.
lls. O. H. FArreiiss Despatch.

WINCHESTER, Va, Sept %, 1894
- battle Of The Opeanan on The 18th instant, will
slsnd the critical ordeal Of being recorded history
~ Of the best fought battles OF ,he present for
sep displayed tenacty Of purpose and real herosm
bean sides but with the feather weight balancing the
opjss Of war In favor II easy victory Ihe
~ q battle seemed several times during the battle
- against us until the Commanding General said the
Asssion Of the battle depended the skin and
saergy OF officer who ordered TO execute
, Sank movement al the risk OF great sacrifice
- men. The movement Was brilliantly executed, and
~ day savedl rhs movement tha. brough, the
baeagemeut not has been erroneously stated
sasioned by movement Of rebel troops from " in
chester TO Nartinsburg, indeed TO any position OF
oerers Early. Our army moved in accordance with full
nd definite orders from General Gran, up and
lake possession Of the valley OF the Shenandoah and to
sbnierate and dsperse the rebe army wherever it
lsriaily neerred with iu possession Of
snnmuncaiiop.
Our army previous 10 the battle was encamped In
irregular line, the rish, resting the summit Point and
Chsrlestown road, n-d extending 10 serryville al
shs intersection of the Winchester and Bsrryve pike.
Ac ground occupied by limos CT rolling charac
ssr, alternating between woods corn6eds, whestneids
end pasturagc The main body well concealed from
ssbel view, and little attempt made to inireDoh
~ fortfy the camp, Our picket lines siroog, and
vsl commanded by artillery and strong guards in
6cr 70 guard against suddes attacks sorties The
aemy's pickets within few hundred yards OF
sRrs and at points they were within conversa-
uDpnl distance Picket 0rng either side quite
sars except change Of guards or upon antici
pa,sd hostile demonstration.
On sunday, previous TO the nght, the orders TO get
ready 60 issued by General Sheridan TO
~ various corps commanders and they W turn to their
subordinate generals. The order 10 proceed in light
sshpg condition. all sailers and army wagons return
- hsrper's Ferry No wagons were allowed except the
smnunition and hospital ,raius. Tue cavalry corps,
sasor Major General Torbe consisting OF the First
8rd divisions under the respective Commands OF Gene
rsis Merritt ana Wilson moved TO their position before
aAylight on Monday morning. portion OF THE force
nevsd up short distance 10 the 6eds both sides of
ne perryvire and Winchester PIKE another portion
vss sent TO the right OF army tho charestown
arc Winchester road These dispositions for the
1svposo Of giving receiving direct assault, at the
p-ae time guarding The fanks u our army.
Our limo OF battle marked TO be formed 10 line
sxssndng from north south, parallel with opeiu
xeek, on the west eide OF which, and upon numerous
high and abrupt hIs the encmy had hs acld works
nructed The line OF battle front planned about
nsm three 10 four miles in length
IT. troops broke camp al ave o'clock on the morn.
na OF tho 18th instant. The sixth corps under
major General Wright, moved Ia column by The
Winchester and Berryvllle pike tho Nine,se nth
surps General Emory, marched across the fields and
saquely 10 gain ,he road the Army OF west viz
ssia, under MAJOR General Crook held rsserve
asd marched the Of the other osrpa. The day
yss warm, tho sky clear and the army n erceIen,
1trts Here aud there General sheridan seen msk,
- personal supervision Of the disposition OF troops and
~ zee that hts men we'll 10 hand
~ daylight the csvsvy commeuccd engaging the
oemy who bad heavy infantry and oavary administers
Nu ~ the 0nequso Every mch OF Tho ground was dts
Scsed sud Tor while iMtIe or no hsadway vas
bashc. fhs infantry columns moved slowly In the
rosr 0 she cavalry. shortly after sunrise the
Memy's infantry aod skirmishers we're driven 70
lAew main position west 81 the Opequan. The
rslry were then oydered 70 rsconnors positions for
ne infantry 70 cross the creek. In the meanwhile
HspsYs sheridan formed his line OF batUs 10 effect
ersesng A. soon ~ the rebe' skrmshevs had rot 10
Me- bank OF the 0iepusn the susr,y's batteries
epened Ere upon the opposite side shelpx the woods
nd corseeds with great rapidI.y This they did 10
nyow troops into disorder but ensctualy failed.
me rebel fines we're formed With Gcnsrai bsecsin
Ndsss corpscn heir right four lsl. OPPOSITE fsth