Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-10-29
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FROM THE SHENANDOAH.

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The Enemy i'm strong Forcc-Prepor.
ing for am Important MOvement..A
Brilliant Cavalry Dash.
New YORK, Oct. 28.-The Herald's Win.
chester correspondence of the 9th SAWS
me enemy has still very strong force In
the Valley and it is reliably reported to be
reorganizing. The enemy has a strong
force OF cavalry in the Lllray Valley, and
under cover OF the present stiffness move
ments are being made of an eminently i'm
portant character. At the time when the
late battle Of the 10Th took place. the ene-
my had stationed three brigades of cavalry
near Milford creek, In the Luray Valley.
When the general rebel movement was
made, tllis force advanced to Bucklins ford.
Oh the Shenandoah river, and Front Royal.
In the movement stated they were met by
P0well's division OF cavalry and checked.
when the rebels met with defeat they re-
treated to Milford and within the line of
the fortifications there, at commanding
position.
For certain substantial military reasons,
a reconnoitering party 300 strong was
sent out on the 24th from Powells division.
in the neighborhood of Front ROYAL. The
expedition was commanded by Major Glib
son, who so .gallantly distinguished himself
IN the Averill acticn at Mo0refeld in July
last. During the early part of the morning
OF the 9th, Major Gibson moved his COM
mand across both branches of the Shenan-
doah river, and moving through Front
Royal, passed onward towards Milford and
the Luray Valley. Before daylight lie came
upon the enemy's pickets and drove them
In, capturing one or two. He then passed
rapidly on toward Milford creek. On the
way up he met the enemy in line of battle,
with two pieces of artillery; and although
MS force did not exceed 800, he displayed it
In line of battle without a reserve and
charged them. The enemy, perhaps re-
membering our other late assault, did moth
ing more than fire one volley and break.
Gibson continued the pursuit as rapidly as
lt was possible for him to move forward i'm
the darkness. The enemy kept his artillery
on the pike and.atter firing one round lin
bered up and made off to the rear. Owing
to Gibson's inferior force he could not flank
the enemy and get at his artillery. The
enemy sent the artillery ahead, and kept
the cavalry right and left of the road to
cover its going off.
In the general charge which Gibson first
made he captured one battle-flag.
Continuing to press on, Gibson at length
drove the enemy over the creek and upon
they sought refuge, and opened rapid fire
from carbines and the two pieces of artil-
lery before mentioned. In front of this
barrier Gibson halted, to feel the enemy's
position take few prisoners, ascertain the
rebel strength, and then retired, reaching
safe position in the direction of the Shen-
andoah by daylight. The enemy finding at
last that the bird had flown, set out after
him at trot, but did not succeed in over
taking him, as Gibson reached the Union
lines in safety and without heavy loss.
The affair is looked upon as quite bril-
liant cavalry dash. The idea of three hun
dred men almost routing three thousand
mounted rebels and driving them to their
fortitications and capturing one of their
battle-flags, besides nearly capturing their
two pieces of artillery, is indeed amazing
and interesting. In the course of the re-
connoissance, and from prisoners, informa-
tioon was gained of high Importance to the
Interests OF the army.
Yesterday cannonading was heard. 1t is
to be in the direction of Front |
Royal, and was probably another cavalry !
fight. ,.-......s-s.T r'r r Tn rfr'