Litchfield enquirer., 1864-11-10
E39#F I3d 39i3HUf9lIg oaI -.H M The Battle of Cedar Kun.
INxINcxBLE PHIL, SHERIDEN:.,

i IsxISaBLEl PHIL. SHERInDEN;;, HE n N;;,fa ,.a, MT. J B. .Stillson, the correspondent of tn.
 New York World gives | graphic account o
 the late battle at Cedar Run. He describes tn,
 first battle as disastrous to our army, and say
 that evidences of 2. rout began to, show them
 selves everywhere. Gen. Wright In command
 labored zealeusly and gallantly to stay tho
 tide of misfortune, and ordered retreat tt
 take up new position. ...As soon as the re | treat began writes the correspondent, ," the
 enemy again advanced with redosbled aTdor, charging and fendeavoiing to break through
 OFT lines. h this attempt they were unsuccess 1 ful, though the retreat became more rapid so
 rapid. indeed, that the artillery could not be moved fast enoughito accompany it., eih8r ag Mary of our officers had been wounded, some killed, our army was greatly disorgani- zed, and tho fortunes of the day were against us. But at this critical juncture. fresh hope
 was inspired by the arrival of Gen; Sheriden. have said that Gen, Sheriden slept in Win chester the night before the battle. g He was aroused by the sound of tlie enemy's artillery,
 about A. NJ. to day, and. taking horse, he
 at once made for the army at full gallop. At
 10 O. clock just as the last retreat alinaed to
 was about completed, and az the army as get
 ting iEto it's new position, faint hurrahs from
 the rear, along the pike, announced his com
 ing. He rode his famous black horse. and ask ed questions as he rode, of those along the line:
 Where is the Nineteenth Corps?" he in- quired sof mounted officer near one of the batter!es in the rear of the cavalry.
 On the light, General, in those woods, was the reply.
 Riding on still farther he said to another whom he recognized. a Now. all want, by -, is to get those men up in the rear and whip these Iascals back.
 One of his staff officers coming cut to meet him. announced that the situation of the army was ' awful.
 Pshaw D said Sheriled it's nothing of the sort. It's all right, or we Il fix it right
 The General rode on with his staff and es cort, which soon became in the distance a mass of dust and gleaming hoofs, Galloping past the batteries to the extreme left of tho line held by the cavalry, he rode to the front. took of his hat and waved it. while a cheer went up from the ranks, not less hearty and enthusi- astc than that which greeted him after the battle of Winchester. Generals rode out to meet him, officers waved their swords, men threw up their hats in an extremity of glce. General Custer discovering Sheriden at the mo ment he arrived. rode up to him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him on his cheek. Waiting for no other barley than sim ply to exchange greeting, and to say, TEis retreat must be stopped, by -" Sher iden broke loose, and began galloping down the lines, along the whole front of the army. Ev- anywhere the enthusiasm caused by his appear ance was the same. It increased at last until that part of the army in the rear hearing of it, became partly ashamed of secession, and came back. An organized effort was made to get the remainder into the ranks. A regiment sent out from Winchester did provost duty, driving all.before it to the front, Col. rForysth, Gen. Sheridens Chief of Staff took company of cavalry, and dashed in among the stragglers below Newtown, urging and driving them to ward their commands. Capt. Crowinshield, Provost Marshal General of the army, Capt. Halsted Provost Marshal of the Sixth Corps. and other Provost Marshals. did their best in formning line of guards ac;oss the entire county in the rear, which was gradually effec- tive in preventing desertioD. In short time the stragglers were partially organized and moving toward the front in squads companies and skeletons of regiments. The Army of Wes- tern Virginia, which had been so completely broken up and scattered in the morning. was thus reformed in measure, and put in pos tion Gen. Sheridan ordered all retreat to be stopped at once and at P. M he got his army established in line of battle as follows. The Sixth Corps in the centre, the Nineteenth Corps on the right, Gen. Crooks command on the lef;, Gen. Clusters cavalry division on the ex- trs,ue right aud Gen. Merritt's cavalry divi- sion the extreme left. sH. ',g r..y .-
 Ab.,ut r. NJ. the enemy resumed the offen sivc by making charge against our lines, bu were repulsed They then contented them selves by smelling us with artillery, which she'll ing gradually ceased, and at P. M all, save picket firing, was quiet. It was therefore pret- ty certain that Early had rclinquisked offensive for the day. The enemy were dis covered throwing up .breastworks of stones, rails and earth. and it was subsequently found that they had made preparations to encamp on tine ii Id tLey had won. Tn cir wagons and am balances were brought across Cedar Run, and every thing indicated :heir intention to retain the position during the night.
 At3P M. Gen Sheridan having completed his preparations, awakened his army to action, and the enemy from repose, by ordering grand advance 1ett half WheeD from felt to right, closing in upon the enemy. The cavalry pre- viously made charge which disclosed the po- stion of the foe and weakened his Hanks. The advance was slightly checked in the centre at the outset by the momentary embarrassment of the Third Division, Sixth Corps, which had to pass through dense wood. It was resumed as soon as this difficulty was overcome, the whole line making an onset upon sthe anemy, which brok aifheir lines after stubborn resis- tance, and sent them back careering. Firing continuous and whitening volleys, and aided by every piece of artillery which could be made available in the rear, our now enthusias- tic and determined columns presse the rebels so closely that they were unable to make a de- cisvs stand at any point. .-,-r -
 On through Miudletown, and beyond, the enemy hurried, and the Army of the Shenau- doah pursued. The roar of masketry now had a gleeful, dancing sound, The guns fired shot ted salutes of victory. Custer and Merritt, charging in on the right Band left, doubled up the Hanks of the foe, taking prisoners, slash ing, killing. driving as they went. Tn e march of the infantry was more majestic and more terrible. The lines of the foe swayed and broke before it everywhere. Beyond Mid dletown, on the battlefield fought over in the morning, their columns were completely over thrown and disorganized. They fled along the pike and over the fields like sheep. Custer took gun in one of his charges. captured from us in the morning-the first gun we had cap tured during the day. Many more guns were to be ours before nis htfall.
 It was dusk when the whole rebel army, for saking every inch of ground they had won, went across Cedar Run pell-mell, and went fy- ing towards Strawsbury. Two brigades of cav airy Wells and Lowell's) pursued, charging them at every chance, and increasing the rout before them. At night-fall, our cavalry enter ed Strasburg, while the enemy was still pass ing through the town, and feom that time un- til o'clock confined themselves, with the assistance of a division of infantry afterwards sent forward by General Sheridan. to picking up prisoners and gathering together and send