American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-09-28

in order to countelfeita movement on the
part of the enemy, who were massing
troops ON their left flank with view of
turning our right.
About o'clock Gen. Crook formed on
the right of tile 10Th corps, his first di-
vision ON the extreme right of our line,
and the second division in the rear, sup
porting a division of the 10Th corps.
Gen. Crook having f rned his men, rode
along the lines, and was received with the
most vociferous cheering, the men prom
ising to 90 in and wipe ont Winchester.
Gen. Torbut, with Merritts and Ayerill's
division of cavalry, having crossed the
Opequan about nine o'clock, at Burns
and Knox's fords, had been hard at work
all day fighting considerable bodies of the
enemys infantry and cavalry, and hav-
ing been successful in driving the rebels
before them, now arrived on our extreme
right andwas prepared to take part in the
final struggle which secured us the yicto-
ry.
Gen. Sheridan rode out to where Gen.
Torbut was stationed, and after a consul
tation with him as to what part the cavalry
were to take, ordered a final charge, which
was made with an impetucusity which
nothing could resist Our line extend
ing nearly three miles in length, advan-
ced amidst and yclls which could be dis
tinctly heard far above the noise of the
artillery and muskctry, which for its i'm
pctuousity has seldom been excclled in
any battle of this war.
Our men had determined to win the
day, and neryed themselves accordingly
for the coming struggle, and as our lines
advanced closer and closer to those of the
enemy, the battle became more and more
fierce; the slaughter now was awful
At every discharge, men could be distinct
ly seen dropping all around and the two
conteuding lines at the same points, could
not have been over 200 yards apart. just
at the critical period above, the roar of
artillery. musketry, aed the cheers and
fierce yells Of the contcnding armies
sould be distinctly heard several miles off,
and the cavalry bugle sounding the charge
which was the death knell to their army.
There could be seen tho gallant Custar
aud Merritt, each with headquarters flag
in hand, advancing calamity, and leading
the charge which, in connection with the
desperate courage Of our infantry, secur-
cd us the victory
The columns of Early command were
forced to give way beforco our cavalry, who,
with sabre in hand, rode them down, cut
ting them right and left, capturing 721
privates and nome commissioned officers,
with nine battle flags and two guns.
The broken and. demoralized divisions
compromising Early's command now fed
in confusion throwing away everything
which could in any way impede their
fight With their arms gone they made
for the heights beyond Winchester, but
they were speedily disloged by AveriIl
and forced to beat hasty and ignomini-
Gus retreat up the valley, where such of
Early's command as are left him are now
scattered. Our victory is glorious one,
well calculated to fill the hearts of every
loyal man.
Among the killed and wounded are Col.
Il. Bright, 18th Ohio, killed Capt Wright
killed; Capt McGueston, ID .. S. Cav.
Lieut. Jackson, lst Michigan cavalry,
arm shot off; Licuts. Matthews and Jno
Allen, lst Michigan cavalry, killed.