Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-10
Correspondence of the Chicago Times.)

Correspondence of the Chicago Times.)
WAsHISrEoS, Sep. A.
In order that the readers of the Times may
understand fully the position of affairs on the
Upper Potomac it will be necessary for me brief
ly TO refer to some facts omitted in my last letter.
At that time Gen. Earlys forces haG disappeared
from Gen. Sheridan's Immediate front, and the
statement had been trumpeted over the country
that the rebels had yetreated from the Shenan-
doah Valley, and that Gen. Lee had sent impera-
tive orders to Early TO bring back his forces to
Richmond for the defence of that city A great
clamor had been prevailing about Sheridan's al
legged inaction, and yielding to this clamor, the
military directory here had sent orders to Sheri-
dan to pursue Early and to force him to fight
Gen Sheridan, as stated in my last letter, had
started on his pursuit" and bis movable column,
consisting of the 9th and 18th corps, and Crooks
division of the Sth corps, had advanced to
Charlestown, ten miles from Harper's Ferry.
Since that time, three battles of considerab
magnitude have been fought. all within twenty
miles of Harper's Ferry. Gen Early was overtaken
great deal sooner than "the Government" ex-
pected The first engagement took place on the
2Sth ult., at Smithfed, fifteen miles west mot
south,) Of Harper's Ferry The second was
fought on the next day. near Bunker HILL on the
Opequan river, an inconsiderable stream that
empties into the Potomac ten miles below Will
Transport. The third was fought at Martinsburg
on the 3lst ult
The first of these actions was little more than
a reconnaissance; and il disclosed the fact that
the Confederates were holding very strong po-
sition on the left bank OF the Opequan river at
Bunker Hill. The fighting, however, was severe
and our loss considerable. The second action
was an attempt on our part to drive Gen Early
from that position and IL signaly failed. Not
Qplv oil rrt.h
loss. but Gen Sheridan found i: prudent, after
the action to retreat To Charlestowp where, as
the Secretary OF War WAS graciously pleased TO
inform the public on the 3lst ult his army re-
NAMED ar that time
While Gen. Sheridan's main body was thus en-
gagged, the grester part of his cavalry had been
kept on the north side Of the Potomac. TO pre-
vent the rebels from crossing into Maryland
Gen. Averl's brigade was At Williamsport; Gen
Wilson's brigade opposite Shepherdstown On
the 18th, these two brigades crossed the Potomac
and advanced to Martinsburg twelve miles dis
tant. and three miles west of the Opequan river,
which latter stream Gen Wilson's brigade bad
to cross six miles above It's mouth. Our cavalry
entered Martnsburg without serious opposition
The Confederate force that had been stationed
there had been Withdrawn to Bunker HILL eight
miles south Of Martinsburg. in order 10 operate
against Sheridans advance Our cavalry re-
manned at Martinsburg on the 29th and Goth. ex
pecting that Gen Sheridan would open commu-
nicatiou with them. from Smithheld, ten miles
south Of Msrtinsburg
Gen. Kelly, with small and entirely insde-
quate force. is still holding Cumberland and
Hancock. his jurisdiction extending indeed. A.
far west a the Ohio river He has a few iron
clad railroad cars, which are necessary for re.
connoitering on the railroad. With some of
these. he came down from Hancock on the Goth,
TO communicate with Gen. Averill at Martins
burg. At the same time, the stages between
Msrtinsburg and Hagerstown via WiIIiamsport
began to run. Hundreds Of refugees from Mar
tinsburg we're then staying in various parts Of
MARYLAND and Pennsylvania. IL vas so cor6-
IDENTIFY believed in those two States that Gen
Sheridan would defeat Early and drive him out
of the Valley. and that Averil's occupation Of
Martinsburg was to be permanent, that many Of
these people came down Ia the stages the