The New York herald., 1864-10-12
Details of the Battle and Vic
tory on Sunday Last.
The Rebels Again In Swift
Retreat.
The Cause Of Sheridan's Retire.
grade Movement,
ks h.. AA
Mr. Finley Andsrson's Despatch.

HEApou ARTFRs FISHERS ErfL, =
SHENANDOAH VALLEY Oct. o-Evenng.
The brilliant achievements Of our cavalry TO- day have
crowned General Sheridan's victories in the valley.
General Custers and Merrs divisions OF General Tor
Jerts cavalry corps defeated and driven the enemy
twenty miles OF ground to day, capturing eleven
guns four caissons foryseven wagons and abulances,
and about four hundred prisoners and herd OF CATTLE
Tho enemy, defeated and demorazed, is once more In
full retreat up the Shenandoah valley In bis recent
triumphant trip up the Shenandoah General Sheridan
did not pause in his pursuit Of Early until he had
driven him completely from the valley. Sheridan
had gone so far that the subsistence for hh
army had to be hauled in wagons q distance OF
almost hundred miles. Having defeated Early, and
upset the rebel plans for wntering army in the valley
Sheridan commenced retiring his OF sup
pies On his way he destroyed what remained OF the
harvest of the valley. Waving fields Of yellow grain
have been made perfect waste and overburdensA
barns burned to the ground Many mills and barns have
been burned within the last few days. Almost every
thing private houses has been destroyed. The il
habants loyal and dsloyal, have little eltto subsist
upon They anticipate good deal OF misery during the
approaching winter Some who have heretofore enjoyed
every luxury are now, by the inexorable demands oi
war compelled to beg their bread. 49, ~ .,
sherldans policy practically illustrates the important
principle that private interests must be subservens y
.he public good Many families have followed our army
dou.n ~, valley some going to their friends norhward
and some cofA,,s simply to obtain subsistence This
has been rendered necess by the fact that compare
lively speaking, The smiling Sa,y y virginia Is now
desert for ninety miles, esz~-.-,~ ;
When Sheridan commenced his retrosra66 jdovemSns
down the valley tho enemy manifested no disposition 70
follow Nothing than few rebel cavalry appeared
lowering about guard until yesterday, when
large oEce, under the rebel General Rosser was founS
following US down the Shenandoah. Yesterday when
Merritps division was coming down the turnpike, the
enemy audaciously attempted an attack The engage
ment took place Crabps Mil, q small mountain
stream known as Toms brook. The cannon OF the op-
posing parties posted the surrounding hills.
spirited artillery duel formed prominent feature n tho
operations Of this day. The reverberntons OF the guns
were hoard among the mountains until evening" Custer
had skirmishng further to the left After an In.
terestng itto tight the enemy every where hand.
somely repulsed The enemy however, bivouacked Las
night far from where the fight closed last evening.
This morning General Sheridan, having baited the
principal portion OF his command In the vicinity Of Fish
ers H instructed General Torber to attack the enemy
and drive him away from such close proximity TO our
Torbert went to work Immediately, and carried
out both the letter and tho spirit Of tho order Accord
ingly Custer's and Merrt's divisions made vigorous
assault the enemy at early hour this morning On
the right errits division occupied position Toms
creek, the Winchester turnpike, about midway bs.
tween strasburg and Woodstock and the left Custera
division occupied position near the samo stream on ths
back road about two miles closer to the mountains.
Custer advanced FIRST with his cavalry and horse artN
ery. He made bold attack and drove the enemy back
about a mile, to strong position on tho brook.
1here the enemy made determined stand. The rebe,a
were advansageousy posted on commanding
bill Barricades and brcastworks OF rails and stones
ributcd considerably to strengthen position which
was Maturity formidable. Geperal Custer, however,
threw In his whole command made three maguincsus
charges and at las. carried tho position by assault
AT the same timo junctios formed with Gonosal
Merritt the turnpike. Sharp skrmshing In the front
did not indicate anything decisive until Devns'
brigade succeeded 10 striking the encmy on the nank.
This produced copstcrnation in the rebel Nor.
rt's front The whole division line then pushed for
ward and followed the enemy, who in full re-
treat
The rerca. was soon turned into perfect rout. Gus
ter and Merritt pursued the flying fugitives capturing
guns, cassons, wagons, herd OF cattle and several
hdndred prisoners Among wagons captured scve
raj ammunition wagons, and containing the baggage
belonging TO the rebel Generals Wickham and Lomsxs
headquarters. Some OF the three incn
rfed guns just from the foundry In Richmond Prison
say this the nrst occasion on which those guus
had been used 10 the rebel service.
The enemy was driven In great disorder through
Woodstock. tnrough Edenburg and through Mount Jack
son-a distance OF more than twenty miles from the
scene OF the CONNER cement of this mornings oporatots
The rebel General Lomax had very narrow escape
from capture. One OF our cavarymen chasing two
rebel officers who riding side by side. When he
reached the officer who wore tho brighter uniform nssu
rally supposug him to be tho important parsonage
horse much exhausted the chase that he could
not catch the other occr. II subsequently, ascer-
tanned that he had captured captain or artillery and
tho companion OF the captain who made his Gighs
eaectua was the rebel General Iomax
General Merritt In hot pursuit OF another gun The
only one which the enemy seemed 10 have remaining
thousand dollars Offered for the guu; bu, t NOS
captured.
The operations Of to-day have been Of the most brinnt
character. This evening the troops exuItant
tho Victory and the bands dscourslng patriotic ana
inspiring music.
Guerlas continue TO infest the country but 10 is bo
Iievsd that no organized rebel forces will the
temsriy show themselves while General Sheridan -
In The valley.