The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-27
S H E R l D A N ;.

S II E r I D A N.
Mr.. Theodore c. wilson's Despatch.
HEADQUARTERS, AvERIL's CAVALRY, /
IN THE FIELD, August rs, 1884. !
General Caster, who cut OF in Torbers operations
OF yesterday, arrived safe last night within lines
Last night the shelcd small force that General
Averi had the north side OF the Potomac opposite
the Shepherdstown ford.
This morning portion Of General Averps command
engaged the enemy wliamsport. The rebels sheled
the town.
Mr.. 5. +. BuikIey's Despatch.
HALr1owS, Va, August 20, 1884,
rHE SITUATION
OF the two armies conronng each other In this depart
ment has not materially changed in che past twenty
hours. Gen. Sheridan watches tho movements OF the
enemy closely and constantly feeling his lines to
tain II he still confrcnts him in force.
REcoNNoIssANCEa
OF hourly occurrence and skrmshes frequent which
may bring on general engagement at any hour II seems
to be the general impression that Early been largely
reinforced and contempates another invasion Of Mary
land. II So he will find in General Sheridan ofhcer
better qualified to deal with him than be has her
to confronted.
A sKIRxrsH
portion OF the Nineteenth corps, which holds the
sxtreme left Of line and the Third brigade OF the
First division Of cavalry. had lively skrmish with the
enemy yesterday evening The object Of the
to ascertain the position and force Of the enemy
their Immediate front The fight though Short severe
and the result satisfactory The enemy lost 10
killed. wounded and prisoners, and driven
distance Our Infantry attacked their skirmsh line In
'front.' while the cavalry charged them BY the flank,
ating much confusion in their ranks
Our cavalry suffered considerably from the enects Of
an artillery nrs the enemy opened upon them at dis
tanoe or one hundred and City yards.
Mr.. Francis o. Longs Despatch.
CAVALRY DIVISION, In THE FIELD, August 20, 1884
AcAvALwY KEcoSNonsAScs EVENING.
Vague hints In circulation about projected
movement OF some kind which tho cavalry corps
TO take prominent part but distant and uncertain
were these illusions that few persons hazarded opn
ion to what the suspected movement would really
prove. Finally, Captain Ibert, Division Adjntant
General promulgated order to have the troops in
marching order at daylight-and at daylight the
mand ready 10 march. General Chapman led the
way with his brigade while Mcintosh, with his troops,
after twisting and winding among the hills ana woods
for about miles, brought up the rear.
About ten o'clock A. NJ. reached wa'pers cross
roads, four miles from shepnerdstown, where werc
joined by General Merritt with his division. At this point
we encountered the enemys pckets who very modesiy
retired rs our fankers came sight. Both divisions
we're halted and massed at the roads, md every
arrangement made for giving him battle, since the few
faint and distant shots could hear in the forest, some
haif mile TO the southwest Indicated his presence Tho
Second brigade the rst to advance OF this DIVISION
although General Mcintosh with the First promptly
on the field Tho Twenty second New York we're ad-
vanced sxirmshers and pushed close TO tho woods
where they encountered line Of infantry administers Of
the enemy with whom they instantly becsue engaged,
while battery commenced Smelling them back
With the utmost fury. The regiment, although
not an old one stood the FIRE for while as stsupch 40
veterans Of the old school, but gradually losing
ground when supper, was sent TO them
Meanwhile Merritt, on the right OF the road (thc
Shepherdsown and winchester) was holly diminishing,
the sharp rattle or muskes and carbines sufficiently
attested General Mcintosh coming up. he took post
sou little in the and about the centre OF the
on the left Of the railroad. The Third New Jersey
thrown forward mounted skrmishers ato the woods
They . portion OF the line General Chapman
and part OF Merritts division had encountered The
rebels In the woods, having fair view Of the mounted
skrmshcrs poured very severe nre into their ranks
Hidden behind stone WALL aud behind the sumps and
trees they almost entirely hidden from sight thus
obtaining most decided advantage and the regiment
had 70 fall back from the are.
00n0ra mcintosh tnon dfSmonnteu ana SEM
II on the right Of Chapman, and filling up space be-
tween his command and General Custef's. The Third
New Jersey Sixth New YORK.. Esshseesth Popnsylvanis
and First Oonnectcut then ordered into the woods
TO Dust the enemy from his position line OF rebels
directly IN front Of the First o0npecticut perhaTs
portion OF continuous limo, posted In corn neld
burst 10 the trees over the heads Of our men. Acs
standing their IRE for while che regiment dashed iptr
the corn dcld drsve them out Of a. double quick and
over the hills beyond
SONS battery bad been time IN position hin
little TO the left and Of Custevs brigade pouring
effective nre into The rebel skrmsh lines. Fttx Hughr
battery N position kts further down Che side o.
the hin, directly below Ranson's, and In rear OF the
FWth New York, throwing his shells over the regiment
into woods beyond with range accurate, usual.
The rebel skrmshers being sharpy bssst by thc Firs
brigade began 70 icse kround ard being steadily and
vigorously pressed they Of aet fell back 70 Kearnysvue
Al this point me rcbels had strong line Of battle, ~ Tx
base Of high aud steep HILL With several pieces Of osn
position, which they engaged for short time, bH
perhaps wNh somewhat sQuvocAi succeaA However
boys held the ground unth ordered 70 pere ro h<
Aeld when Vas ascertaiuod .het ,Ae enemy nyss
toned above opened terrific STORM Of oaniyee. ssd
II IVES q comparatively short repgs. u whlsllsa ant
| shsisksd through ths woods n fearful mannes.
l Sergeant whitcomb, Of Company u. Flftb New Yerh
cavalry, ds!,nssshed hmSs s!sssy b hs bravery 70
and the Mpes wsvsrsd - h upcsrtaip@y ~ rsde I'm
bore boldly 10 the mont u o. Nns, and Shsu BY v<
and example chsersd ard enocsvAged hs fatostn9 co..
psniops Such hstancss = sou.ase are .srs. and ,
o. hw bravery. fNh same sergeant distinguished him
self a PucklanA Mills, uader kpaviok and q rodAs
Tavern, IN the Wilderness where he was wounded.
General Mcintosh remained IN The ssirmsh nc during