Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-10-01
am, sRERIDAN's GREAT VICTORY.
Graphic Account of Movements and Battle.

Shenandoah Valley:
HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
WINCHESTER, Sept. Ig,-eP. M-Gen. Sher-
idan's army has this day fought one OF the
most successful and decisive battles OF the
war Victory again perched on our banner,
and the rebel army has been defeated and ut
terly routed with the loss of at least 5000
killed and wounded, including five Generals,
namely, Rhodes, Wharton, Bradley johnson,
Gordon, York and Goodman, the first two OF
whom were killed and others badly wounded,
and we have captured $500 prisoners, 9 bat
tle-fags, representing 9 different regimental
organizations, and pieces of artillery with
caisSons.
Sunday morning Early sent Gordon's di-
vision of rebel infantry from Bunker Hill,
where it had been stationed for the past few
DAYS to drive Averill out of Martinsburg and
destroy the bridges on the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad across the Opequan, which they
eroneously thought had been repaired They
occupied Martinsburg for short time with
out doing any damage to the railroad, and
were eventually driven by Ayerill as far as
Darkesyille. rar
Gen. Sheridan learning this movement or
dered the whole command to break camp and
prepare to march, Accordingly, Sunday at
o'clock tents were all struck. The left divis-
IONS were all ulQeF af1IlS ANU DT6DdIcu 10
march at a moments notice. About O'clock
orders were received from Sheridan for the
9th and 18th corps to beready TO start at
o'clock and the Army of Western Virginia
under Crook at the following morning
Shortly after 5 O'clock Wilson's division of
cavalry crossed the 0pequan at Berryville,
took the Winchester pike, moving his COM
mand rapidly along the road, driving the ene-
my's skirmish line. He calamity charged the
enemy's field works with the first brigade and
carried them at the point of the sabre, cap
turing so prisoners. In this charge Colonel
Brenton of the 18th Pennsylvania cavalry
was wounded within few feet of the enemy's
works while calamity leading his regiment.
These field works were constructed by reb-
els to guard the ford at Opequan and prevent
our passage at that point.
Oar cavalry having secured a safe passage
for the infantry, this being ready the advance
was sounded at about II O'clock and the diff
ferent lines moved forward. The two corps
advanced in splendid style as though march
ing at review or parade.
The first line had not advanced more than
200 Yards before it became warmly engaged
with the enemy, who were posted in line
about 600 yards distant. At the same time
our artillery opened a furious cannOnade,
throwing shells and solid shot into the OppO-
side woods, where the enemy could be dis
tinctly seen moving up achievements. Our
left line of battle continued to advance stead
lily, until within nearly 200 yards of the ene-
my's lines, when the rebels opened furious
cannonade with grape and canister from two
batteries which they had kept secreted and
which ploughed through our advancing lines,
moving down large numbers of our men,
The first line was obliged to give way under
so murderous fire, and in retreating behind
the second line, threw it into CONSERVATION,
and it also was obliged to fall back behind
the third line, which had in the meantime
been ordered to lie down in order to avoid,
as much as possible, the effects of the with
ering fire which the enemy's batteries were
directing against our advancing lines.
The artillery was now brought up and post
ed in commanding position to silence those
batteries of the enemy which had caused us
so much annoyance, and our line reformed
and again moved forward, regaining the adj
vanced position which they had held when
they were obliged to fall back; but this sue
cess was not gained without the most Obsti-
nate resistance on Jne part of the enemy.
Gen. Sheridan had previously ridden along
the lines and was received everywhere by
the mel with the greatest enthusiasm, and
when they advanced 1t was with the terrible
determination to do or die in the attempt.
which we had previously occupied, the diff
ferent lines of battle were ordered to lie
down and wait the arrival of Gen. Crooks
corps which was held in reserve on the east
ern side of the 0pequan. They we're ordered
up to take position on the extreme right of
our line, and in order to counterfeit move
ment on the part of the enemy who were
massing troops on their left flank with view
of turning our right.
At precisely o'clock Gen. Crook formed
on the right of the 9th Corps, his LIST Divis-
ion on the right of our line, and the I'd Di-
vision in the rear supporting a Division of
the 9th Corps. Gen. Crook having formed
| his men, rode along the lines and was receiy-
ed with most vociferous cheering, the men
promising to go in and wipe out Winchester.
Gen. Torbett, with Merritt's and AverilPs
| divisions of cavalry having crossed Opequan
about o'clock at Burns and Knox's fords
had been hard at work all day fighting con-
siderable bodies of the enemy's infantry and
cavalry and having been successful in steadily
| driving. them before them, now arrived on
our extreme right and was prepared to take
part in the final struggle which secured us
victory.
Gen. Sheridan rode out to where Gen. Tor
| bett was stationed, and after a consultation
with him as to the part the cavalry was to
| take, ordered final charge which was, made
with an impetuosity which nothing could re-
| sist. . d.
Our line extending nearly three miles in
| length, advanced with cheers and yells which
could be distinctly heard amid the noise of
artillery and musketry, in charge which for
its impetuosity has seldom been exceeded in
| any battle of this war; Our men had deter
mined to win the day and nerved themselves
| accordingly for the coming struggle.
Our men had determined to win the day,
| and nerved 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 discarge
men could be seen distinctly dropping all
around, and the two contending lines at some
points could not have been over two hundred
Yards apart Just at this critical period,
above the roar of artillery, musketry, cheers,
and the fierce yells of the coDtendiDg armies
could be distinctly heard the shrill notes of
the cavalry bugle, sounding the charge, which
was the death knell to Early's army. There
could be seen the gallant Gustav and Merritt,
each with the headquarters flag in hand, and
conspicuous amongst the advancing squad
rons, calamity leading the charge which, in
connection with the desperate courage of our
infantry, secured us the victory the columns
of Early's command were forced to give way
and break before the fierce onslaught which
our cavalry made upon them, who, with sabre
in hand rode them down, cutting them right
n