Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-10-26
A TERRIBLE BATTLE
AND A SPLENDID VICTORY
NV YoRK, October, 20.

On every morning during the present
week but this, troops had been in readi-
ness at daybreak for an attack, which in
formation furnished by our scouts had
led US to expect. This ~precaution, which
had proved unnecessary before, was for
some reason omitted this morning, sppre-
tensions OF another attack having died
away.
The army was posted along the north
bank of Cedar Run, the Army of West
Virginia on the left of the Winchester
and Strasburg turnpike, the extreme left
resting on the Shenandoah; the 18TH
corps on the centie, or right OF the pike,
and the 9th corps on the right.
In the absence of General Sheridan who
was just returning from Washington, and
who slept in Winchester last night, Gen.
Wright commanded the army, General
Ricketts, being in command Of the 9th
corps.
Adense smoke enveloping the country,
favored the enemy's design.
On the previous night Gen. Early who
proved to be still in command, had mas
sed three divisions of infantry, Pegrsm's,
Gordan's and Ramseur's, ut a concealed
point, threatening our extreme left, the
two remaining divisions, Wharton's and
Kershaw's, being moved from Fishers
Hill along the pike, threatening u CEN
tire.
Shortly before daylight this morning
while our army, dreamless of danger,
was soundly sleeping, q picket assault
was made on our right. Rapid and con-
tinuous discharge Of sentinel muskets ex-
49,. oloa- 49, f-Onf fnU0rdz the lafl
when suddenly the rebel infantry ad-
vanced against Gen. Crooks division IN
solid columns, pouring a fire on Dur flank
and front. Only aportion OF u troops
manned the breastworks when the assault
commenced. IL was so energetic and
deadly rs to break the lines al once
The men of both division were swept
from their breastworks, into which the
enemy came flooding like the sea-. They
entered the encampment In rear OF the
works, where the soldiers, scarcely ava
kened, we're actually rising from their
blankets. To save the artillery ct the
creastworks became the desperate object
when the assault was first discovered,
but the nature of the ground rendered
this next to impossible. Battery b, ol
six guns was captured entire. BY super
numan efforts all but one gun OF the
5th Regular Battery was saved, leaving
seven guns in the hands of the snemy.
In the meantime the enemy still ad
vsnced, completely turning the left
flank of our army, and were nearing tne
pike on the heights above. The whole
army was by this time aroused. Wag
ons, ambulances and artillery were ma
king for the rear.
The 29th Corps, which had stood Arm
during the assault On Crook, now found
itself confronted by the second division
of the enemy, which had moved up the
pike and attacked it fsrcely in front anc
flank with musketry and artillery.
Colonel McC6uley's Brigade of the e
division, on the left. swung out of its Pc
sition in front, t receive the flank lire
of the foe. The assault increased il
ferceness, and the whole division refor'
med to meet the shock. The rebels, adj
vancing, mounted the brsastworks, and
with a withering..volley drove IL back In
retreat. The entire 10th corps, abandon
ing all its works, now fought %retrestlni
partially broken.
The left Of the army was completely
turned, half of the Army of Western VIr
ginia flying in dismsy through the fog
leaving its camps and the greater part o
its camp materials in possession OF thu
enemy.
The remnant together with a part o
the Provisional Division and Col. Ketch-
ing's command, which had been campec
in the rear, were fighting still for posses
sion of the turnpike.
The 18th corps were fighting, more o.
less, stubbornly falling back and constant
ly losing in stragglers.
The entire country about Middleton
in the rear of our army, is populated will
demoralized soldiers.
The crack OF rebel musketry creeping
further I'D on the left toward Middleton
hurrying wagons, ambulance collisions
Kisses and explosions OF the enemy
shells from batteries planted IN from o
the 18th corps, appearances OF defeat, I'm
pending disaster almost everywhere
might have shook the hope Of fanaticisu
itself.
Gen, Wright, with whom it wal left Il
organize the plan which should chang,
this dismal aspect of things, was not
whit discouraged. At this moment thu
army of Western Virginia and 18th corp
we're found TO be de6anily falling back
and he sent an order to that legion ''tha
never yet, on any field had it failed u
achieve success"
The 5th corps on the right were order
ed to change front, swing around ant
stem the torrent. Scarcely a minute
elapsed when its column was seen mo
wing maiestically by left flank Direct,
into the heart of the conflict. Opening
moment for the passage of ~stragglers, IT
line closing up again before the assault
that still had not been stayed, bent Xix
willow wyths o. the tempest struck it
but did not break for q moment. 4
last the career of the rebels in the cen
ire was brought to q pause. The artille-
nv of the corps, unlimberipg close to tn
rear, Numbered its answer to their shells
This brilliant movement, however, couls
not check the movement of the foe OF
our left. Some of their cavalry had al
ready penetrated into Middleton, captur
ing a portion of Gen. Crooks ambulance
train, and is reported to have s%eriousl.
wounded Colonel Thoburn, of the I'd di
vision of that command.
IDtlT lHldutT1 uhu swung aiOuuot ahN
were just in possession of the peak above
Merritts. Powers and Custar's division
OF cavalry were Withdrawn from tn,
regiment and sent TO stem the disastrous
advance.
After the check of the enemy IN the
centre lines of the 9th and 18th corps,
they reformed the 9th on the left, snC
the 18th on the right Of that. 1t wal
found necessary to withdraw his whole
line some distance, in order to connecI
with the cavalry, who were just adyan.
cling to drive the enemy to the pike on
the left, and in the whole field at that
point. The ~retrogative movement was
not accomplished without loss. The en-
envy followed it up closely and vigorous
.ly. The bullets rained in upon their ar
tillery, killing off horses and men and
embarrassing all attempts to move their
guns to the rear. The guns were fought
splendidly everywhere until the last mo
ment, when it was found they could not
be removed. Captain Stevens guns