The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-09-21
Pirates on Lake Erie.
An Attempt TO Release the
johnson Island Prisoners.
The Draft Proceeding Qssi-
city tn all States.
FROM SHERIDAN.
Important Movements----0reat Battle
Probably Commeneed..-Rumor Of 4
Fight on the Weldon Road.

New York, Sept. 20.
The Herald's Harper's Ferry special of
the 10Th says as was expected the visit of
the Lieut.. General here was to put in
motion some important move ofthe army.
Friday morning laet the enemy disap-
peared entirely from the left wing Of our
army on the Berryville and Winchester
pike, and only made feint show on our
right. This gives the surmise that they
had either taken up line of retreat to
Strasburg or had massed to their left to
our right for a concentrated movement
against us.
Gen. Sheridan at once took measures to
ascertain the facts, and from information
obtained soon came 10 the conclusion ,ha,
the attempted clever movement of Gen.
Early was only feint to get troops on
our left to the west side of Opequan
creek. The trap was discovered and the
rebel General thsarted in his designs.
The affair yesterday morning at Mar
tinsburg, between the rebels, consisting of
artillery and infantry, and our troops un.
der Gen. Averill, showed that the rebels
we're stoutiy guarding the Baltimore d
Ohio railroad with the view of preventing
its reepening from here to Cumberland.
Shortly after daylight this morning the
enemy were discovered in force on the
west bank OF the Opequon, when sharp
.kirmishing and brisk cannonading took
place between ,he srnies.
Maj. Gen Crock, With his veterars OF
the West Virgin. army. occupied the
right Of our line, the 9th corps the centre
and the 9Th corps the right.
A great battle for the possession of the
valley Of the So rrardnah has either com
menced or c"Hnti b. long delayed. Il
is said the rebels have large reserve con,
cealed In tn~ valley be'ween North Noun
lain and Third Ii i'll Mountain, with bead
quarters at Jonesbero.
/ The reports of rebel deserters ant
others 10 regard to the strength Of thi
force are SO conflicting it is difficult t.
settle down on any stated number as al
accurate fact. The enemy Offering Sheri
dan battle shows they have good size,
J army and hope to meet with success.
!. The Trihuue's special Of the 18th say
news of an Important movement uf Sheri
daD's army reached here tonight. u
10 the time your messenger left no decisiv
: result had been obtained.
, Severe cannonading and skirmishin
were going on up to dispatch time Z
train. 1t was thought general baul
, for the possession OF the valley had com
menced or was certain to transpire yer
y soon.
i The Worlds Washington special Of th
n 10th says the steamer Thomas Morga
arrived here at ten o'clock this mornin
from City Point.
, At an early hour yesterday skirmisbiu
began on our extreme left, and when Il
Morgan left City Point At ten o'clock
had grown to be very brisk.
: Friday the rebels were seen concentra
a ling bodies of troops on our left, either {;
J. offensive movements or in spprehensit
. of al sttack by us.
et A report has been pat shoat o-d,
. that there has been . severe battle on Il
l. Weldon railroad and the enemy has su
y ceeded in dislodging Gen. Hancock a,
y regaining possession Of the road, but {
II ligent enquiry fails to estsblish any tru
"A In the report.