Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-10-22
From New YORK


NEw YORK. October 2l.-The Hersld's cor
respondent gives the following account of SheIi
dams last victory
II was moonlight and all around was the still
ness usual TO that hour and while this stiffness
was prevailing the enemy had noiselessly massed
a heavy column of troops behind the hills on the
southwest side OF Cedar Creek, and directly in
front of the positions occupied by our extreme
pickets
AT given signal, as We afterwards learned,
the enemy advanced rapidly in solid columns of
regiments.
Our pickets were charged-some of them were
captured: and some were driven in before they
had time to discharge their muskets in fact -,
what few pickets did come in, the enemy came
in so soon after and so close TO them that il
tie which party warned the slumber-
ing camD of the army, Of the danger near al
hand
Having driven in or captured our pickets on
the left of the line of the infantry, the enemy
charged across Cedar Creek and up the ford. and
very soon after the bridge over said stream
and reached the side of the hill and breastworks
occupied by Gen Starburn's division of the sth
corps
The rebels hesitated not. bv pressed on over
all barriers. completely surprising, and in a
measure stampeding The left Of Gen Sheridan :
line
By this success, the enemy gained some artil
Iery--I believe the 4th Pennsylvani battery and
some pieces from regular battery.
The suddenneSs of the attack ami it, wonder
ful success for 4 short time bewdered the troops
and many of them were taken prisoners. but the
greater portion Of them go, away with their
/ arms.
The other division OF Crook corps. which was
allowed some time to form, did so. and was soon
formed in by the remaining portion OF Starburns
division
All this while the enemy kept pressing on and
pouring in upon our men rapid and mUrderous
ire from musketry as also from artillery posted
upon the hills on the opposite side of Cedar
Greek
Having directed column against Crook >
force. the enemy quickly turned his attention
toward ihe right OF the pike, when the 18th corps,
General Ewing commanding, wa gotten in line
and his artillery TO work at short range.
~ this time bold charge was made by The
enemy under cover OF hs guns % capture the
artillery.
Ia measure this charge Was successful. al
though il was resisted with great vigor and bv
fire that would have done credit 20 the best OF
+ veterans under the most trying circumstances
In the charge the rebels took one OF two pieces
of the lst Maine battery and believe portion
OF the Chase battery
What mos, helped the rebels was the exact
range which they got OF our pieces
The 9th corps passed from is position oi re-
serve over to where the 9Th corps was located i'm
+ the commencement of the engagement
The trains were got ont speedily a. possible.
taking the pike road to Winchester. where they
arrived IN safety
The cEemy discovering the success OF his sur
prise. and believing that IL was now for him only
trumphantly ~ advance and by the way must
mention that il now broad daylight, brought
his columns aud artillery across Cedar Creek 20
press the pursuit with vigor.
While this was being done, aud a briei .uil
I prevailed, our line was contracted and com
I menced slowly falling back
The enemy pressed the pursuit rapidly, and
/ With great pefsistency
Gsn sheridan h. way from Washing
ton hpck to hi> headquarters when the attack
vas made tie regched Winchester the night
( before fhe,sitsek and remained there for consul
7 iation.
Early ia the morning he heard canuonading
! and mounting his horse he pushed forN ard 10 the
/ front
On his way he met string of teams going TO
the rear accompanied by the ususl number OF