Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-09-21
8g GeIegrapB.
Afternoon Report.

VaIley-A Great Battle Fought
Sheridan ViotoriouS-Two Rebel
Generals Killed-2,500 Prisoners
Taken. .Ts
Nav York, Sept. 2o.-The Herald's
Harper's Ferry special of the 19th says:
AZ was expected, the visit of Gen. Grant
here has put in motion some important
movements Of the army.
On Friday morning last the enemy dis
appeared entirely from the left wing OF our
army on the Berryville and Winchester
pike, and only made o faint show on our
right. This gives the surmise that they
had either taken up q line of retreat TO
StraSburg, or had massed to their left, q
our right, for concentrated movement
against rs.
Gen. Sheridan at once took measures to
ascertain the fact, and from information
obtained soon came TO the conclusion that
the attempted clever movement Of Gen.
Early was only feint, to get the troops on
ourieft to the west side of opequau creek.
The trap was discovered, and the rebel
General thwArted In his designs.
40 affair yesterday morning ct Martins.
burg between the rebels consisting Of artil.
lery and infantry, and;our troops under Gen.
Averill, showed that the rebels were stoutly
guarding the Baltimore and Ohio rail road,
with view Of preventing It's reopeuiug
from here to Cumberland. Shortly after
day light this morning the enemy were
discovered in force on the west bank Of the
Opequan when sharp skirmishing and
brisk canonadiDg took place between the
armies. Maj. Gen. Crook with his veterans
of the West Virginia army accepted the
right of our line; the 9th corps in the CEN
ire and the 9Th corps on the right. I'd
A great battle for the possession Of the
Valley of the Shenandoah has commenced
or cannot be long delayed. 1t 10 said tie
rebels have large reserve concealed In.
the Valley between North Mountain and
Third Hill Mountain, With headquarters ct
JAmesburg. 1883. -... .f.
The reports of rebel deserters and others
in regard to the strength of this force are
so conflicting, il Is difficult to settle down
upon any stated number as accurate. The
fact of the enemy offering Sheridan battle
shows they have q good sized army, and
hope to meet with success.
A special to the Tribune dated the 18th
says: -.
idan's army reached here tonight. Up to
the time your messenger left NO decisive
result had been obtained. Severe cauno-
nadiug and skirmishipg were going on up
to despatch time of the train. 1t was
thought general battle for the possession
of the Valley had commenced or was GER
tain to transpire very soon.
LATER.
War DEPARTMENT, WAsHIHoToH, Sept.
20.-HGyor of Wheeling: Yesterday, (Aon-
day) the 18th, Maj. Gen. Sheridan attacked
the rebel forces, under Gen. Breckinridge
and Early, in the Shenandoah Valley,
fought q hard battle all day and brilliant
| victory was Won by our forces. The enc
my were driven over twelve miles-2,6O
prisoners were captured, nine stand OF
colors and Eve pieces of artillery were
taken aud the rebel killed aud wounded
left in our hands. The rebel Gems. Rhodes
and Gordon were killed and four other
rebel Generals wounded.
... E. NJ. STANTON, Sec'y Of War.
HARPER's FRRRY, Sept. l9lh-T p. NJ
| Hon. E. N. Stdnton:-Just heard from the
front. Our cavalry under Averill and
Merritt, engaged Breckinridge's corps at
daylight and up to one O'Clock had driven
him beyond StsVensou's depot, a distance
of miles, killing and Woundipg quite a
plumber and capturing 400 prisoners from
Gordon's division.
| On the centre and left the enemy were
driven about three miles beyond the oPe-
ouau, into q line of earthWOrks, our in
fantry attacking them in their position.
Since then, as the officer left, he could
distinctly hear firing, and 1t was still con.
tinuiug up TO this hour. Every indication
is most favorable to US. .'a ''
j (SiRned) JHo. STHVREsoH,
Brigadier General.