Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-09-21
FROM SHERIDAN'S COMMAND.
Details Of His Brilliant Fight with Early

Details Of His Brilliant Fight with Early
Movements of the Several Divisions
Of His Army-Gallantry of Our Troops
Especial correspondence Baltimore Americana
HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIvI-
sION, WISCHRsTER, Sept. 19, P. M.-6eneral
Sheridan's army has this day fought one Of the
most sanguinary and decisive battles of the war.
Victory has again perched upon our banners,
and the rebel army which so recently threaten
ed an invasion OF the loyal North has been de-
least three thousand killed and wounded, in
GLIDING five Generals, namely: Rhodes,
Wharton, Bradley T. johnson, Gordon, York,
killed and the others badly wounded.
We have captured two thousand 1--we hun
dred prisoners, nine battle.fags, representing
nine different regimentaI organizations, and
five pieces Of artillery, with cassons
On Sunday morning Gen. Early sent Cor
don's division 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 bridge on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, across the Opequan, which they
enormously thought had been repaired. They
occupied Martinsburg for a short time with.
out doing any damage to theIrailrOad, and were
eventually driven by Ayerill as far as Darkes-
willie.
General Sheridan learning of their move
ments, ordered his whole command to break
camp and prepare TO march. Accordingly at
3 O'Clock on Sunday the tents were all struck
divisions were all under arms and prepared to
move out at moments notice. They re-
manned IN this state for about an hour, when
the order came to 60 into camp again for the
night, and every thing remained perfectly
quiet.
Gen Sheridan for the 9th and 10Th Corps to be
ready to start at o'clock, and the Army Of
Western Virginia, under Gen. Crook, at
O'Clock the following morning. The order OF
out OF on the &c BerryviIls and winchester pike,
and move in two parallel columns on both
sides Of the road. The 10th Corps to follow on
the same road, and In similar order. The Army
of Western Virginia, under Gen. Crook, 10
move from its camping ground, in the vicinity
of Summit Point, and striking across the coun-
try In a southwesterly direction, was ordered
to form junction at the crossing Of the Ope-
guam, on the Rerryville and Winchester pike:
Shertly after five o'clock Gen. Wilson's d.
vision OF cavalry crossed the Opequan, at the
Berryville and Winchester pike, and moving
his command rapidly along the road, driving
in the enemys skirmish line, calamity charged
the enemy's field works with the First Brig
ade, and carried them at the point Of the saber,
capturing thirty prisoners. In this charge Col.
Brinton, of the 18th Pennsylvania cavalry,
was wounded within few feet Of the en-.
emys works, whilst calamity leading his reg
iment.
These field works were constructed BY the
rebels TO guard the ford at the Opequan, and
1t will be seen how signally they failed to ac-
complish the object for which they were con-
suucted.
Our cavalry having secured a safe crossing
for the infantry, the Sixth Corps was moved
across the Opequan and along the pike to.
wards Winchester, leaving its train in park ON
the opposite side Of the stream, to a point about
one mile and half distant from the ford
where It formed in line OF battle and threw,
out a strong skirmish line, and at the same
time the artillery opened on the woods into
which the enemy's Infantry had retired, and
kept up an incessant cannonade, the enemy
replying briskly with parts Of two batteries.
There was delay OF At least two hours,
caused by the non-arrivai OF the Nineteenth
Corps, who, through q misconception OF or.
ders, had failed to come up At the proper time
Gen. Emery had moved his column in rear
OF the baggage train Of the Sixth Corps, In.
stead Of keeping his command closed up in
rear Of the advancing columns OF the sixth
Corps.
General Sheridan having learned ON Sunday
that the main portion of Early's forces were
epcamped In the vicinity OF Bunker Hill and
StepheDsons Depot, resolved to mass hll
forces on the Winchester and Berryville Pike,
and by rapid movement hurl them on Eariy'a
There IL no doubt but the enemy were COM
pIeteIy surprissd and outmaneuvered by Sher.
narcsed 10 the appointed place Of rendezvous,
q portion OF he cavalry under Generals Tor.