Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-09-30
Gen. Sheridan's Great Victory.
5000 PRISONERS CAPTURED.
WAR DEPARTMENT, !
Washington, Sept. 81.

ne department mas just received the
following telegram announcing the con-
tinued pursuit of the rebels by General
Sheridan. Cedar Greek, where Sheri-
dan was crossing at 3 o'clock p. M, yes
terday afternoon, is short distance this
side of Strasburg. He had pursued the
rebels over 80 miles from the point
where he attacked them at daylight on
Tuesday.
Harper's Ferry, Sept. 81.
To Hon. Z. NJ. Stanton:
Reliable news from the front is to the
effect that our army was crossing Cedar
Creek yesterday at 8, p. m. No fighting.
The following list of the rebel generals
killed and wounded is correct Gems.
Rhodes, Ramseur, Gordon, Terry, Bra
dy, johnson, Goodwin and Fitz Lee
From all can learn the prisoners will
approximate 5000. The indications are
that the rebels will not make a stand
short of Stanton. They are evidently
too much demoralized to make another
fight. j. D. STEVENSON,
Brig. Gen.
On the 21st information was received
that Sheridan had secured 5000 prison
ers, and that more were being added to
the number hourly.
The Herald's correspondent with Gen.
Sheridan, in bis account Of the great vic
tory says that the enemy was first met at
Darksville by Gen. Averill, who drove
in their pickets. AT the same hour, how
ever, brisk firing was heard on the left
Gen. Averill then formed his whole d.
vision and advanced, finding the enemy
in line of battle at Bunker Hill. They
proved to be Imboden's forces Of retreat
ing cavalry. Just as our artillery open
ed fire they scampered off in the most
ridiculous manner. Another advance
was made, and the enemy found near
Stevenson. Their artillery opened very
briskly, and was responded TO by Wier's
troops. Gen. Averill swung his force
around SO as to bring it upon the rear Of
the rebel artillery, and at the same time
our front pressed forward. Simulta-
neous with these movements a thanking
column was sent around to the left, when
the enemy became confused, and we
pressed forward, silencing the artillery,
and drove of the supporting infantry!
This movement effected junction of
Averill's and Custar's forces, who bad
crossed the creek higher up.
Ofthe grand cavalry charge this cor
respondent says; Averilrs division was
on the right of the pike, Merrilt's diVis-
ion on the left of it, Custar's brigade on
Merritt's right, and Pownell on the ex-
treme left. Thus formed, after going
mile or so, we found the enemy's cavalry
formed in line of battle. We advanced
to drive it in, when the enemy made
charge against our left centre, striking
full on Custar's front. AS this column
approached we prepared to meet it. Sa-
bres were drawn, and all was got ready.
On came the rebels, sabres flashing, and
with hideous yells scattered themselves,
so as to make their line of attack as
fierce as possible Just as they got up
within pistol range of Gustav, his bri-
gade gave one glorious yell, and went
forward recklessly upon the foe. Then,
too, the whole of Averil's line gave one
deafening,.roar, aud dashed forward TO
flank the attacking party. The rebels
could not stand this attack. They gave
way and in went our chargers, cutting
and slashing through the ranks. About
this time the cavalry line pitched on the
infantry line with undaunted bravery
Constant fighting, charging, &c, then
became frequent along the whole lire.-
AT one and the same time Shoemaker's
brigade and Averills division charged
and took the fortified bill 10 rear Of Win
chester.
Pownell's brigade Of the same division
was making and receiving charges under
a heavy artillery fire from Fort jack
son. Wier's artillery was engaged in
Smelling a redoubt in front of Winches-
ter. Shortly after AverilPs cavalry
AaDked the onemy's extreme left, and
occupied the summit Of the heights west
of Winchester. The enemy was turned
out of the works known as Star Fort
This was very damaging, and several eff
forts were made to retake it by the enc
my. As soon as Crooks infantry got 10
line to advance on the main fort, bril-
gade of Averill's cavalry was sent round
10 cut off the retreat Of the rebels, when
hey skedaddled in great haste. Very
soon after the rebels could be seen dash,
ing through the main streets, taking the