The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-21
= N DitII mo y = " 10
FROM SHERIDAN'S ARMY,

NEW YORK, OcL. lS.--Ihe caution Sheridan
has shown in this campaign has been nowhere
more strongly evinced than in this affair of
last Wednesday. 'o''-
The HeralPs correspondent says early In the
morning the rebels appeared on our front in
the woods and along the hills south of Cedar
Creek. Their presence caused Gen. Sheridan
to use the caution he has so often exhibited
in his movements. Shortly after noon to-day
the enemy suddenly opened heavy artillery
fire from a position on the Strasburg Pike,
directing it on the front occupied by the 10th
corps, and diagonal fire on the LIST division
Of Gen. Crooks army of West Virginia, which
occupied position in o piece of woods at the
base of the north point of Massanuit Mountain,
on our extreme LETT The fire of the enemy
was rapid, the shot and shell falling directly
into the camp of Gen. Crooks LIST division,
which caused them to retire a little rapidly.
Our artillery, under its Chief, Capt. Dupont.
front of our position and commenced lively
reply to the enemy, causing him, after brisk
cannonade, to retire with his guns.
A portion Of the 18th corps advanced in
line Of battle from their camps to feel the
enemy which they did in good order-while
Col, ThOrburn's division of Crooks command
broke camp and advanced along and to the
left of the Strasburg Pike. Our troops adyanc-
ed under cover of the fire of our guns and
moved with celebrity. They had not proceed
ed far when they became hotly engaged with
the enemy's infantry who were found occupy
ing secure places among the wooded hills.
The musketry fire was very sharp and lasted
for nearly three hours.
The LIST brigade LIST division, commanded by
Col. Wells and 34th Massachusetts, moving on
the left of the Pike were holly engaged during
enemy repeatedly, stood their ground nobly.
While this brigade was engaged, and heavily
pressed, Col. Wells fell MORALLY wounded
the ball passing through his left lung. He fell
into the hands of the enemy.s
1t became apparent as the firing was going
on that the demonstration on our left was for
the purpose of covering another movement,
to turn our position by fianking. Our infantry
front was changed so as to confront the rebel
route of march by order Of Gen. Sheridan, who
was in a position that covered the entire field
of operations. ..
Gen. Gustav commanding the Sd division of
cavalry was ordered to move from our left to
the right, and in the middle of the afternoon
met the enemy near ford on Cedar Creek.
He soon became engaged and by dark had
driven the enemy back. He established his
picket line on the east side of the creek, while
the enemy occupied the opposite bank. At
dark the artillery firing had ceased on both
sides.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct 18.-The Bulletin saysa
gentleman who left Winchester last Saturday
reports that there was good deal Of skirmish-
ing with guerrillas in the Valley but nothing
serious had occurred and supply trains were
moving regularly with strong escorts.
On Friday last Our pickets at Martinsburg
were driven in by a guerrilla force.
The eleven guns captured from the rebels by
Sheridan had arrived at Winchester and Friday
two more came in. They were formerly U. s.
guns and were probably obtained at the seiz-
ure of our arsenals sc. by the rebels. Sheri
dan was sending in large droves of captured
oxen, sheep, Sc. The destruction of mills
barns sc. was so that the rebels will no longer
be able to maintain themselves in the Valley.
A considerable force of our troops had been
sent to Front Royal to guard the railroad
which is to be opened tomorrow as far as the
Junction so as 10 secure communication with
Alexandria. The repairs of the road have al
ready been completed to Rectortown.