Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-11-26
FROM THE SHENANDOAH

FROM THE SHENANDOAH.
Sheridan's Cavalry again Engaged-A Six
Hours Fisht-SuCCess OF our KeconnoIs-
Sance.
We learn, by correspondence from the Shen-
andoah, that Gen. Sherdan's cavalry have had
another very spirited and successful engage
ment with Early's army. On Monday last
the three divisions of Union cavalry in the
Valley, under Custer, Powell and Devin, com :
meneed movement for the purpose Of ascer-
tanning the rebel position and strength Dew
marched up the Luray Valley, and the other
TWO divisions pushed directly up the Shenan-
doah Valley, meeting and driving before them
small parties of rebels.
No resistance of importance was met with
until, on Tuesday, tine main army of the en-
envy, consisting of about Is, 900 infantry and a
division OF cavalry, was found at Rood,s Hull
position almost as strong as Fishers Hill
Fighting Immediately commenced, and was
continued for six hours, being, during the
greater part OF the time, quite severe. Early
mace repeated attempts TO flank Custer and
I !S" IN an OF which he failed Some mag
innocent charges were made by the Union cav
airy The rebels showed little spirit during
the engagement After gaining SUFFICIENT in
ioInauoh OF Eariys strength, objects and
tire ~ ie-
Some feeble attempts to follow and annov
mem were made, but without any success to
the enemy, and Custer and Powell returned
down the valley with their commands in safe.
ty, having lost altogether, in killed, wounded,
and missing, only about sixty men.
Inc following from q letter in the Herald is
interesting:
POwell's Charge
Inc proper time arriving, and all being ready
Powelrs entire division charged As il did So
the enemy opened fire from two sections OF ar
tillery and his infantry and cavalry, and, be-
sides, commenced advancing. Our men were
so close that several of the enemy's shells burst
IN our formed lines, but, strange to relate did
not do any remarkable in Jury.
The Enemy Moves-The Action General
AS the enemy continued to advance down the
MIL we mad plain view of at least $4,000 in
fantry, and division or more of cavalry. The
enemy made several attempts 10 charge our
men and turn the right flank of the troops on
the pam. but IL each attempt was met and
checked with promptitude
All of sudden heavy fire was opened
from the woods by the rebel cavalry on that
side. Gen Custer at once comprehended what
was mp, and ordered Col Pennington to hold
the position at all hazards, which he did al
TINS time Gen. Chapman's brigade was held in
reserve TO support the artillery and protect the
ambulance and headuuarter trains On the
right OF Poweil's line in the course of the gem
eral charge, one brigade had to move over
ploughed field. Here 1t was that Major Glib
SOD, OF the 1ith Pennsylvania. while gaIlantly
leading that regiment, received what NAV pos
sleIy prove 10 be serious in iury in consequence
OF his horse slipping and falling with him
while in the act of leaping ditch.
The heaviest part OF the fighting was on our
right where at one time the enemy on the west
side Of the Shit nandoah got in cross fire on
those on the plain. Quite rapid aud heavy
firing On beth sides now commenced, and was
continued tor a long time afterwards.
Our men repulsed every charge of the enc
my's cavalry on our right, on both sides of
the river. In fact, not only Early's cavalry,
but also his whole. army acted cowardly ON
this occasion. The idea OF general using
his whole army to drive off two small Glyi-
sions of cavalry! Had Early remained per.
fectiy quiet, and let us run right into the midst
OF his infantry. he could have gained an i'm
mense advantage but then, again, had we got
ten into the midst OF his infantry there is no
telling but that we might have stampeded his
whole army: and guess so thought Early, for
although he knew our force, be took good
care that we should not get on speaking terms
with him
Early's Position and Strength Discovered,
Our Forces II etIre.
having now gained our point, and developed
the enemy's strength in full, We commenced
slowly TO retire on the left, the right Of our
line scattering and skrmishing heavily, and
then advancing in three lines. AT one time
our position was anything but safe one; in
fact, had the enemys cavalry not been driven
back by the daring OF our men, we would GER
talnly have lest over 3C0prisoners.
Capbarts brigade recrossed the river first
in excellent order. Tibbett's brigade followed.
The men OF his brigade skirmished to the very
last min ute. and kept the enemy from approach
ing them too rapidly for the safety of the COM
maEd.
All our command having recrossed the river,
the enemy's cavalry made dash to the left,
and soon afterwards made their appearance
well upon our right flank.
General Custer now undertook to check the
enemy here, which he did most emphatically.
He was so successful that the rebel cavalry
feared to get more than very short distance
from their advancing and supporting infantry
lines.
After this quite spirited fighting ensued, ex
tending from the Shenandoah river where IL
crosses the pike back almost to Edinburg. At
times General Rosser's flag and General Gus
ter's colors wee within stones throw OF each
other.
In going back General Custer took the right,
and General Powell the left Of the pike, while
General ToIbert went on ahead with two bril-
gades TO select position from which to charge
the enemJ's cavalry, should the same follow
up. The position referred to was taken, but
the enemy, very judiciousiy for him, did not
continue the pursuit,