Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-10-20
WAR DEPARTMENT, !

WASHINGTON CITY, Oct 20-1O30 a. m.
Major General Dig, NeD York:
Another great battle was fought yesterday at
Cedar Greek, threatening at first great disaster,
out finally resulting in victory for the Union
forces under General Sheridan, more splendid
than any heretofore achieved.
The Department was advised yesterday eve
ming Of the commencement of the battle by the
following kilograms:
"RRCTORTowN, VA, P. NJ, Oct. 10, 1861
aMajor Gen. II. ". Halleck, Chief of STAFF
"Heavy cannonading has recommended in the
Valley, and is new going on.
sc. g. Augur, Major General"
"HARPRR's FERRY, VA, Oct. 10, 1s6i-6iO
P. Million. Edacin N. Stanton, Secretary Of
Var :-.sFiring at front has been continuous
during the day. The direction seemed at in
tervals to be to left Of Winchester, if at Ber-
rvs Ferry. No news from front.
"JNo. ID. STEVENSON, Brigader Gen1."
CHARTERS FERRY, S.45 p. m, Oct 49, 196i.-
Hon. E. II. Stanton, Secretary Of War: The enc
my attacked our army with great impetuosity
this morning at daylight. The attack was
made on left of Eighth Corps, and was at first
successful, they capturing some guns, prison.
ers and wagons. Our line was reformed, and
heavy fighting continued through the day.
"Sheridan, reported at Winchester this morn
ing, went out to the front. The particulars
received are not official, and are not favorable,
though no serious disaster could have occurred
without direct news from Sheridan.
sRespectfully,
"JNo. ID. STEVENSON, Brig. Gen."
Matters remained in the doubtful state rep.
resented by the foregoing kilograms, until this
morning, at half-past nine, when the following
telegram was received, unofficially reporting
x,;ofo hxyS
"HARPER's FERRY, VA, Oct 90, IS64.-Hon
Ed,cin NJ. Stanton, Secretaryof War: News from
Sheridan's headquarters at midnight, to the
effect that the enemy surprised our forces yes
terday morning, driving the command in some
confusion this side Of Newton, capturing artils
lery and prisoners.
"Sheridan arrived on the field, reorganized
our forces, and drove the enemy beyond Stras-
burg, capturing, it is reported, forty three
pieces Of artillery, one hundred wagons q Id
ambulances. and 1900 prisoners. Rout of en-
envy said to be complete. This is not official,
but think reliable.
81. ID. STEVENSON, Brig. Gen."
A few minutes later the following official re-
port Of his victory was received from Major
General Sheridan:
"CEDAR GREEK, 10 p. M, Oct. 10, 1891
Lieut.. Gen. Grant, CITY Point: have the honor
tackled this morning before daylight and my
left was turned and driven in confusion. In
fact, most of the line was driven in confusion,
with the loss of twenty pieces OF artillery.
fastened from Winchester, where 1 was on
my return from Washington, and found the
armies between Middletown and Newtown
having been driven back about four miles. l
here took the affair in hand, and quickly
united the Corps, formed compact line of
battle just in time to repulse an attack of the
enemy, which was handsomely done at p m.
AT p. IN, after some changes of the cav
airy from the left to the right flank, attacked
with great vigor, driving and routing the enc
my, capturing, according to last report, forty
three pieces OF artillery and very many pris-
oners. l 60 not yet know the number Of my
casualties, or the losses Of the enemy. Wagon
trains, ambulances, and caisons in large num-
bers are in our possession. They also burned
some of their trains. Gen. Ramseur is a pris.
oner in our hands, severely anu perhaps NOR
tally wounded.
81 have to regret the loss of General Bid
will, Killed, and Generals Wright, Grover
and Ricketts, wounded Wright slightly
wounded. Affairs at the time looked badly,
hut, by the CALAMITY of our brave officers and
meA, disaster has been converted into a splen-
did victory. Darkness again interviewed to
shut off greater results. / now occupy Stras-
burg. AS soon as obtained, will send you
further particulars.
up. H. SHERIDAN, Major General"
The battle was fought on the same day 10th
of the month"; that witnessed Sheridan's victo.
ry in September. What forces and their num-
Der were opposed to General Sheridan, are not
yet reported to the Department, but the bold
ness, vigor, and success Of the attack strongly
indicate that heavy reinforcement had been
sent from Richmond, with the expectation of
fulfilling Longstreet's boast to smash up Sher-
idan. Longstreet was known to be in the val
ley, and had assumed command of the rebel
army, and confident hopes OF an overwhelming
disaster to the Union army, were boastfully ex-
pressed for several days back by the rebel au
thorities in Baltimore and Washington.
E. NJ. STANTON. Secretary of War.