The New York herald., 1864-09-22
Shertdan's Victory and Pursuit-Its Eff
feet on the NItIitAry Stu ntion.


General sherdan's pursuit of Early is likely
to be as effective as his recent vic ory was
complete. He has rot only sent the enemy
"whirling through Winchester" but he is
whirl ing them on towards Staunton at q most
pitless rate. Early fought till night on Mon
day, and doubtless marched his men all Monday
night. All day Tuesday Sheridan's cavalry
must have been at Earlys heels; for on Tues
day at three p N. Sheridan was crossing a
| stream thirty miles south Of where the battle
| began on Monday. Such pursuit continued
| through two OF three days, might very probably
end in the complete dispersion OF Early's force,
and leave Sheridan without an opponent aud
with an open road TO Lynchburg. Sheridan
has plenty of cavalry; ana no man in the coun-
try knows better how to use that arm, 80 aw-
fully efficient. for just such service as is now
required of. it in the valley. Indeed Major
General Sheridan will now in all probability
show as no one has hitherto shown in this war,
bow much an energetic pursuit can accomplish
toward the absolute destruction Of beaten
army
Our victories in August and September
make our record for those two months one of
almost unparalleled splendor. Lee beaten
three times in many desperate attempts to
drive Grant from the Weldon road; Hood
beaten three times in his attempts to break
Sierman's advance, and a fourth time in the
decisive battle that gave us possession OF At
lanta; our triumphs at Mobile, and, finally.
Sheridan's magnificent success in the valley
all these make a series OF victories that are the
surest guarantee the people can have Of peace.
But Sheridan's victory is something even bet
ter than the splendid climax to this splendid
series. 1t is victory whose effects upon the
situation at Petersburg will be immediate and
| great. and il is one that shows us exactly how
\ distinct is General Grants grasp Of the whole
situation in Virginia. Sheridan, as we have
repeatedly shown, could have beaten Early a
/ month ago as easily as he did on Monday last;
but Grant was not ready for the victory then.
He used the valley to amuse Lee, and when
that amusement was no longer necessary to his
purpose he made Lee pay for it. He has been
ahead Of Lee at every step, and is still ahead /;
tor il will doubtless prove that Sheridan 8
battle has been exactly timed for its effect else
where than on the immediate field where it
was fought.
That effect will be seen in the triangle com
prsed between Richmond, Petersburg and
| Lynchburg. Sheridan pushing Early toward
! Staunton, or beyond 1t, toward Lynchburg,
will very imperatively divide the attention that
Lee now gives to Grant. Lee will then be in a
/ very uncomfortable dilemma. II he sends out
any force to stay Sherdan-to save Early and
| Lynchburg-Grant will take that opportunity
\ TO get the last OF Lees railroads. If he does not
| send ont such force, Sheridan may very prob,
| ably get hold Of the same railroad at its Lynch.
J burg end; and so, in either event, Lee mus,
get away from Richmond--if he can For all
| this to be soon done IL is necessary that Lee
should not be reinforced by the veterans under
Hood, whom Sherman has for little time left
idle Sherman's truce expires to-day. and 1t is to
| be hoped that be may Immediately assume active
operations again. IL for no other purpose than
I to keep Hood's men out Of Lees army.
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