The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-30
UTTER R0UT AND DEM0RALIZA-
TON OF EARLYS ARMY.
Sixteen Guns and 10000 Prison
ers in Our Hands.
The Number of Prisoners Cap
tured within Thirty Days
will amount to 10000.
RESIGNATION OF POSTMASTER
GENERAL BLAIR.
Further Rumors of Peace Ne
gotiations.
BY TELEGRAPH

Further Rumors of Peace Ne
gotiations.
FROM SHERIDAN'S ARMY.
Utter Generalization OF aEarly's
Force.
BALTIMORE, Sept. 26.-The Americaa's cor
respondent with Sherman contains some addi-
tional facts in regard to the battle of Fishers
Hill. Early had boosted to the citizens of the
surrounding country that he could hold
his position against any force the enemy
might bring against him, and if Sheridan
would only remain few days in his position
he would stake his reputation upon capturing
his whole army.
Probably he expected reinforcements by way
of Culpepper, and moving down the Valley get
in Sheridan's rear; but Sheridan has spoiled
his plans by capturing his stronghold at Fish
er'S Hill, and again putting his army to flight.
Where he will again make stand with the re-
mains of his scattered and demoralized army
God only knows, for his men are in no condi-
ton to encounter our victorious boys, who for
the last four days could whip more than double
the number Of the enemy.
The degree of decentralization to which Ear
ly's command has arrived may be judged from
the following facts:
Among the 5000 prisoners captured in
Thursdays fight, was Colonel commanding a
brigade, who when captured. exclaimed 1.-THE
Confederacy is gone to hell the meh won't
fight any more!"
Another circumstance worth considering was
related by the citizens of Woodstock who SYM
pathized with the rebels, and who are perfectly
reliable, as they could have no interest in mis-
stating facts. They stated that q number of
rebel soldiers passed through Woodstock on
Thursday and told some Of their sick COM
rades that they had better push on as the
Yanks had arrived opposite Fishers Hill and
From dispatches captured on a Confederate
staff officer, it appears that Early was in
structed by Lee to hold the valley at all hax-
ards. How he expects to fulfill his instruc-
lions with his whipped and demoralized crowd
Is more than we can see. It is stated that the
number of prisoners captured within the past
thirty days will number $4,000. No fear need
any considerable force on Sheridan's rear.
NKw York, Sept. 26.-Citizens of Stanton
state that Early did not reach there with one
third of his original command.
ReinfOrcements sent Sheridan from this vi
cinity have reached Strasburg Many of the
rebel wounded who hid away among the citi-
Gems of that village had been handed over to
our troops.
NEW YORK, Sept. N.-The Heralds special at
Sheridan's headquarters, oath, says, from the
defeat at Winchester, Early withdrew his force
to Fishers Hill, leaving most Of his wounded
of the battle of the 10th and those which had
accumulated from the various combats of
Crooks and Averill in onr hands.
At Fishers Hill he rested his right upon the
Maesanatlan Mountain and his left upon North
Mountain, having bis front about three miles
in length, covered by strong natural or arti-
fical defences.
His right, which was about mile in advance
of his left, was considered almost up. On
the 21st most important position in front of
the enemys centre was gained by Wright's
corps. On the 22d the main attack was begun
by strong demonstration by the enemy's
troops on Early's right about noon or q little
later.
Ricketts, division of the 9Th corps advanced
and secured some important heights in front
OF the centre, while Averills division of cavalry
attacked and drove the enemy at q gallop from
his advanced position on his left one mile back
into his main works, and held him there while
Crooks corps, which had been concealed dur
ing the day, WAS transferred in the rear of Az
erills division to the enemy's rear and left. At
8 r. NJ. Crook and Averill storlned and carried
the works of the enemy, the cavalry leaping
over the entertainments, which were held by
the 18th corps, while Averin swept along the
UbeC u NOxku MOuuIt4u lOI bCvcu muCS. h6
captured IT'S cavalry horses, four caissOns, four
teen wagons, eight ambulances and number
Of fugitives.
The enemy, having probably learned of the
force upon his right and rear, had commenced
leaving his position some two hours before our
attack. His departure wds hasty. He was
compelled to leave sixteen guns and over
10. 600 prisoners in our hands.
Yesterday morning the pursuit OF the enc
my was promptly continued by our cavalry and
he was fonnd IN position at Mount jackson,
twenty five miles south Of Fishers Hill, where
he seems disposed to offer o stubborn resist.
ance.
Yesterday morning Early's rear was over
taken by Gen. Averill with cavalry division
the town Of Mount jackson, where his entire
force was found In position. Major Laddy,
commanding battalion was captured with sew
eral privates.
Our cavalry pressed the enemy with great
vigor and success until Averiu brought an In
fantry division with artillery. They held them
IN check until the arrival of the 9Th corps,
which found them in the same position. This
morning they offered stubborn resistance.
Gen. Averin was relieved from duty with his
division this morning and granted leave of abb
sence for twenty days. This order has caused
universal feeling of amazement In this army,
and it is generally thought some question Of
rank between Averill and Gen: Tor6ett is In.
volyed, the former being ranking officer, but
the latter Is chief of cavalry of this division.
There is prospect of an engagement in tho
ront.
INVASION OF MISSOURI.
The Commercial has the following special
from Washington to-day: 1t has been known
by the War Department for some time that the
rebels in the TRANSIT Mississippi Department
were making preparations to invade Missouri
with formidable force. Preparations have
command Of $4,000 men were sent up from
Memphis to counteract this very important
movement. Other troops have also been quiet
ly concentrated at different points.