The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-10-15
GEN. sHERIDAN,s OPERATIONS.


at the northern end or mouth of the Shen-
andoah Valley, driving him from Opequan
Creek through Winchester and beyond the
town. We captured 2, 500 to 5000 pris-
oners. Eve pieces of artillery, fifteen battle
flags and all the rebel wounded and dead.
Their wosnded in Winchester amounted to
some 3,oe9. On Thursday. Sept. 22d, he
succeeded n bringing the flying Early to
bay, and thoroughly defeated him a second
Tins, sas iisieF's Hill, south Of strasburg.
Here is Gen. Sheridan's account of it:
HDQEs. II N. DIV, SIX MILES FROM " ooDsTocK,)
ll:S0 p. m, Thursday, Sept. %, 1864.
Liem Gen. Grant Commanding tie armies
Of the U. s., City Point.
I have the honor to announce that l
achieved a most signal victory over the ar
my of General Early at Fishers Hill, to-
day. 1 found the rebel army posted with
it's right resting on the north fork of the
Shenandoah, and extending across the Stras-
burg Valley westward to North Mountain,
occupying position which appeared almost
impregnabIe After a great deal Of maneu-
vering during the day, Gen. Crooks COM
mand was transferred TO the extreme right
of the line on North Mountain, and he fu-
riously attacked the left of the enemy's line.
carrying everything before him. While
Crook was driving the enemy in the great
est confusion and sweeping down behind
their breastworks, the 9th and 10Th Army
corps attacked the rebel works in front, and
the whole army appeared broken up. They
fed in the utmost confusion. Sixteen
pieces of artillery were captured also a
great many caiesons, artillery horses, etc.
am tonight pushing on down the val
ley.
I cannot say how many prisoners I have
captured, nor DO know either my own or
the enemy's casualties. Only darkness has
saved the whole of Early's army from total
destruction.
My attack could not be made till O'Clock
in the evening, which left but little daylight
to operate in. The lst and Cd cavalry d.
visions went down the Luray Valley to day /;
and if they push on vigorously to the main
valley the result of this days engagement
will be still more signal. The victory was
very complete. A more detailed report will
be made as soon as I can obtain the neces-
sary data. P. H. SHERIDAN,
Maj. Gen. Commanding.
The n. 7. Tribune's special CORES
pondent furnishes the following details OF
this battle:
WINCHESTER. Va, Sept. "a, 1864.
Victory still perches on our banners in
the Valley. The choicest troops in the
rebel service, including the famous corps
which did so. much to make the reputation
of Stonewall Jackson, is now disorgsnized.
shattered body, flying post-haste to Lynch
burg.
Large numbers have thrown down their
arms and scattered in the mountains or
sought to make their way homeward.
Such as were recruited in the Valley have
nearly all made haste to transform them
selves into farmers again. What remains
OF the rebel army of the Shenandoah is an
uncomfortable mass-but partially organ
lied and totally unit for fighting purposes
The official bulletins must for the most
part have told how AL this was done.
can only hope to add few details to the
narrative.
On Wednesday night Gen. Sheridan re-
solved to attack the rebel position of Fish
er's Hill. The plan of attack was as fol-
lows:
The 9Th Army Corps, under General
Crook, was to move to the right toward
North Mountain, the extreme left of the
rebel line, and attack the rebel left flank,
and, If possible, gain their rear. Ricketts,
division, of the 9Th corps. vas to join
Crook on the left, while Wheaton's and
Getty's divisions of the same corps were
TO form the center. The 18th corps were
10 hold the left of the line.
On Wednesday afternoon, about hail.
past three O'Clock, Crook, after a rapid and
difficult march, struck the rebel left flank,
and threw one of his divisions in their rear.
By magnificent charge. the men cheering
as they advanced on the double quick. the
rebel left wing 0as driven in confusion on
the ceelUer, which, at the same time, was
charged By the 9Th and 18Th corps in front.
This combined attack in front, flank and
rear, was more than rebel flesh and blood
could stand. Their left and center became
confused and disorganized, aud the whole
rebel army broke and ran, abandoning ar
tillery, caissons, horses, small arms, Ia fact
everything that~could possibly impede them
in their retreat. Their rout was most COM
plete. About twenty-five hundred of them
u no were bemmed in, threw down their
arms and surrendered. The rest fled pell-
nell toward Woodstock. The road between
the battlefield and the latter place was lit
erly stTewn with muskets, knapsacks, hav-
ersacks, and almost every species of prop
erty known in the army.
Our losses in the attack were small, con
sidering the strength of the position at
tackled and the advantages gained. do
not think they. will exceed seven hundred
In sli, which falls principally on the th
corps aud on Ricketts, division of the 6th.
The rebels were evidently taken by sur
prise by the assault on their left, which
they deemed impreguable to attack, and