Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-09-30
THE EVENING STAR.
LATE NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.


Rebel Accounts of the Battle of Fishers
Bill-The Defeat of Gen. Early Admit
ted-His Retreat to keeZletown-Com.
ments Of the kis inrD, a, s,a"n, a
War in Georgia-Jeh Davis in Macon.
From Richmend papers Of Monday, 26th in
slant
Th. Rattle of Fishers Hill, Sept. 90.
0TiciaI dispatches received at Richmond on
the p3d state that the Union army attacked Gen.
Early late on Thursday at Fishers Hill, and
succeeded in forcing back t h, ,sts OF MS ne
ing him to abandon the position, leaving 12
pieces of cannon in Sheridsn's hands.
The Examiner of Monday says:
uTbe Official news, published above, was
sufficiently astonishing tor one day. after the
public had become pretty we'll assured that no
further retrograde would be made, the assur-
ance arising from the known strength Of the
position selected by Gen. Early. 1t seems,
however, that the enemy so largely outnum-
bered our forces, especially in cavalry, the IA
position awaited nothing against an over
whelming flank movement. Our cavalry,
weakened by their lesses on Monday. were In
no condition on Thursday to resist treble their
numbers, moved against them, and gave way,
thus exposing the rear Of the position at Fish
er's Hill.
place and a rapid retreat upon New Market,
In Shenandoah, where Gen. Early is said to
nave determined once to make a stand. But
the enemy continuing TO press him in front and
hank, he fell back on Friday to Harrisonburg,
and on Sunday passed through Port Republic
and stopped at post station known as Keezle.
town, about thirteen miles from Staunton, and
six from Port Republic, on the road between
the Valley turnpike and the South river road.
The entire movement was made without what
may be termed fight, Gen. Early deeming it
better strategy to avoid one than to risk one
under the circumstances. On Friday, how.
ever, thanking party from Sheridans forces
having penetrated the Page Valley, with view
to retard any reinforcements that might have
been on the route to Early from that direction,
was encountered by force OF our ca valry and
whipped. AT last accounts, on yesterday,
Early was still at KeezIetown, where it was
believed he would make a stand, although
many fears were naturally expressed that he
would continue his-retreat.
Editorial Com ents on Early's Defeat
All the Richmond papers comment on Ear
Iy's defeat by Sheridan.
Rom the Richmond Enquirer of Sept 26th.l
Gen. Early has been forced back from Fish
er's Hill with the loss of twelve pieces OF ar
tillery. The enemy are following up their sue
cesses in the Valley with great vigor. Sheridan
is determined not TO permit this opportunity to
slip by without making the most of it.
There seems to have been bad management in
these affairs in the Valley. The duty of ascer-
tanning this, and taking steps to retrieve our
fortunes, is with General Lee. As it could not
be entrusted to abley and better hands, it is not
necessary for the people to be over anxious or
very unhappy. For three years our fortunes
have rested upon his broad shoulders and,
under Providence, he has brought our cause
through. He has been heavily reinforced by
Tue report duty Lieut.. Genordl Long
street, that sold war horse who elected the
embrace OF General Lee on the field of Sharps-
burg. Longstreet comes back most opportunity
to rectify affairs in the Valley. Want Of CO.
operation, more than the preponderating num-
Ders OF the enemy, has caused the late disasters
In the Valley. The presence of two Lieutenant
Generals, the one not subordinate to the other,
but Intended to cooperate, has prevented when
there should have been concentration The
presence OF Longstreet in the Valley would
restore unity to the command and check the
advance of the NOtUifhstqndfnu no
losses sustained in the late disasters, if some
OF the worthless horsemen that have been
routed by the enemy, could be brought to the
trenches at Petersburg, and their places sup
piled by real cavalry, all our reverses may be
repaired, and the Valley preserved, if not re-
claimed 10 the banks Of the Potomac.
From the first year Of the war the Va lley of
Virginia has been the scene OF just such events
as are Transporting there at present. General
driven back, and again advanced and retreat
ed. Gen. Sigel marched up and was whipped
back; Hunter after complete victory of Jones,
penetrated to the defenses Of Lynchbarg, and
was hurled back, broken, routed and ruined.
Sheridan has now begun the same perilous
role, and the same fate will befall him. Meth
er party can permanently hold the Valley. Its
low end Is so near the enemys country that re-
Inducements can more readily reach their army
than can be sent to ours, while its upper end
enables us to concentrate more rapidly upon
them. Thus we are driven up the Valley to
turn and drive them down Thus the events
OF the Valley are mere episodes in the war; they
have their effects upon both parties; they elate
and depr ess, but they do not permanently in
jure or destroy. Our people became elated by
success, and they sink down to the deepest de-
preston upon the first disaster.
From the Richmond Examiner, Sept. 26th.]
Everything conspires to prove the settled de-
sign OF the enemy to make desperate and final
campaign against Richmond before winter
Sheridan has been so strongly reinforced il
fensive against the small force under Early,
and has succeeded in pushing him back first
from Winchester, and secondly from the
strong position at Fishers Hill. There is no
necessity TO blame Gen. Early, still less the
troops under his command, who are known to
be as good fighting material as any other in the
army. The whole truth is that Sheridan's re-
Inducements were poured In suddenly, and
that Gen. Early found himself very much out
numbered.
There is considerable excitement amorg the
citizens Of Stanton, and many are leaving.
All the sick and wounded and Government
stores have been removed to place of safety.
will avail him nothing. He will hardly adj
vance further this way. The Valley has, since
the beginning OF the war, been race. ground.
Sheridan has reached the hither end Of the
course, and If he does not "pull up ct his own
accord he will be "pulled."
From Georgia.
We limited on Saturday that an arrangement
was being perfected in Georgia which, if sue.
cessful, IL was hoped would make Sherman
extremely uncomfortable. 1t was reported
yesterday that Hoods army was in Sherman's
rear udt Is, between MIN ana CHATTANOOGA.
President Davis arrived at Macon, Ga, on
the 22d September. He made speech at the
Baptist Church. He is going to Gen. Hoods
army.-Rich. Wing.
From Southwes tern Virginia.
We have authentic information that q large
force Of mounted Yankees are collected at
Pound Gap with intent to make raid on the
Virginia Salt Works. This force is we pre-
sumo, the same that, two weeks ago, were at
Lexington. Kentucky. They number about
$4,000.
From East Tennessee
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIR-
GINIA.-Hon. ]. A. Seldom, Secretary OF War:
Gen. Echols reports that on the 22d General
Vaughan attacked the enemy at Blue Springs,
Tennessee, and drove them seven miles into
their intrenchments at Bulls Gap, killing and
wounding several and taking some prisoners.
Our troops be b aved we'll
(Signed) r. E. LEE.
C6O SEVENTH STREET 0GO