Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-10-28
TELEGRApHIC.
REPORTED EXPRESSLY FOR THE JoURNAL.1
GREAT BATTLE ON
THE SHENANDOAH.

| General Sheridan has his troops vel
in hand on the northwest side of Cedar
Creek, the rebels having fallen back tt
Fishers Hill, in the rear of Strasburg
which town is now occupied by oul
skirmishers.
Residents of Strasburg say that on
Wednesday night last larger force OF
rebels passed through that town than
they had ever before seen. This doubt
less gave, rise to the report that Long
street had been heavily reinforced with
both infantry and artillery. At General
Sheridan's headquarters it is not be.
lieved that they have received any
infantry reinforcements, but the large
number of cOnvalescents recently cap.
tured by Sheridan renders the latter
part of the report very probable.
To-day our skirmish line was again
| advanced, and the rebels fell slowly
back, after exchanging a few shots with
| our advance guard.
The whole command, notwithstand.
ing their heavy marches, are in excel.
lent health and fine spirits, and are
anxious to fight again.
Another correspondent of the 14th
says: On the right of the army line
General Custar this morning, soon after
daylight, made reconnaissance of the
enemy's positions and strength, by ad
vancing three regiments across Cedar
Creek at Cupp's Mill, near the back road
and close to North Mountain. After
pressing forward about two miles and a
half it was ascertained to a certainty
that the rebels had fallen back for con-
siderable distance during the previous
night. On the way out, we skirmished
with small parties of the enemy's mount
OIL fnrnn hnt with lo{n i
opposition.
We also passed place where it was
evident there had been fire the early
part of the evening before.
The Hcrald's Front Royal correspon-
dent of the 18th says the line of commu-
nication between Gen. Sheridau's head
quarters and Gen. Auger's, whose head
quarters are on the line of the Manassas
Gap Railroad, is open without molesta-
ton Or interri ption. The opening and
the Keeping open of the Manassas Gap
railroad line the rebels look upon as a
greater victory than any heretofore
gained by the army in the Shenandoah
Valley. The Importance of what we
have gained in the respect mentioned
cannot now be explained to the public.
The people at home cannot well appre-
ciate its magnitude.
The Secretary of War has issued an
order thanking Gen. Sheridan, his Off
GERS and men for their brilliant victory.
The Herald's correspondent gives the
following particulars of Col. Powell's
cavalry raid in Luray Valley. Their
worst adventure was with a guerrilla
rendezvous, where they surprise.! the
guard and captured the army wag-
ons. The stores captured were valued
nf / f1,n
destroyed, and while in the act soldier
was secured by citizens and murdered
by cutting his throat. Subsequently
two Of Mosby's men were captured and
shot TO death, in retaliation.
The same day a government tannery
was destroyed, in which there was
$500, 900 worth of leather, and they
seized 5000 head of cattle. From New
Market to Woodville the country was
laid waste, as, also, in the circuit to
Madison, from Washington back to
Lauray; ; thence the command proceed
ed to Front Royal, where all the barns
for four miles, and their contents were
destroyed. On the route, Col. Powell!
heard that McCaustard, with cavalry.
was near, and he gave chase; but beng
encountered with a heavy train could
not OVertake him.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-Sberidan
whipped Longstreet at Cedar Greek yes
terday, capturing As pieces of artillery
and many prisoners.
WAE DEPARTMENT., WASHINGTON,
Oct. 20-l0:45 a. m.-To Gen. Dix A
great battle was fought and a splendid
victory won by Sheridan over Long
street, yesterday, at Cedar Creek. For
ty-three pieces of artillery were captur-
ed, and many prisoners, among whom
was the rebel General Ramsey.
On our side Generals Wright and
Bidwell, of Buffalo, killed.
Tho particulars, as soon as received,
will be furnished as fast as the operator
can transmit them.
[Signedl E. NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
The following is Sheridan's official
cedar Creek. Oct. le-10:aO p. m.-To
Lieut., Gen. Grant II have The honor
to report that my army at Cedar Creek
was attacked this morning before day.
light, and my left was turned and driv-
EN- in confusion with a loss of 20 pieces
of artillery,
l. @-tsSCCACO w luCucSlcI, WueEC
was on my return from Washington,
town and NewtOwn, having been driv-
en- back about four miles. 1 here took
the affair in hand and quickly united
the corps for compact line OF battle in
time to repulse an attack of the enemy,
which Waa done handsomely at about l
p. IA.
At o'clock P. NJ, after some changes |
Of the cavalry from the left to the right |
1ank, attacked with great vigor, driv-
ng and routing the rebels, capturing |
according to last report 43 pieces of ar
,illery and very many prisoners.
[ do not know yet the number of cas-
1alties or losses of the enemy. Wagon
rains, ambulances and cassions in large |
numbers were in our possession, They |
,lso burned some of their trains.
Gen. Ramsey is a prisoner in our
hands, severely and mortally wounded.
l have to report the loss of Gen. Bide-
veil, killed, and Generals Wight, Gro
yer and Rickett wounded. Wight is |
lightly wounded.
Affairs at times looked badly, but by
he gallantry Of our brave officers and
men, disaster has been converted into a
plendid victory. Darkness again in
ervened to shut off greater results.
[ now occupy Strasburg. AS soon as
'btained, 1 will send you further par
iculars.
(Signed) P. S. SHERIDAN,
Major General.
The battle was fought on the same day
the 10Th of the month-of Sheridan's
'ictory in September. What the num-
'ers were OPPOSED to Sheridan, are not
'et reported to the department, but the
,old Vigor and success of the attack
trongly indicate that heavy reinforce
nent had been sent from Richmond
With the expectation of fulfilling Long
treet's boast to "smash up Sheridan"
4ongstreet was known to he in the val
ey, and had assumed command of the
rmy, and confirmed hopes of an over
!, boi 10 u diSaStar to the IIni0n arnau |