The New York herald., 1864-10-18
Our speoIal Army Correspondence.

O. A. DANA, Acting Secretary Of War.
Our speoInl Army Correspond enco.
ARMY or WEST VIRGINIA.
In THE FIELD, NEAR MppLErowN, Va, Oct IL, 1864.
General sherdans army retired from Harrsonburg to
this poInt leaving the enemy perigrnatng in the vci
nty OF Stauntop. Tho march was accomplished without
auy moestation from the rebels.
Reliable information to the effect that General Early
had been relieved his old army dsheartened and dsor
ganzed ordered to tho rear and their places sup
Piled by fresh troops from Richmond, among whom
were thirteen thousand Virginia state reserves the whole
under the command OF Lieutenant General Longstreet
we're sent confront General Sheridan. Tho affair at
Fishers Hin and the capture by our troops OF numerous
pieces artillery, ambulance and army wagons, was an
ausury that Longsreot TO have better success
than his predecessor but inspired pertinacty in The
rebel commander that will hereafter be demonstrated
For several days General Sheridan enjoyed quiet
In his camp here, but to-day the spell was
broken by spasmodic attempt BY the enemy to
do something to retrieve his first step In bad for
tune. Early this morning the rebels appeared on
our front 10 the woods and along the hills south Of
Cedar Their presence caused Gen. Sheridan 10 use
the caution he often exhibited with view to ascer
tain his adversary Shortly after noon to day
the enemy suddenly opened heavy artillery hre from
position s.rasburg pike, directing 1t the front.
occupied by the Nineteenth corps and diagonal fro on
the First division OF General Crooks Army Of West yr
gina which occupied position in piece OF woods at the
base Of the north point Of Massanun MountaiD on our
extrcme left Tho fire OF tho enemy was rapid the she'll
shot falling directly into the camp o, Gen. Crooks Frst
division which caused them 10 retire little to the rear
Our artillery Its Chief Captain Dupont, was soon
brought up stationed hills front Of position.
and commenced lively reply to the enemy, causing him
after brisk cannonadc, TO retro with his guns. o
portion OF the Nineteenth corps advanced In line Of
battle from their camps 70 feel tho enemy, which they
did In good ORDER while Colonel Thorburns division oi
Crooks command broke camp and advanced along 10
the left Of the s,rasbure pike. Our troops advsnosd
under ofthe ro OF and moved with celebrity
They had not proceeded for when they became holly
engaged with The enomy's Infantry, who were found
occupying secure places along the wooded hills thoy
occupied Tho musketry nre very sharp and lasted
for nearly threc hours.
The First brigade, First division commanded by Col.
welies, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts,, moving the
left OF the pike, hoty engaged during the entire
affair, aud although charged by tho enemy repeatedly
stood their ground nobly. While This brigade
gagged and heavily pressed Colonel Wellcs lo mortally
wounded the ball passing through his left lung He fell
| into tho hands OF the enemy.
Colonel Horbun, the commander OF the First
division OF Crooks crops, conspicuous the field
Major General Crook attended BY hs full stan,
the field during the entire engagement and personal
supervision OF tho disposition OF his troops.
The Nineteenth corps which occupied the position to
the right OF tho Strasburg piko showed good front
the enemy and assisted in reconnoterng the rebel posi-
ton detachment OF this corps advanced on the rebel
position and hoy engaged during the afternoon
Our cavalry, which wero In camp before the action
commenced the left Of the pike ordered to
front the enemy the latter changed his position.
It became apparent the firing going on that the
demonstration left for the purpose OF
ing another movement, which subsequently appeared
to be attempt TO turn position By flank
Ing. They moved heavy column OF troops
along the zigzag course and south OF Cedar
crock, concsang their movements by taking the
route through the woods Their route Of march oh
the middle road which was almost parallel with North
Mountain and at right angles with our line OF battle
Our Infantry front changed so as to confront the
rebel route Of march, By order Of General Sheridan who
was 10 position that covered the entire Geld OF opera
tons General Custer, commanding the Third division
OF cavalry, was ordered 10 from left to the
right and the middle Of the afternoon met the enemy AZ
ford Cedar creek He soon became engaged,
and by dark had driven the enemy back he cstab-
shed his picket line the east side OF the creek whe
the cnemy occupied tho opposite bank.
The First division OF cavalry, under General Merritt,
followed the Third division but did not get
engaged. At dark the artillery firing ceased on both
sides
This affair cannot properly be termed battle only
small portion Of army was engaged. II may pro.
perly be dignincd vigorous reconncssauce 10 force
The loss side was principally in General Crooks
army Of West Virginia. and will probably amount 70 two
hundred killed, wounded and missing The loss Of the
enemy 10 equal, II not in excess Of ours. Among the
olcors killed OF missing Lieutenant Dempsey, Of the
Thirty fourth Massachusetts, Volunteers; Lieutenant
soleiI Hundred and sixty fourth Ohio and Lsutsn
ant Co6b, Thirty fourth Nassachuscttsthe Iasicr 70
NAMED with Colonel wees after the latter was woundod
Tho Thirty fourth Massac husetts during the engage
msut gave another striking illustration Of their gaany
and soidiery qualities Tho second battalion Of the
Fih New York heavy artillery, under Major Urban, are
also entitled TO praise for the sodity o. Their ranks 70
advancing against tho enemy ~ the list Oh Casualties
viii show when tho surgeons report shall have been
made.
Surprise OF M0sby. HM
WASHINGTON, Oct. II, 1894.
ccis Information has been received here 70 the effect
- ~ IL L.