Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-09-24

lHCy OCCuplCu haTUnsbuIS loI SuOil
time without doing any Gamage to the rail |
road, and were eventually driven by Ayerell
rs far us Darksville.
General Sheridan learning of their move
ments, ordered his whole command to break
camp and prepare to march, Accordingly,
mt o'clock on Sunday, the tents were all'I
struck and packed in the wagons, and the
different division were all under arms and
prepared to move at moments notice
They remained in this state for about an
hour, when the order came to go into camp
for the night, and everything remained
perfectly quiet.
About nine o'clock orders were received
from General Sheridan for the Sixth and
Ninteenth Corps to be ready to start at
three O'Clock, and the Army of Western
Virginia, under General Crook, at five
o'clock the following mornng--the order
of march to re as follows Sixth Corps to
move out on the Bcrryville and Winchester
road, and move in two parallel columns on
both sides of the road, with artillery, an,inu-
milton and supply trains on the same road;
the Ninteenth Corps to follow on the same
and III similar order. The Army of West
ern Virginia, under Crook, to move from its
camping ground in the vicinity of Summit
Point, and, striking across the country in a
a junction at the crossing of the Opequan on
the Berryvile and Winchester pike.
Shortly after five o'clock, Wilson's Divi-
sion of Cavalry crossed the Opequan, at
Berryville, on the Winchester pike, moving
his command rapidly along the road, and
driving the enemy's skirmish line, gallantly
charged their works with his first brigade,
and carried them at the point of the sabre,
capturing thirty prisoners.
In this charge, Colonel Brinton, of the
Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, was wound
ed within few feet of the cnemy's works,
whilst gallantly leading his regiment.
These field works were constructed by the
Rebels to guard the fords of the Opequan.
and to prevent our passage at this point.
1t will be seen how signally they failed to
accomplish the object Tor which they were
constructed.
Our cavalry have secured safe crossing
for the infantry, the Sixth Corps was moved
over the Opequan, and along the pike to-
wards Winchester, leaving its train parked
on the opposite side of the stream, at o
point about mile and half distant from
the ford, where it formed in line of battle,
and threw out strong skirmish line. AT
the same time the artillery opened on the
woods, into which the enemy's infantry had
retired, and kept up an incessent cannonade,
the enemy replying briskly with parts OF
! two batteries
There was delay of ut least two hours
caused by the non-arrival of the Ninteentl
Corps; who, through misunderstanding OF
orders, failed to come up at the proper time
General Emory had moved his column il
the rear of the baggage train Of the Sixth
Corps instead of keeping his command
closed up in the rear of the advancing col
umn of the Sixth Corps.
Sheridan having learned on Sunday that
the main portion of Early's forces were en-
camped in the vicinity of Bunker Hill and
Stephenson's Depot, resolved to mass hi:
forces on the Winchester and Berryvillt
pike, and by rapid movement hurl then
on Early's rear. No doubt but the enemy
were completely surprised and outmanTu
vred by General Sheridan.
Whilst his different columns were being
marched to the appointed place of rendez
vous, a portion of the cavalry under Tor
bert and Averell, kept up a strong plcke
line along the Opcquan, and by demOnstrat
ing in force at Burns Ford, kept Il larg,
portion Of the enemy at that part Of til,
field, which vas twelve miles distant from
the point where it was intended our iniantr.
should operate and strike the blow whict
should result in the signal defeat of Early
army.
Delay in the arrival of the Ninteenth Corp
enabled Early to move Gordons Division
at double quick from Bunker Hill distan
about ten miles, ana bring it up in time t
form in line of battle with BreckinridGe's
RansOms and Rhodes commands, who baC
already arrived and were formed ia a bel
of woods skirtiag the Benyville and Win
chester pike.
As soon as the Ninteenth Corps arrived i
was formed in four lines of battle, abou
three hundred yards apart, on the right q
the Sixth Corps, and everything being il
readiness the advance was sounded at abou
twelve o'clock, ana the different lines mOvct
forward. The two corps advanced in splcn
did style, and just as composedly rs thouGI
marching at a review or parade, drnm
leading and colors flying, presenting sue
an imposing spectacle rs has seldom bee
witnessed in the present war. In fact som
Of the oldest and most experienced sta
officers present declared they had nevc
before witnessed so truely grand spectacle
The first line had not advanced more tha
two hundred yards before it became warml
engaged with the enemy, who were postet
in a line about six hundred yards distan
: At the same time our artillery opened a fur
Gus cannonade, throwing shells and soil
: shot into the opposite woods, where th
I enemy could be seen moving up reiniorc,
l ments.
Our different lines of battle continued
: advance steadily until they had approache
within nearly two hundred yards OF th
enemy's line, when the Rebels opened
furious cannonade with grape and cannistC
from two batteries, which they had previous
ly kept sccreted and which ploughe
through our advancing lines, moving dow
a large number OF our men.
o The first line was obliged to give wa
= under so murderous fire. and in retreatin
/ beyond the second line threw it into INT
n mentary confusion, and it was also oblige
L to fall back behind the third line, whic
h had in the meantime been obliged 10 Ia
c down if order to avoid rs much as possib
o the effects of the withering fire which Il
r. enemys batteries were directing against ol
# advancing lines.
l. Our artillery was now brought up an
II posted in commanding positions to silenC
these batteries of the enemy which Ia
caused us so much annoyance, and our lii
i was reformed and again moved forward, r
gaining the advanced position, which the
Is had held when they were obliged 10 IA
It back. But this success was not game
without most obstinate resistance on the pa
l. OF the enemy.
- General sheridan had previously ridd,
Il along the lines, and was received ever