The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-24
TINE LATE BRILLIANT CAVALRY
rnaHr Ar EnnNr HnNAT

Colonel Thomas Q. Dcvens commanding a
cavalry brigade, arrived in town on Saturday,
and s at present at the National Hotel. We
learn from him that about 3 O'Clock on last We'd
nesday, the 18th, the pickets Of Devens' Brigade
were driven in by heavy force Of Rebel infantry
and artillery. The brigade advanced to support
the pickets. Tho ith New York Cavalry was
placed to guard the road.
Wckhams Rcbo) BRIGADE Of cavalry having
crossed the river and charged the dismountcd
men OF the 9th New York. Colonel Dcvens
ordered the 4th New York 10 charge the Rebels
in flank, which order was brilliantly executed by
Colonel CesnOla, who swept OF as with an ava
lanche the whole head OF the Rebel column, cap
turing the battc-fag Of the Sd Virginia regiment
and many prisoners.
Tho ciomy finding he could make no impres.
sion on the turnpike, crossed with brigade Of
infantry bnf a mile 20 the left, and sought TO
outnank Colonel DovCus' brigade. The 4th New
York were Immediately deployed in thoir front,
and charged upon Them before thoy had an Op-
BOrtuuity 10 form themselves into line.
About the same time tho cavalry again advanced
through the gorge through the turnpike and
sought 10 gain the rear Of and cut on our cavalry.
Two squadrOns Of the 9th Now York, which hal
been held in reserve on the right, were thrown on
the Rebel column rs soon a. they were fully eX-
posed, completely rOutinga and driving them back.
IN the meantime the infantry on the left had
driven them back % the river capturing another
battle-fsg Of CObb's Legion. While The I'd Bri-
gado was fighting on the right, still another force
Of infantry was crossing on the lCtt. General
Custer had arrived a few hours before, % the
support OF Colonel Dcvens. Ransom's Battery Of
Colonel DcYens' Brigade was Immediately opened
on his advance, and as they emerged from The
woods upon the LETT, Custer sicCp, down upon
them, and they were gobbled up by scores.
The enemy planted battery on tho north side
Of the Shenandoah, and Il was this alone that
saved the Rebel column from utter lnnhi.aion
before 10 rcrOssed the river The position was
81 elevated that our guns could not reach them,
and they were thus enabled D. hold Ms at bay 4,
and retire with a shattered column. The Rebels
acknowledge the loss Of 600 killed, wounded, and
missing, Of which there is now in our hands over
800 while the entire loss OF Colonel Devens' ID
Brigade, which was most heavily engaged, will
not amount 70 4j killed, wounded and missing
General Clusters loss was proportiOnately less 4,
although he captured as many prisoners.
The regiments engaged were the 4th, 18th, 0nd
9th New York, and the l7th Pennsylvania.
Colonel Cesnoa, Of the 4th New York aud Major
Beardsley, commanding the 9Th New York, he
ha7ed with distinguished gllllnuy, repeatedly
charging the enemy's columns.
Captain Mann, Of the 4th New York, was killed..
lie was gallant officer, aud met a herO's death.
Captain snyder, Of the ith, Captain Hcrmanco,
Of the 9th New York, and Lieutenant Weston, OF
the 9Th New York, were wounded. Although
Colonel Deycns was severely wounded in the foJt,
he did not leave the field, but held the ground
braVely, and won for himself garland Of hOnOrs.
Captain Handy had three huTses shot from under
him while charging the enemys line.
The 18th Pennsylvania were drawn up in the
support under a heavy fire, and behaved them
selves with their usual -llCSb. RsDUb.