Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-09-29
THE REPUBLICAN.
FROM THE SHENANDOAH.
Further Details of Sheridan's Late
Victory.
Nrr Yonx Thursdav Sent %

says:
The enemy was first met at Dsrksville
by Averill, who drove in their pickets.-
AT the same time. however. brisk firing
was heard on the left. Averill then formed
his whole division and advanced. finding
the enemy in line at Bunker Hill. They
proved TO be Imboden's force of retreating
cavalry. Just as our artillery was brought
NJ. aud opened fire. this forco scsmpsrei
off in the most ridiculous manner. An
other advance was made, and the enemy
was found near Stephenson's. Their ar
tillery opened briskly. and WAS responded
to by Wier's. Averill swung his force
around so as to bring il upon the rear Of
the rebel artillery. At the same time our
front pressed forward.
Simultaneous with thess movements
fanking column was sent around to the
left. The enemy became confused. and
We pressed forward. s;ienced their artillery
and drove OF their supporting infantry
This movement brought about junction
OF Averill's and Cusiar's forces, who had
crossed the creek higher up. They had
not met so much opposition. though at
Brucetown they encountered a heavy force
which they attacked vigorously. while Az
erill was crowding the enemy from an op-
posite direction, forcing them to get out
Of their position as soon as possible. Ave
ril's division was on the right of the pike:
Msrritt's division on the left of it, Custsr's
brigade on Msriitt's right; and Powell's
on the extreme left. Thus formed, after
going mile or so, the enemy's cavalry
was found in line. We advanced to drive
It. when the enemy made a charge against
our left center. striking full on Custar's
fTont. AS this column approached we
prepared to meet it. Sabers wsre dawn.
and all was got ready. On came the
rebels. their sabers flashing. and with
hideous yells. scattering themselves so as
TO make their line attack as fercely as
possible. just as they got within pistol
range Of Custar, bis brigade went forward
recklessly upon the foe. Then. too, the
left of Averil's line dashed forward to
flank the attacking party. The rebels
could not stand this attack. gave way.
and on went ssr chargers. cutting and
slaShinS through their ranks. Ahout this
time the cavalry line pitched on the infant.
~ line. AMI there was constant fighting.
Charging. G.., became frequent along the
whole line. At one and the same time.
Schoon's brigade, OF AveriIps division.
charged and took a fortified hill in view
OF Winchester. Powcll's brigade, of the
same division, was making and receiving
charges under heavy fire from Fort Jack
son. Weir's artillery was engaged in
Smelling q redoubt in front OF Winchester.
Merritt's division was keeping up heavy
demonstration On the left of the pike.
Crooks corps was advancing and attack
ing the rebel batteries on the opposite side
of Red Bird Creek. Emory's corps was
pouring q rapid fire in on the left of
Crook; Wright's corps was doing the
same on the left of Emory. and Wilson's
cavalry was cutting in towards the enemy's
rear for the other side of the Berryvlle
pike. The whole of this could be seen by
one person.
y. about the time Crooks infantry was
attacking the rebel batteries, Averill's
cavalry flsnksd the enemy's extreme left.
and occupied the summit OF the heights
west Of Winchester. The enemy was
then turned out Of the work known as
Star Fort. This was very annoying. and
several efforts were made before the enemy
was obliged to leave. As soon as Crooks
infantry got in line to advance on the main
front. brigade of Averill's cavalry was
sent around to cut off the retreat. when
the enemy skedaddled in great haste.
Very soon after this. the rebels could be
seen dashins out through the main streets
OF the town, taking the road to Strasburg.
Baltimore. sept. 22.--Prescott Smith.
OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. came
down last evening from Gen. Sheriian's
headquarters. From him and others late
~ arrived from the field, few additional
particulars sre gathered. Gen. Sheridan's
estimate of Early's forces. based on state
ments Of prisoners and the like. was TWEEN.
ty-seven thousand. On the other hand,
Gen. Grant had made an estimate from
the carefully collected statements of pris.
oners SIS 10 the strength Of particular brig
AIDES and regiments throughout the whole
rebel army in Virginia, according to which
Early could not have had over nineteen
thousand. OF this number not less than
ene-third are now hors da combat. leaving
Early. according TO Grants calculations,
but twelve or thirteen thousand with
which to make his retreat.
1t is hoped that Sheridan. who is pnr.
suing vigorously, has taken more prison
ers, but it is acknowledged that the coun-
try is very difficult for pursuit. and tina,
Its numerous defiles and narrow passes
offer admirable positions for a retreating
army to hold superior force at bay. A
leading feature of this fight, which all re-
gard as the most decisive engagement ever
Tough. in the Valley. was the brilliant use
made Of largo masses Of cavalry. The ar.
my is now highly inspirited by its victory,
and the loss in killed and wounded is far
more than made up by the fresh enthusi-
asm of the men.
a hospital is being established at Win
chester. No prisoners have been started
as yet to Baltimore. The effect of this
victory on the spirits Of the Maryland Sc.
cessionists has been more marked than any
thing that has happened since the cam
paign opened last spring. The gloom it
produces is intensified by their forebodings
as to its result on the elections.