The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-10-29
FROM SHERIDAN.
New York. Oct. oa


The Herald's Winchester correspond
ent of the eth says the enemy has still
very strong force in the valley 1t is re-
liably reported to be ieorgauizing. The
enemy has strong force of cavalry in
Lursy valley. Under cover of the pre-.
sent stiffness movements are being made
by the enemy of an eminently important
character.
AT the time when the last battle of the
l9th took place the rebels had stationed
three brigades of cavalry near Milford
Greek in the Luray valley. When the
general rebel movement was made this
force advanced to Buckley's ford on the
Shenandoah river and Front Royal. In
the movement stated they were met BY
Powells division Of cavalry and checked.
When the rebels met with defeat they re-
tired to Milford and within the line Of the
fortihcatlons there erected in command
ing position for certain substantial mill
tary reasons
A reconnoltering party of about 800
strong was sent out on the 24th from
Powel's division in the neighborhood Of
Front Royal. The expedition was com
manded by Major Gibson, who SO gal
lantly distinguished himself in the Avereil
action At Moredeld, in July last. During
the earlier hours of the morning OF the
cath, Major Gbson moved his command
across both branches OF the Shenandoah b
river, and moving through Front Royal
passed on the road towards Milford and
the Laray valley. Before daylight he
came upon the enemy's pickets and drove
them in, capturing one or two. He then
passed rapi.3 n toward Milford Creek.
Ga the way up lie met the enemy in line
of battle with two pieces of artillery. and
although his force did not exceed 500 he
deployed it in line of battle without re-
serve and charged them. The enemy
perhaps remembering our other late es.
tonlshiug cavalry operations did nothing
more than fire one voley and broke. Glib
soc continued the pursuit as rapidly as il
was possible for him to move forward il
the darkness. The enemy kept his artil
lery on the pike, and after firing on,
round liubered up and made off to tn,
rear.
Owing to Gibson's inferior force b,
could not flank the enemy and get his ar
tillery. The enemy sent the artillery t.
the rear line and kept the cavalry righ
and left of the road to cover its getting
off,
In the general charge which Gibson
first Eade he captured one battle flag.
Gibson alleged be drove the enemy owe
the creek and upon the line of the rebe
Notifications in which they y.sought refuge
and opened rapid fire from carbnes ant
the two pieces of artillery aforesaid Il
front of this barrier Gibson halted but t,
feel the enemy's position. TGing a fev
prisoners he ascertained the rebel strengtl
/ aud then retired, resching safe position
| in the direction of the Shenandoah b
: daylight.
y The enemy finding a, last that the bir
, had flown set out after him at a trot, bu
did not succeed in overtaking him, a
Gibson reached the main lines in safet
} aud without heavy loss.
e The affair is looked upon as quite bri
: liant cavalry dash. The idea of 500 me
e almost routing 5000 mounted rebels an
i driving them to their Notifications an
i capturing one of their battle flags, beside
s nearly capturing their two pieces of al
: iillery, is indeed interesting in the cours
OF reconnaissance, and from prisoners il