The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-06
SdERIDAN'S ARMY
DETAILS OF AVERILL's
VICTORY.

HEADQUARTERS AvEa1LLs CAVALRY DGyt-
SION, "On the Move" September 4.-Yesteriay
our operations on General Sherdans right, and
in the direction Of Winchester, were emiuently
successful. About halfpast ten A. NJ LOmaX'3
Division Of Rebel cavalry, then reinforced to five
hrPadcs, attacked our line one mile north Of
DarkcsVilc, small town situated on the VIM
chester pike, seven miles south Of NJ utnsburg.
The attack Of the enemy was made with gal
lantry, but as gallanuy repuscd, although we
had only engaged portion Of the command, aud
the offensive party had three in action b. our one,
Having Tor a short time maintained the deiCu-
svC, In order to allow the enemy time and oppor-
tuniy 90 develOpc his strength, we took the
offensive, Notwithstanding the disparity In mum
bers and drove LomaXs whole division at very
rapid rate over the fields and through the woods,
past IidC-pits and Tudcly constructed breast
works. distance Of nearly five miles Arriving
90 this point the enemy attempted to make Il
stand, opening rapid fire from his artillery, and
using his whole cavalry force TO prevent us from
crossing Mill CrCek-a small stream which
crosses the pike and empties into the Opequan.
The engagement in this locality was Of short
duration, but unusually spirited. We charged
the enemy with portions Of POwell's and SchOon-
makers Brigades, and would have taken his ar
tillcry, had our men been able 10 get across the
creek in the manner they advanced. As it was
the euemy's artillery escaped capture by the
meTCst accident, and, fortunate for them interpJ-
sition of Mill creek.
In the action the lst Virginia Cavalry made a
special Charge OF great gallantry, under Lieu
tenant Colonel Charles T.. Cophart, and drove
the enemy, who was charging at the time, like a
flock OF sheep chased by wolves. In "lghting
out" fences and bitches were no obstacles TO the
eDemys hasty exit.
In the general charge made by Powell's and
S .hCOnmukcrs brigadcs the latter officer had
his blouse cut in several places by small shot, aud
his skin grazed by ball from q sharpshooter's
rife.
We took number Of prisoners, representing
the 8h, 18th, end 23d Virginia cavalry, who were
q pypr QFl1 tn no Won htgt thn
Marshal, Captain Crawford. The same officer
had last night two young men from Baltimore,
captured while attempting to Join the Rebel army.
Lieutenant King, Of a Tennessee regiment, was
captured, with his entire force, while returning
from picket. Another Rebel officer is also
prisoner in our hands.
Our loss was thought to be heavy, but il proved
unusually light for the character of the engage.
ment and the obstinacy with which Lomax
fought us.
While the cavalry fight in front was going on,
Colonel Greenfield was conducting important
operations on the cnemy's left rear which opera
tons were successful. At the same time, Major
Quinn, of the lst New York (LinCOn) Cavalry,
was on our left and repused an attempt of the
enemy to turn our left flank
NOTES by THE wAYsIDE.
General Fitzhugh Lee calls General Sheridan's
army "Harper's Weekly" because, as he says
il reaches Harpers Ferry once week.
When General Rhodes drove us out ofMartins-
tirng for General Averil, saying he was very
sorry for troubling him, but that he came down
to get information Of the nomination Of the
Chicago Convention. The next day General
Averill attacked him, perhaps to see how he
liked il.
Last night there was heavy firing on our leS
in the vicinity of Berryyille. The presumption is
that portion of General Sheridan's infantry
force was engaged.
There is a report out that the enemy is holding
his army in this quarter to affect our Presidential
election, and that his last move was made for
purpose connected with the nominating conyen-
tion at Chicago.
We are again on the move this moIning hay-
ing already driven in the enemy's pckets.
Yesterday, when we were fighting LomaN's
Division, Rhodes Corps moved down to attack
us with eighteen pieces of artillery, but fell back
during the night.
The enemy left on the field quite a number of
killed and many dead horses. Having passed
over the road the Rebels retreated, we found that
the Rebel loss was very large compared to our
own.