The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-10-22
Accounts Of sheridan's victory

New YORK, Oct. 81 The Herald's cor
respondent gives the following account of
Sheridan's last victory:
1t was moonlight and all around was the
stiffness usual to that hour. While this
stiffness was prevailing the enemy had
noiselessly massed a heavy column OF troops
behind the hills on the southwest side OF
Cedar Creek and directly in front OF tie
positions occupied by our extreme pickets.
At a given signal, as we afterwards learn.
ed, the enemy advanced rapidly in solid
columns of regiments. Our pickets were
charged, some of them captured and some
driven in hardly before they had time to
discharge their muskets; in fact what few
pickets did come in the enemy came in SO
soon after and so close to them that it was
near q tie which party warned the sluni'
bering camp of the army Of the danger near
at hand. Having driven in or captured our
pickcts on the left of the line of the infantry
the enemy charged across Cedar Creek at
the ford and very soon after on the bridge
over said stream and reached the side Of
the hill and breastworks occupied by Col
Thoburn's division Of the 9th Army Corps
(Crook's). The rebels hesitated not but
pressed on over all barriers, completely
surprising and in a measure sta%mpeding the
left of Sheridan's line By this success
the enemy gained some artillery, believe
tho 4th Pennsylvania battery and some
pieces of q regular battery.
The suddeness of the attack, its wonder
full success for a short time bewildered the
troops, ind many Of them were taken pris
oners, but by far the greater portion got
away with their arms. The other division
Of Crooks corps, which was allowed some
time to form did so and was formed in line
by the remaining portions of Thuburn's di
vision. All this while the enemy kept
pressing on and firing in upon our men a
rapid and murderous fire, a fire from mus
xetry as also from artillery, posted upon the
hill on the opposite side Of Cedar Creek.
Having directed q column against Crooks
forces, the enemy quickly turned his atten.
ton towards the right Of the pike, when
the 10Th corps, Genl. Emory's command
was gotten in line and his artillery to work
at short range. 'e 70 "'r
At this time q bold charge was made by
the enemy, under cover OF his guns, to capA
ture Emory's artillery. In a measure the
charge was successful although it was re
sisted with great vigor, and by Q fire that
would have done credit to the best Of vete-
rams. under the NEST trying circumstances.
In this charge the rebels took one or two
pieces of the First Maine Battery, and ]
believe a portion Of the Chase Battery.
What most helped the rebels was the exact
reuge which they got of our pieces. The
ones captured were from the elevat. d a.
commanding position On the opposite SIDE
of the creek. As soon as the fight had
commenced, and it was known that the left
had suffered, thr 9th corps passed from its
position Of reserve over to where the 9th
corps was located in the commencement OF
the engagement. The trains, too were got
out as speedily as possible, taking the pike
road to Winchester, where they arrived in
safety.
The enemy, discovering the success Of his
surprise, and believing that it only re
NAMED for him to triumphantly advance
land, by the way, I must mention that it
was nov daylight), brought his columns
and artillery across Cedar Creek to press
the pursuit with vigor. While this was
being done Q brief lull prevailed. Our line
was contracted. and commenced slowly
back. The enemy pressed the pur-
suit rapidly, and with great persistency.
General Sheridan was on his way from
Washington back to his headquarters when
the attack was made. he reached Win
chester on the night before the attack, and
remained there for consultation. Early
in the morning be heard the cannon. mount
ed his horse and pushed forward to the
front. On his way up he met a string of
teams going to the rear, accompanied BY
the usual number of wounded and strag
glers which proceed from q reverse. Press
ing forward, he found that considerable OPP
WA being made To the exvltant
foe. He seemed to comprehend the true
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