Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-10-27
FIRST pIsrAroH
WAR DEPARTMENT,

nouncement of the battle by the fol-
lowing telegram:
. RsoroRTowN,eVa., Oct. 19-4 Pm.
To No Gen. HalIeck, Chief Of Stqg'
Heavy cannonnading has recommended
in the valley, aud is now going on.
C. G. AUGER,
Major General.
HARPRR's FERRY, Oct, 1850 Pm.
To Hon T. II. Stanton
The firing at the front has been con-
tinuous during the day. The direction
seemed at intervals to be at the left of
Winchester, as if at Berry's Ferry. No
news from the front,
JOHN D. STEPHENSON,
Brigadier-General.
HARPER's FERRY, Oct. 19-8.45 P. N.
To Hon T. n, Stanton
The enemy attacked our army with
great impetuosity this morning at day
light. The attack was made on the left
of the Eighth corps, and was at first
very successful. They captured some
guns. prisoners and wagons. Our lines
were reformed and heavy fighting con-
tinued through the day. Sheridan was
reported at Winchester this morning,
and went out to the front. The particu-
lars received are not official and are not
favorable, though no serious disaster
could have occurred without direct
news from Sheridan.
Respectfully,
JOHN d. STEVENSON,
Brig General.
HARpBR's FERRY, Oct. 20-s30 P. NJ.
News from Sheridan's headquarters to
the effect that the enemy surprised our
forces yesterday morning, driving the
command in some confusion to this side
of Newton, capturing artillery and pris-
oners. Sheridan arrived on the field, re-
organized our forces and drove the enc
my beyond Strasburg, capturing lit is
reported) forty-three pieces of artillery,
one hundred wagons and ambulances
and some two thousand prisoners. The
rout of theenemy is said to be complete.
This is not official, but think reliable
]. D. STEVENSON, Brig Ge,,tatt
Matters remained in the doubtful Yar@
represented by the foregoing telegfams,
until this morning at half-past nine,
when the following telegram was re-
ceived, unofficially reporting a great vic
tory won by Sheridan's army.
The following official report, dated
few minutes later, of his victory, was re-
Cefved from Maj.-Gen Sheridan
a" CEDAR CREEK, Oct. 1910 p. m.
To Eteat-Gea. U. s. Grast:
I have the honor to report that my
army, at Cedar Creek was attacked this
morning, before daylight. and my left
a., r,,g ,.ty, xNs+
of the line was driven in in confusion,
with the loss of twenty pieces of artil-
lery. Ihastened from Winchester where
was onmy return from Washington,
and found the army between Middle
town and Newtown, having been driven
back about four miles, here took the
affair in hand and quickly united the
corps, formed compact line of battle
just in time to repulse an attack of the
enemy, which was handsomely done at
about / P.M. At 3 P. NJ, after some
charges of the cavalry from the left to
the right flank, | attacked with great
vigor, driving and routing the enemy,
capturing according to the last report,
forty three pieces of artillery, and very
many prisoners. do not know yet the
number of my casualties or the loss of
the enemy. Wagons, trains, ambulances
and caissons in large numbers are in our
possession. They also burned some of
their trains Gen. Ramseur is q prison
or in our hands, severely and perhaps
MORALLY wounded. have to regret the
loss of Gen. Bidwell, killed, and Gems.
Wright Grover and Ricketts, wounded.
Wright is slightly wounded. Affairs at
times looked badly, but by the gallantry
of our brave officers and men, disaster
has been converted into splendid vic
tory. Darkness again interviewed to shut
off greater results. Inow occupy Stras-
burg AS soon as obtained, Will send
you further particulars.
p. I'll. SHERIDAN, Maj. Gen.
The battle was fought on the same
day, 10Th of the month, that witnessed
Sheridan's victory in September What
the numbers were opposed to Gen. Sher-
idan, are not yet reported to the Depart
ment, but the boldness, vigor and sue
cess of the attack, indicate that heavy
re-inforcements had been sent from
Richmond, with the hope Of fulfilling
Longstreet's boast to smash up Sheri-
dan. Loggstreet was known to be in
the Valley, and had assumed command
of the rebel army, and confident hopes
of an overwhelming disaster to the I'm
ion army were boastfulty expressed for
several days back by the rebel adherents
in Washington and Baltimore.
(Signed) EDWIN Nj. STANTON,