Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-12-10

Letter from SheridnH's Army.
WINcnEsTER. VA, Oct. %, lSG

EDITOR Journal i am but just arrived from
the front, having been with the army of Sheri-
dan since the middle of July. You will recol-
lect that our first advance did not go for further
than Berryville, when it met too great a force to
contend with The enemy f6llowcd us to Bolivar
Heights, where we faced each other for sometime,
when one morning we awoke and found no enc
my Sheridan put us on the road in quick time,
and we came up with Early at Winchester on
the 10th of September, when he was beautifully
dressed. and hurried on towards Richmond We
followed him to Waynesboro, and o little be-
vond Just before our last retrograde move
ment our Regiment was on the extreme left as
picket guard. 1t was surprised one afternoon,
fought its way out and found our army falling
back slowly and in good order, while our caval-
nv and artillery held the rebels in check. He
made slow marches back to Mddletown, when
we went into camp to rest men and animals.
During our march back we destroyed all forage
and stores that might be useful to the enemy, in
case it came into the Valley in future. The
destruction was complete according to orders
from Sheridan The soldiers, emulating the
example and policy of their General, endeavored
to destroy all articles that might subsist hum
erv enemy Hence, the fowls Of all kind, cat
tie, apple butter, COW butter, apple-jack, &c,
were used up unccremoniou.ly by the boys, and
our aggregate weight is greater to-day than 1t
was one month ago.
At Middetown the rebel army, under Early,
again approached US, notwithstanding its re-
peated defeats by Sheridan. On the morning of
October 10Th the pickets of the infantry outposts
were surprised and the enemy poured in on the
Sth Corps in such numbers as to be irresistible,
but not SO great as to force back our Reserves at
one blow Our right fell slowly back protected
by cavalry and artillery. The artillery firing
was extensive on both sides, and never greater
from the enemy than when our cavalry marched,
on "a walk, along the whole line, exposed to q
continuous fire of solid shot, shell and canister
for the purpose of gathering up stragglers and
reforming our lines.
Just at this time the enemy had US in tight
place and could have routed us probably, had
he known Just how we stood. The infantry of
the 18th and 10th Corps had left the field, or were
struggling over it in confusion and disorder,
while the gallant 9th Corps noted for its fight
ing propensites and stubborn resistance, quietly
built up its new skirmsh line and commenced
work Gloom and dependency had seized upon
many brave hearts, and we were anticipating
another tramp to Harper's Ferry. We had gone
there so frequently, that folks commenced to call
Sheridan - IIarper's Weekly" Just then Sheri-
dan came up, having been on visit to Wash
ington. lie passed from left to right of our
line, and his presence the salvation of our
army. Cheer after cheer saluted him he in
spircd courage and confidence. He told the men
that had faltered to turn their faces the other
way, their game laid there and not towards
Winchester; he refreshed their memories with
former acts, and talked so well that almost in
Simultaneously new battle commenced, and the
army of the Valley went into an engagement as
fierce and violent any that has marked this or
any other campaign. In short time the enemy
were flying from US in great disorder, their
course marked by the wreck of gun-carriages,
ambulances and wagons, while muskcts were
.trcwn all along the road for miles. Two or
three hours more of daylight would have given
us the entire rebel army. Or if Sheridan had
killed three or four horses instead Of the two-hc
did kill getting ont to us, our list Of prisoners
would have been much grcdter.' The enemy s
loss in guns, wagons, &c., was great. SO far
over 800 prisoners have been reported. During
the morning of the engagement we lost the guns
of the Sth and 10Th Corps, which after
W.
from the enemy over and above our own recap
tured, so far as can learn.
Our Regiments loss is % wounded, killed.
Col. Lowell, OF our Regiment, commanding
Brigade, died the morning after the battle from
wounds received. Capt. Smith, an original
California officer, nortaIly wounded, dying
the night after the battle He an officer
much esteemed by the men, and favorably known
at Headquarters. lie received his death wound
while leading his squadron in q charge against
a heavy fire of the enemy.
The army of the Valley has added to its lau-
rels Its Generals are stiSfed with it, and the
whole army looks up to Sheridan, knowing that
he can lead it . to safety and victory. We have
rumors that another army is coming against us
The former, which has stuck so closely to u.s.
has been Of the Flower OF Virginia, the cavalry
especially, celebrated for its high-toned blood'
1t is almost Iudicrously mournful to reflect how
these gay flowers have been shorn OF their
colors, and their petals covered with the aust OF
hasty skedaddle. Almost every DFlSlo" Oh
our army flies several rebel gatherings ana
coIors or has sent them to Washington
Let the Johnnies come up against us once more
Sheridan has veteran army knows how to use
it. His official report that victory was won
from disaster is literally true. [ reluctantly
marched with my regiment between the lines,
gathering up and reforming stragglers into lines
of hattie. and was almost demoralized by the
sight. The whole field was one scene OF DIS
order and confusion, and together with the in
cessant sh.iling from the enemys batteries was
too much for my weak nerves expected the