Year: 1864

with grape and canister from two batteries which tney
had previously kept secreted. and which piougned
through advancing lines moving down large num-
Dsrs Of our men.


The nrss line was obliged to give way under so mur-
derous re and In rereaiing behind the second line,
threw Il into momensary confosion, and 1t also was
Obliged to fall back behind the third line, which had
On the meantime been ordered to Ito down. In order
avoid a much possible the effects Of the whitening


re which the enemy's batteries directing against
our advancing lines.


Tho artillery brought up aud posted In com
nanding positions to silence those batteries OF the
enemy which had caused much annoyance, and
line was reformed and again moved forward regainng
the advanced position which they had held when they
were obliged to fall back. Eat this success not
gained without the most obstinate resistance the part
Of the enemy.


General Sheridan had previously ridden alony the lines,
and was received everywhere by the men with the
greatest enthusiasm: and when they advanced II was
with the terrible determination 10 d. die In the at
tempt.


having regained the advanced position whcn We had
previously occupied the different lines Of battle
ordered to lie down and wait the arrival OF General
Crooks corps which held in the ecstern
ode Of the Opequan. They ordered up to take posi-
Zion the extreme right Of our line, and In order to
counteract movement the part Of the enemy, who
massng troops their left fank with the view Of
turning right.


Precisely at three O'Clock General Crook formed the
right Of the Nineteenth corps his First division the
extreme right Of ne and the Second division In the
rear, supporting division Of the Nineteenth corps
General Crook having formed his men, rode along the
lines and received with most vociferous cheering,
the men promising TO 60 in and wipe out Winchester.


General Torbert with Meyri,t's and Averiils divisions
OF cavalry having crossed the Opequan about O'Clock
at Burns aud Knoxs fords had been hard at work all
day fighting considerable bodies OF the enemys infantry
and cavalry and having been successful in steadily dv
ing them before them. arrived extreme right
and was prepared to take part in the final struggle which
secured US the victory.


General Sheridan rode out to where General Torbert
was stationed and after a consultation with him as to
the part the cavalry to take ordered the nnal
charge which was made with an mpetuosty which
nothing could resist Our lre extending nearly three
miles in length, advanced amid the cheers aud yels
which could be distinctly heard far above the noise
caused by the thunder Of tue artillery and the continuous
roar Of musketry, which, for Its ipeuosity has seldom
been exceeded in any ba,s OF this


Our men had determined to win the day, and nerved
themselves accordingly forSthe coming struggle, and
our lines anced closer and closer those OF the
my the battle became and fierce, until, in
point Of desperate and fierce carnage, will compare
favorably with any similar contest OF the war.


The slaughter truly awful. At every dis
charge mon could be distinctly dropping all around
and the two contending lines ut points could
have been over two hundred yards apart


Just at this critical PERIOD above the OF artillery
nuskery and cheers and the fierce yes of the
ing armies, could be distinctly heard the shrl Of
the cavalry buge, sounding the charge which the
death knel to Earlys army. There could be the
gallant Custer and Merritt, each with be adquarers
In hand and conspicuous among the advancing sqiadrons
galantiy leading the charge which, in connection with
the desperate charge OF our infantry secured the
tory All honor 70 those gallant chiefs who done
well.