Year: 1864

| Il6 QESL OBJECT OF OueIludQS campaign
in the Valley of the Shenandoah is accom-
plished. He has driven off Early's coll
umn, and the remnant of that recently
powerful and insolent army has taken
shelter among the passes of the Blue Ridge.
This is therefore favorable opportunity
for review of this brilliant campaign to
the point at which it had arrived on the
3Oth of September.


q Early appeared in the vicinity of the Po-
tomac about the 1st of July. By bold and
rapid movements he advanced into Mary
land, his main force reaching the Monoca-
cy, and squads of his cavalry passing
around the city of Baltimore and Penetra-
ting as far as the railroad crossing at Bush
River. AT Monocacy he was confronted by
small and hastily gathered force OF Ma
tional troops, under General Lew Wallace,
but after spirited fight our little army
was defeated. Thence Early moved across
the country to the Northern defenses of
Washington, and after demonstrating there
for two days, was driven out by the first
brigade that moved out from our works.


That was on the 18th of July. He then
withdrew into the valley, carrying with
him large amount of plunder gathered in
Maryland. He was pursued for some dis
tsnce by General Wright, bat could not
be brought to bay. From that time he
has been moving up and down the valley
pretty much at his own option; now ad-
Vaucing and now retiring, apparently with
out any other object than to demonstrate
his power to go wherever he chose, when
ever he pleased. In one of these excur-
sions portion of his cavalry made rush
into Pennsylvania and burned the town of
Chambersburg, giving the unoffending and
defenseless people no time even to get the
bodies of the dead out of the houses of
mourning before their houses were in
flames.


So he went on until the 10th of Septem-
ber, apparently growing more confident
every day, ard acting as if the foot of no
Union soldier dare press the soil of the
Valley so long as he was present.


Meanwhile the leaders of the National
army were preparing for settlement with
the confident Jubal. They were observing
him closely, attacking his isolated parties
when they got chance, and gobbling up
not few of them; but still not caring to
bring on a general engagement in advance
of the accepted time At length the au-
spicious day arrived. On Thursday, the
18th of September, Gen. Sheridan got au-
thentic information that Kershaw's divi-
sion, being wanted at Richmond, had
marched in that direction, and was other
evidence that Early would also have to
move to the south. Upon this General
Sheridan, after telegraphing to General
Grant, and procuring an interview with
him at HRrper's Ferry, planned his attack
for the morning of the 18th in front OF
Winchester. That days work was crown
ed with victory, the army covering itself
with glory, and the cavalry under Torbert,
Averill and Merritt, shedding lustre an
that arm that surpassed any achievement
of the war.


Then followed O pursuit characterized
by celebrity and energy that should fur
nish an example for all similar occasions
hereafter. Early was allowed no rest. The
straggler from his ranks was that moment
O prisoner. His wounded were all left on
the field, or abandoned in the hospitals to
which they were hurried on the retreat.
The valley was filled with the debris of bis
flying troops, every thing being sacrificed
to the paramount necessities OF escape
At Fishers Hill, a strong position below
Strasburg, where the Valley is narrow
and, where, if line OF battle is stretched
across it it is hanked by the Shenandoah
on one side and the mountains on the 9TH
er, he halted his weary men for two days
and risked !auother battle for the posses
sion of the Valley. Here again Early was
beaten, more by the skilful tactics of
Sheridan than by any hard fighting, the
cavalry again doing noble duty, and this
time his army broke all to pieces.


Had the country been open or level his
whole force would have been Destroyed
But as it was the contiguous mountains
furnished convenient avenues for escape
and conceslment for fragmentary parties;
and, after lapse of several days during
which he held the mountain gaps in the
vicinity, Early got together his scattered
battalions, and posted himself IN Browns
Gap, on the road from Harrisonburg to
Charlottesville. There he still remained
on the 3Oth ult., powerless for any ohen-
sive movement, and scarcely capable of de-
Tense. Without reiuforcemeuts he can do
nothing, and by this time he has probably
learned that Lee is so hard pressed at Rich
mond and Petersburg that there is but one
thing left for him or his successor (LoDg-
street) to try, and that is TO make his es-
cspe if he can.


Thus this campaign, which for long
period was 80 trying to the patience and
the pride of the country, has been carried
| to a glorious conclusion by watching, wait
ing and maneuVering for opportunity, and
by striking with vigor when the suspicious
| day at last arrived. The moral of this is
that we should fOrtify ourselves on all oc-
casions with faith, and be patient. The
soldiers to whose care our great armies are
intrusted are capable. Victory is smiling


on them everywhere, and the crowhing
! triumph is so near that we already see lts


dawning light.


Speech by General COohrRne.
LoII Lii