Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The marked military event of the last week was the battle of Cedar [Page 338] creek, in the Shenandoah valley, on the 19th instant. It began during General Sheridan’s absence from his command on a visit to the War Department here. Longstreet had been re-enforced by 12,000 men. He surprised and assaulted Sheridan’s army in its camp near Strasburg at the break of day, broke and pushed it back four miles, with a capture of 800 or 1,000 men and twenty-four guns. Sheridan was returning to the army, and at Winchester met the news of this disaster. He pushed rapidly forward, reorganized his columns, and establshed a new and perfect line of battle, attacked the enemy, in three hours turned the defeat into a victory, driving the enemy before him through Strasburg to Mount Jackson, routing them and putting them to flight in all directions, so that they had not an organized regiment left on arriving at that place. Sheridan took back the twenty-four guns which had been lost, adding twenty-nine to the number, and captured 2,000 prisoners, with 10 battle flags. The pursuit was continued on the 20th, with the capture of a large quantity of small-arms and much camp equipage, including 300 wagons.
I know not whether it is that hope is derived or is affected to be derived by the insurgents from excitement of the political canvass in the loyal States, or from what other cause—the fact, however, is observed that the enemy affect to be confident of some new and great success. On the other hand, telegraphic communication is re-established through General Sherman’s line to Atlanta. The enemy is in retreat before him, and the military situation there is regarded as satisfactory and cheering. The invaders of Missouri are falling back before General Rosecrans, and endeavoring to escape the pursuit of General Steele. The situation at Richmond remains unchanged. The election in Maryland has resulted in the adoption of the new constitution, which raises eighty thousand slaves to the condition of freemen.
A letter from the pretended governor of Louisiana, which has been intercepted, urges the emancipation and enrolment of negroes as soldiers in the insurgent army, and the Richmond Enquirer now openly advocates that desperate policy. On the other hand, we have authentic information that one hundred captured Union colored soldiers, who were compulsorily employed at work on the fortifications around Danville, rose upon their guard, disarmed them, armed themselves, and effected their escape from captivity. It is not improbable that we are reaching a new phase of this extraordinary civil war.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.