The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-11-11
For The CALIFORNIAN.
General Sheridan's Victory.

Believing that some extracts from let
tiers written by eve witnesses of our late
triumph of Gen. Sheridan over the reb>
at StraSburg would be interesting. copy
the following:
FRONT OF STRAsBURG. Oct. 20.
How my head feels: no wonder after
experiencing as did yesterday the ex-
tremes of fear, DISAGREEMENT. disgust,
anger and great JOY. We were surprised
in the morning, The rebels had us flank
ed most beautifully, and were driving the
Sth and 10Th corps in perfect confusion.
The 9th didn't bulge so fast. but were
obliged to fall back beyond Middletown,
almost to Newtown. | never saw such
disgracetul sinking in our men 1t was
the most perfect Skeedadde [ have ever
seen. just at this iunctrre came the
familiar black horse at the top of his
speed, bearing a rider, our especial saliva
ton from one Of the most complete routs
the Union arms ever experienced Little
" Phil" was up, and the way he streaked
through the disorganized masses and Great
III on inyincihIc ,,.,,,,, o,,t - L,.. ,-o..
wonderful He talked awful wicked
though. 1t Is lucky for the rebels and
for some of our own big shoulder straps
too. that swearing couldn't hurt anybody
or this would have been the valley of Hin
nom. To the Straggler> he said leone
back here, boys, we will stay in our old
camps tonight" What was the man 60
ing to do, was he crazy, or could he per-
form miracle. When told by Wright
and the other big ROSTERS who were hold
ing a meeting over affairs that the rebels
had achievements, he said it was a :. lie.
they havn't man but what was here
when | went away" His presence acted
like magic; the straggler> came back
formed and charged. and if they didn't
string out, and pile up the gray jack
cts " it was never done. We stayed in
our old camps sure enough last night
Another letter from musician reads
thus:
Here We are back again | wish
Won could have been perched OH some high
pinnacle where You could have seen our
last affair here Oh the 18th. 1t was a
combination of the horrible. sublime. RI
diculou>. and disgusting, with glory hal
lcluiah and hurrah for Sheridan for a
finale. We were camped on large plain
the night was clear and cold. and We wcr,
sleeping never 81 Soundlv. | WAS awak-
cned by the drummer chugging lie in the
ribs. and saving "Wakc up. We have got
10 get out of this : We are attacked. =
Sure enough the rapid firing of muSket>
and booming of artillery told it too plain
". In less than no tima uur packs wrr,
~lung and orr men Were on the line But
what confusion, everywhere men were 90
ing 10 the rear i'll the greatest possible dis
order minus shoes. hats. coats. ;um~. and
one fellow | Jaw on horseback with hi
pants in his hands They sent
many OF those round percussion shells at-
ter Us which would strike the ground.
hound and roll ike a football. One of
these bdr>t near where | stood GAZING
and the pieces flew about 80 lively |
thought ! would seek cover. When old
Sheridan came, goodness didn't he lust fly
from one end 10 the other of that line.
using up three horses during the after
noon! And oh. such awful talk. He
vas posted III all the pet names and com
plication OF oaths peculiar to soldiers. sui
lor>. pirates, tircmen and such like modest
and sentimental people; the delinquent
officers getting the most decided attention.
He SAID the men would stay in their
places if they Were supported by You
(Sweared Words cowardly (more sweared
words) >neaking lawful sweared wordS)
sinking terrible awful Sweared wordS)
officers. But he formed the lines 1.-The
most wonderful feat | have ever secn) ont
of the panic-Stricken scattered masses and
drove the enemy in splendid style"
Ill. 4. &.