The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1864-10-27
sherIdnn,s Victory.

this stiffness was prevailing, the enemy
had noiselessly messed heavy column
in froat Of Crook, behird The hills on
the southwest side Of Cedar Creek, and
directly in front of the position occupied
by our extreme pickets
Al given signal, os We aflerward
learned tho enemy advanced rapidly, in
solid columns of regiments Our pick
] cts were charged, some of them captured
and some driven in, hardly before they
had time to discharge their muskets.-
In fact, what few pickets did come 10,
the enemy came in so soon after and so
close to them, that it was near tie
which party warned tho sumboring camp
of the danger near ut haod.
Having driven in or captured our
pickets on thcl Of the line OF the in.
fantry, the enemy charged across Ceisr
Greek at the ford and very soon after
crossed on the bridge over said stream.
ard reached the side of the hill and
breastworkS occupied by Thorburn's d.
vision Of the Sh Corps. The rebels
did no; hesitate, bu pressed on over all
barriers, completely surprising and in n
measure stomPeding the LEFT Of Sher.
dams line.
By this success the enemy gained some
artillery, believe the 4th Pennsylvania
Battery and some pieces Of regular
battery. The suidcnnoss of the attack,
and its wonderful success, for short
time bowilderod the troops. Many Of
them were taken prisoners. but by far
the greater portion got away with their
arms.
The other division of Crooks cops
which was allowed some time to form,
did so, and was soon formed into line by
the remaining portion Of Thorburn's d.,
vision. All this while the enemy kept
pressing on ana pouring in upon our
men rapid and marderous fre-a fire
from musketry, as also, from artillery
posted upon the hill from the opposite
side of Cedar Creek. Having directed
a column against Crooks forces, the enc
my quickly turned his attention toward
the right Of the pike, where the 10Th
Corps, General Emery's command, was
gotten in line, and his artillery to work
at short range. At this time bold
charge was made by the enemy under
cover oihis guns, to capture Emery's
artillery; in measure this charge was
successful, although it was resisted
with great vigor by fire that would
have done credit TO the best Of veterans
under the most trying circumstances.
On the charge, the rebels took one or
two pieces Of the lst Maine battery, and,
| believe, a portion of the Chase Battery.
What most helped the rebels was the
exact range which they got ofour pieces
the ones captured from the elevated
commanding position on the opposite
side Of the creek. AS soon as the fight
commenced and it was known that the
lef! had suffered, the 9th corps passed
from its position ofreserve over to where
the 9th corps was located in the COM
mencement Of the engagement. The
trains, too, were got out as speedily as
possible, taking the pike road 10 Win
chester, where they arrived in safety.
The enemy discovering the success of
his surprise, and believing that it was
now time for him only to triumphantIy
alvance-an by the way, must men.
lion that it was now broad daylight
brought his columns and artillery across
Cedar Creek to press the pursuit with
vigor. While this was being done, and
brief lulI prevailed, our line was con.
tractcd and commenced slowly falling
back.
The enemy pressed the pursuit rapid.
ly and with great persistency. General
Sheridan was on his way from Washing.
ton back to his headquarters when the
attack was made, Hereachel WiDches-
ter the night before the attack, and re-
manned there for consultation, EARLY in
the morning hearing cannonajing,
mounted his horse and pushed forward
to the front. On his way up he met
string of teams going 10 the rear, accom-
panied by the usual number of wounded
and stragglers which proceeded lronl a
reverse. Pressing onward he found
some considerable opposition was being
made to the exultant foe. He seemed
to comprehend the true otate ofaGairs at
. glance, and OF once proceeded to rem.
edy the evil. recognizing his forces,
then seemingly more given to retreat
than an advance, he promptly changed
the aspect ofour military affairs, and
turned the tide Of battle SO rapidly grow
ing toward disastrous defeat into o
glorious victory.
Tho cavalry werO then sent upon the
right, the 10Th Corps placed next to it,
the 9Th Corps in the center and the 9Th
Corps on tho left with Powel's division,