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

! the slillaess usual 10 that hour. While
this stiffness was prevailing, the enemy
had nOiselessly messed heavy column
10 front Of Crook, behid The hills on
the southwest side OF Cedar Creek, and
directly in front of the position occupied
by our extreme pickets.
AT given signal, as we afrerwsrd
learned, the enemy advanced rapidly, in
solid columns of regiments Our pick
cts were charged, some of them captured
anil some driven in, hardly before they
had time TO discharge their muskets.--
In fact, what few pickets did come ia,
the enemy came in so soon after and SO
close to them, that it was near tie
which party warned the slumbering camp
Of the danger near at hand.
Having driven in or captured our
pckets on tho left Of the line Of the in
fantry. the enemy charged across Cellar
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 o'h Corps. The rebels
did not hesitate, but pressed on over all
barriers, completely surprising and in a
measure stampcding the left Of Sheri-
dams line.
By this success the enemy gained some
artillery, believe the 4lh Pennsylvania
Battery and some pieces Of regular
battery. The suldenness of the attack,
and its wonderful success, for short
time bowillered the troops. Many Of
them were taken prisoners, but By far
the greater portion got away with their
arms.
The other division of Crooks corps
which was allowed some time to form,
did 50, and was soon formed into line by
the remaining portion of Thorburn's d.
vision. A Il this while the enemy kept
pressing on ana pouring in upon our
men rapid and murderous fre-a fire
from musketry, as also, from artillery
posted upon the hill from the opposite
side of Cedar Creek. Having directed
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 Of his guns, to capture Emery's
artillery; in a 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 LIST Maine battery, and,
| believe, a portion Of the Chase Battery.
What mos! hel ped the rebels was the
exact range which they 60! Of our 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
lief! had suffered, the 9th corps passed
from its position Of reserve 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 to 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 triumphantly
advance and by the way, must men.
don 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 lull prevailed, our line was con.
tracted and commenced slowly falling
back.
The enemy pressed The pursuit rapid
ly and with great psrsistency. General
Sheridan was on his way from Washing.
Ton back to his headquarters when the
attack was made. Hereached Winches
ter the night before the attack, aud 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 a
string of teams goiog TO the rear, accom-
panied by the usual number Of wounded
and stragglors which proceeded from a
reverse Pressing onward he found
some considerable opposition was being
made to the exultant foe. He seemed
to comprehend the true state Ofaffairs at
a 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 of our military affairs, and
turned the tide Of battle SO rapidly grow.
ing toward disastrous defeat into
glorious victory,
The cavalry werO then sent upon the
right, the 10th Corps placed next to it,,
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