Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-04
CAMP NEAR CEDAR CREEK, VA,
October, 22nd, 1864.

CAMP NEAR CEDAR CREEK, VA,
October, 22nd, 1864.
EDITORS LEADER-Another great battle
has been fought, and our arms have again
been crowned with victory-grand and de-
cisive.
Early on the morning of the 18th the
rebels massed their forces upon our ex-
treme left and made furious attack upon
the position held by the First Division of
General Crooks command, surprising and
capturing the pickets and dashing into
camp before their advance was known.
This was abont two hours before daylight,
snd while the greater part Of our forces
were sound asleep in their tents. The First
Division, however, were rallied and formed,
OF. such part of it as had not been captured
at the first onset, and fell back slowly, dis
putting every inch of ground, On account
of the darkness it could not then be ascer-
tanned what the force of the enemy was
or their design, but the whole line was
aroused and got into position as quickly as
possible TO resist general assault.
The Seventh Division formed and went
TO the left of the first to check any attempt
at faRking. 1t soon became apparent that
the rebels had sent heavy force to turn
our left flank and to get in our rear if pos
sible. Our line had been formed but q
short time when the tremendous pressure
of superior force caused the First Divis-
ion to give way and thrsw the Second into
confusion. The rebels took battery at their
first charge and turned the guns upon our
lines doing considerable damage. The
sixth and ninth corps were attacked in 3
short time and the battle became general.
The advantage that the rebels gained
at first and the giving way of part Of
our lines, gave them an idea that they had
gained the day. They came on shouting
Ike tiends and fighting with terrible des-
Operation.
Slowly our entire line was forced back,
leaving the ground covered with our kill
ed and woUnded-another battery had
been captured and it seemed as if every
thing was lost. About noon, heWever, the
enemy were checked and the tide of battle
began to turn. In several places our men
bravely charged and succeeded in retaking
one battery that we had lost in the morn
ing At this time General Sheridan ar
rived at thescene of action. He rode along
the lines, infusing a new spirit into our
discouraged lines, and urging on the men
by his own fearless example.
Until o'clock in the afternoon tho bat
tie ragged fearfully, but with steady success
on our part, when the rebels at last gave
way entirely, and left in state Of complete
disorder, closely followed by our cavalry
and infantry.
at dark our victorious army rested on
the same ground it had been driven from
in the morning.
The cavalry pursued the flying rebels
ssross Cedar Greek, through Strasb lrg, to
Fishers Hill taking forty-three pieces of
artillery, and their entire ambulance and
wagon train.
A number Of the guns taken were hesvy
Parrots Of long range, that had been used
on US during the day with terrible effect.
Altogether, it was the most sanguinary
and important battle ever fought in this
valley, and shows the supremacy of our
arms under circumstances in which, nine
times out of ten, an army would have been
annihilsted.
During the hardest part of the battle a
large co umn of the enemy made repeated
charges upon the 5th o. S. Battery, but
we're as often repulsed by the deadly grape
and canister, till not men enough were left
to man the guns.
The Captain commanding the Battery
finally, with terms in his eyes, said, Boys,
give them one more charge doub-
le-shotted, and then we will leave;
If is getting too hot for us" It was the
last order he gave. The rebels made an
other furious charge. The captain fell, and
but three gunners were left unhUrt. The
infantry support helped them movo part of
the battery BY hand, and the remainder
was taken.
Itmay not be proper to speak of indi-
viduals, but we cannot refrain from speak
ing of the almost reckless bravery of Col.
r. B. Hayes, commanding the Cd Division,
and the cool daring of Lieutenant Colonel
Comfy, commanding the 23d o. VI. No
better officers can be found in the service.
While brave and daring on the field they
hold the respect Of those they command
They never ask the men to go where they
viii not lead.
When we regained the ground that we
had lost it was found that the rebels had
stripped our dead and wounded Of pants
snd shoes in almost every instance, and
even the wounded that fell into their
hands had been deprived of great part
of their clothing. It has often been denied
by Northern sympsthizers that the rebels
do these things-but we know what we
have seen.
Since the battle we have been occupying
our old position.
The cavalry have been moving about
great deal, and great many rumors are
adost about large captures Of prisoners and
stores, but can learn nothing definite.
The weather is very cold and we suffer
some on that account.
/ Our eyes are now turned with some anz-
iety to the approaching contest in the
| North. We hope our friends viii not de-
sert US at the ballot box, while we are en-
during the dangers and fatigues Of the
field and camp.
We have suffered everything during the
past campaign, but while starving on the
| ILynchburg raid, or marching many wes-
~ miles under an almost tropical sun or
ahivering in these cold, October winds, our
hearts have been, and are still true to the
! great cause. We viii count the past as
nothing and endure what is before Us with
patience if our Northern friends will on
| " give US the support and encouragement
that we think We edeserve, and have earned
on many hard fought field.
- Safe.
stumps and StumPers-
What three distinguished stumpers for the
- lad 70