Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-11-10
The Vermont Cavalry Hattie OF
Cedar Creek.
HEADQUARTERS lsr VI, CAV,

the 10Th we fought on this ground one
of the bloodiest battles of the war; but
perhaps IL will interest some of the
readers of the HERALD to know what we
of the First Vermont Cavalry have been
doing since we crossed the Blue Ridge
TO this valley,
Before the battle OF Winchester, our
regiment was on all the marches and
counter marches, in all the fights ana
skirmishes in which Gen. Wilson's cav
airy were engaged up to that time In
the fight at Winchester our regiment
was on the advance when Gen. Wilson
made the flank movement around the
right of Early's line of battle, which re-
suited in so thoroughly stampeding the
well whipped enemy, From that time
till we arrived at stanton, we fully per-
formed our share of duty, and 1t was &C
tive assure you. 1t was the First Vt.
and the Eighth N. Y. that made the adj
vance on and took possession of Wayp"IS :.
bOro,
At the cavalry fight o. the 9th, near
strasourg, uen, Crstars division (the
Sd which is composed of two brigades)
fought three brigades of rebel cavalry
Rcsser's old brigade, Lomax's and
wickham's. We whipped them, yes,
more than whipped them, and drove
them on the "skedaddle" back up the
Valley more than fifteen miles. We cap
tured their six pieces of artillery, all
their wagons and ambulances, aud about
one hundred and fifty prisoners. The
fight was a severe one for about two
hours; but Gen. Gustav determined to
whip those boasting rebel cavalrymen,
and he did. The First Vermont did its
share and more than its share of the
figh ting; for the regiment held the cen
tire and made the heaviest charge. Our
regiment captured three of the guns,
most of the wagons and ambulanceS,
beside our share OF the prisoners. 1t was
in this fight that the gallant young Cap
tain Ray was mortally wounded. Our
next fight worthy of mention was on
the memorable 10Th.
About 8 o'clock on the morning of the
10th, we were awakened by the bugles
sounding Boots and Saddles" and the
sharp report of carbiues. Soon we heard
heavy firing along our infantry lines,
and then we knew Early had pitched in
for big fight. The 8th corps was com
pletely surprised and soon came running
back upon the 10Th corps in confusion
The rebels had marched all night and
were ready When the signal was given
to charge in upon our infantry almost
in body. This being the case, the 18th
corps began TO fall back before the 9th
corps had formed for battle, This gave
the rebels great advantage and they i'm
proved it, too. Our cavalry had success
fully checked the advace of the rebel
cavalry when the LIST division was or
dered to the support of the infantry
Our army had retreated back to the
north side of Middletown, when Gen.
Sheridan came dashiDg up the pike from
| Winchester When the men saw the
| General coming they flung their caps
into the air and with cheer all started
for the front. Soon the word went
along the lines-"Gen. Sheridan has ar.
rived" Immediately the tide of battle
turned our infantry rushed to the front
and soon the roar of battle was terrific
Now came the time that tried the cour-
age of soldier-to turn defeat upon an
excited, victorious army. Slowly did
our line OF battle advance, and theI
faster, until the deafening roar rolled
onward towards Cedar Creek. As soon
as Gen. Sheridan came up Gen. Gustav
charged the rebel cavalry and easily and
hastily drove them one mile, when
"halt" was sounded. Our infantry rap.
idly advanced; the men of the 9th corps
and particularly those of the lst Yer.
mont brigade, fought as only veterans
can, and all through the day their ranks
kept well formed. Back rolled the
smoky waves of battle to our old camp.
ing ground, when Custar again at the
head of his men dashed on after the reb.
ell cavalry on our right. Rosser skedad.
died across the Greek, Gustav helping
him to hurry up his troopers with few
shells and three or four regiments OF
cavalry. The rebel army had now be,
come one entangled mass of skedaddling
cavalry, infantry and artillery. Now
was the time for cavalry charge. Gen
Gustav saw it, and at the head of the
First Vermont he dashed on past the
right of our infantry line to the scene OF
conflict. Many times has the First Yer
mont followed our general on the charge
but never in better style than on the
evening of the 10th. As we neared the
hill where the rebel artillery was post.
ed, the General turned around in his
saddle and said to the boys, "men we
will have that artillery; those guns