The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-06-30

| winch accomplished IL moving across
the open fields in Il single line, without
| visible support, the ranks kept we'll
dressed, in spite of the stream of dead
and wounded which dropped constant
Iy 10 the rear, the pace being the ordi-
nary quick step, and the men firing at
will, but eoolly and rarely.
Gen. Hayes brigade belonged to the
division making the movement Just de-
scribed, and therefore bore a leading
part III this glorious affair. In course
of Crooks advance it occupied tine ex-
treme right of the line, and, crossing a
swampy stream, reached position
covered by an almost impenetrable
growth of cedar. Through this the
command pushed Gil, with Hayes brig
ade in front. The brigade then ad-
vanced rapidly, covered by light line
of skirmishers, driving the enemy's
cavalry. Crossing two or three open
fields, exposed to a scattering fire, the
brigade reached a slight elevation
where it came into full view of the en-
emy, who opened upon it a very heavy
fire of musketry and artillery. Col.
Hayes now started his command for
ward on a double quick, and dashing
through thick fringe of underbrush,
came upon q deep slough about fifty
yards wide and stretching nearly the
whole front of his brigade. The bot
tom was treaeherous ooze. and the
black water now churned by flying bull
lets, was on the near side about ten
feet deep. Just beyond it was a rebel
battery thinly supported, the slough
being itself deemed a sufficient pro-
lection. The movement was a critical
one. Should the brigade undertake to
go around the ostruction it would be
exposed to terrible enfilading fire, and
losing the enthusiasm of the charge,
would cerainly be discomfitted, and
the line of advance broken in its vital
part. Col. Hayes hesitated not an
instant. Catching the situation at a
glance, he gave the word forward to
his men. and then the example, as he
spurred into the horrible ditch. Horse
and rider sank nearly out of sight, but
the horse swan until lie struck the
spongy bottom, then gave a plunge or
two, and sank heIplessly in the Inire.
Dismounting, Col. Hayes waded to the
further bank, beckOning with his cap
to his soldiers, some of whom soon
succeeded in joining him. Many 9th
ers i'll attempting to follow, were kill
ed or drowned, but soon enough had
passed to form II nucleus for the brig
ade, and then, at Col. Hayes CON-
mand, lie leading, they climbed the
bank and made for the guns. But the
enemy, disinayed by SO bold a charge,
had withdrawn his battery just in time
to save it, and now confusedly He'd
In few minutes Col. Hayes re formed
his brigade on the further side of the
slough, and resumed the advance
Then followed succession of brilliant
charges, as the enemy attempted, at
various points, to rally his broken lines
In one of these charges, Col. Duval,
the division commander, was wounded
and carried from the field, devolving
the command upon Col. Hayes, who,
though his Adjutant- Genaral was shot
by his side. and men dropped all about
him, rode through it all as though he
possessed n charmed life.
The division dashed forward in pur.
suit, with all the vigor that victory in
spires. The passage of the slough was
the crisis of the tight, and the rebels
now broke to the rear in utter cOnfu-
sion. Then the cavalry, which had
followed the movement of the right,
swooped down upon them like hurri-
cane let loose, and seoOped them in by
regiments. The writer already quoted
who witnessed this movement from a
point farther to the left, thus describes
it:
cat the distance of half mile from
Us, to far away to distinguish all the
grand movements and results, the last
SC ne of the victorious drama was act
ed out. Crooks column (Hayes' Di-
vision leadiDg) carried the heights and
the fort which crowned them. We
could see the long dark lines moving
up the stony slopes; we could see and
hear the smoke and clatter of musket-
ry on the deadly summit; then we
could hear our comrades cheer of vic
tory. Early's battle was rapidly re-
duced to simple struggle to save him
self from utter -out."
BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.
Early now fell back to Fishers Hill.
eight miles south OF Winchester, and
there took mp position between the
North and Masautten Mountains, which
was regarded as the strongest in the
valley. Sheridan followed sharply,
and ON the 22d impetuously assailed
this new stronghold. The tactics of
Opequan We're repeated, the Sixth and
Nineteenth Corps attacking the enc
my's right and center, and Crooks
Corps being sent around 10 the right
TO envelope his left and rear Colonel
Hayes division led in this latter move
ment, and by making detOnr through
series of ravines arrived at point
OH Early's flank deemed unassailable
Clalnbering up the steep side of North
Mountain, which was covered with an
almost impenetrable ENHANCEMENT of
trees and underbrush, the Division un-
perceived gained a position close to
and in the rear of the enemy's line, and
then charged with perfect fury, insO-
much that the rebels scarcely made
any resistance at all, but fled in utter
rout and terror, leaving many guns
and hundreds of prisoner to the vieIo-
rious soldiers. Meanwhile Early's cen
ter had also been broken, and his army
precipitately fled from the field, dis
ordered mob. Col. Hayes was at the
head of his column throughout this
brilliant charge, not only directing the
movement, but by his example of per-
sanal daring, greatly adding to the ell
thusiasIn and inpetuOsity of his men.
Nearly a month elapsed, during
which Early thoroughly recognized
and largely increased his forces. Sher-
idan, after raiding the Valley with his
cavalry, had Withdrawn to a point
near Cedar Creek, six miles below
Fishers Hill. and had gone on flying
trip to Washington, devolving the
command upon his senior corps COM
mander, Gen. Wright. The troops
occupied high ground, Crooks corps
being in advance. Emory's Nineteenth
Oh the right, and about a mile in rear
of Crooks front line. and Wright's
Sixth on the right of Emory's, the ex-
treme right being covered by division
of cavalry. Crooks forces comprised
two divisions, Hayes and Thoburn's
numbering about four thousand men
in all, Hayes line being continuous of
that of the 18th Corps, and Thoburn
occupying a position about half mile
in advance of Hayes, covered by
light parapet. The nearest force of
the National cavalry of the left was at