The New York herald., 1878-08-18
GRANT And SHERIDAN.
Is the Latter Entitled to Un'
stinted Praise
HARD FIGHTING At CEDAR GREEK
Interesting Communications from Those
Who Made History.

TIE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEx-xoRz yEATH-
ERs FOR sHhRIDAN's CAP BY ONE WHO WAS
ON HAND LATE AND EARLY.
New YoRx, August II, 1878.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
As the discussion OF Lookout Mountain Is brighten
ing up the battle and cloudy featnersin "Fight
Ing Joe's" cap II may be well also 10 continue the
"sheridan's Ride" inquiry. and 1t would prove no
disgrace to Sheridan II he should be made TO share
the Slores OF that day with General Wright ind the
Sixth and MIN tn army corps.
Sheridan won glory enough at Winchester, one
month before his ride, and glory enough at the al
most bIoodiess battle OF Fishor's Hill, when he
maneuvred EARLY out OF his rocky stronghold, with
out giving him all the credit OF Cedar Crock.
As ono who took an active part in the battle OF
Cedar Creek, and hal charge OF the prisoners lover
one thousand) Tor the two days alter tho battle. It
may be interesting to know how 1t looked 10 me- and
what heard while encampsd with the prisoners 10
front OF Saerdau's tent-while rhere having con-
stant intercourse with Sheridan and his sta princ
paliy in matters relating to the prisoners but hear
ing much relating to the battle from both sides.
The sixth, the Eighth and Nineteenth corps were
facing Early; the sixth and Nineteenth were vets-
but the Eighth were reputed TO be new recruits
under General Crook The Nineteenth held the right
OF the front line Of works. the Eighth the left anu
the Sixth rear line as reserve. had occasion to
inspect The Eighth corps position and the condition
OF It's detencss tho night before the battle
gong along the entire line on some business
connected with the siection-and remarked ~ the
that tho Eighth seemed to DO ats nding more TO
dress parades than to building breastworks, as many
OF their dotences had only just been commenced
Early know this, and made Dreak through the lett
Of the ipc getting In Crooks rear he was then also
in tho Of the Nineteenth corps Our division or
marching order, ready TO 90 out and feel the enemy
In 'front.' when the ring was heard to our sft IN the
when We s md 10 aesr e0t
sunrise until three O'Clock, only resrcating IN ten
hours about four milos. This may be routed army.
but not what had supposed to DO genuine Bul
Run.
Tne only dsmoralized member OF regiment was
the black bear, and wo frightened him to the rear
lost should be the Rlories Of the victory
should one be gained. Veteran armies do not STAN
pede Tney will fall back when ordered or COM
PEELED, and this occasion contested tho tour miles
for the greater part OF day. aud then formed srong
enough ine OF battle 10 hold the enemy IN cnsck re-
was driven IN one hour over the same ground We had
been ten retreating on.
dan appeared riding along the line IN front OF u.s. aud
the NEw York HERALD informed the greater part OF
army that Sheridan had been absent up 20 that
time heard Sheridan compliment General Wright
for the manner which he had handled the army IN
and gave The sixth aud Nnsteeuth corps credit or
the victory won under such trying circumstances.
What sheridan would have done had he been ON
hand early In tho morning we cannot tell he might
not we'll General Wright ior the issue
OF a battle sometimes hangs upon single hair; so
slight thing messengers horse stumbling wnile
bearing important ordors changes the destiny Of q
nation. He could hardly havc done moro Tor his own
glory and the good OF the cause than was done when
the day euded-1,0O0 priosoners nifty pieces Of art
ery TAKEN and 100 900 c0pperheads given the blues
just before election as well as early convinced that
no S0' up TOO 'a'' ''' ''' e. Z. PARM2Y BROWN,
Formerly commanding company D, l59In regiment
New York State Volunteers.
THE DEAD AT LOOKOUT MouNrArN-LET NO
sAcRiLEeIoUs HAND tYFACR THEIR HONOR
ABLE RECORD.
To rBE EDITOR OF rHs AERALDs-
In reference to tho remarks OF Colonel Lane, In
which he states that Il s singular that the then Cap
tain Stsgman should have commanded or ed the skir
mish line, would simply say that Colonel bans should
rot his memory IN regard 70 certain reasons
not nscessaiy be menuened here why the intrepid
and gallant Robert Avery and our Major, Gilbert NJ
Elliott were not placed charge Of the limo OF skir-
mishers that day.
/ was the orderly sergeant OF Captain Stccman's
company, and had command OF tho same all tho day
of Lookout Mountain; in fact stcgman, Judge Ad-
vocats Of the divison, had not been with his com
pany some time previous. On the day OF Lookout
remember the right wing. OF which my company
formed part being ordered out by the Captain, snd
hls remarks to me personally, being an old boyhood
friend OF his, that he thought very few oil w would
D9sssou e1%s Out m ., would s% be- sasse But IL
that Of tho skirmish line followed Stegmsn's
lead from the rst 70 the lust at tho Craven
Major Elliott WAS killed soon after tho opening OF
the light, aud Leutsusnt Colonel Avery was wounded
wne cheering GU his men-lhs near the first fortih-
cations.
The account OF the battle by SteRman Ii the most
perfect have ever read, and cannot soc correction
10 be made Il Was just what he describes II 10 be-
For his action This battle he recommended tor
promotion by General Gsary, the brigade commander
aud secured the position OF major In alter days he
received other promotions, though, rs Colonel Lane
says, he WAS simple captain at Lookout The deaths
OF Gexry and ireland are sad IN tho fact tnat they
living to verify all that s repeated In ret.
srcnce tv the battle and ITS Incidents do not wish
10 aotract from Colonel Lanes honor but facts are
facts To General HOOKER all the credit IL Tor this
grand achievement aud no shouIu havo no grudg ny
allowance vi praise ior mis- gallant and splendid light
Yours truly. JOHN X. ELLIOTT,
Late Captain 1O2d New YORK; Brovot Major New York
Volunteers.
No. 1lS wAsHISGroS SrKEgr, NEWARK, N. j.. August
IL, 1875