The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-10-17
sHERIDAss RIpE.

Having been an eye witness OF Sheri-
dams ride to the front on the morning of
October 10, 1864, am perhaps in posi-.
ton to make comment on the latter-day
historians who proclaim this incident OF
the war to be merely romantic fiction.
The battle OF Cedar Greek had begun In
the early dawn, and Sheridan was then
at Winchester, on his return to bis head
quarters, after having been summoned TO
Washington to attend q military consnlta-
ton which--ss was afterward developed
settled the work Of Sherldan's army
swinging down the valley, crossing the
Rspidan aud striking to the left of the
confederate army around Richmond. AS
is well known, on the night Of the 18th
Early had started bis troops, and on the
morning Of the 10Th of October he had
forced our lines and driven back both the
Eighth aud Nineteenth Corps. II is per-
perfectly true that on the morning of the
18th, Sheridan heard at Winchester of the
disaster, and started to rally bis troops
That morning was in command of de-
tachment conveying large ammunition
train from Winchester TO Cedar Greek.
We had been harrassed by Mosby's caval-
ry on our way, who struck us at frequent
intervals between Martinsburg, Bunker
Hill aud Winchester. On the 10Th we
started from Winchester about daylight. :.
We were not more than five miles from
the town when we heard the sharp cannon.
aiding that denoted an action 10 the front.
Our train was making tolerably good
time, and we were near Middletown,
when, on looking back, we perceived a
cloud of dust In our rear upon the turn
pike. We had no idea what caused il un-
III Sheridan came into view from the
surrounding cloud. lie had been down
TO Washington, and consequently had on
his uniform of ma general, which was
covered with dust. No jockey on the last
quarter of a four mile heat ever rode
harder than did Virginia Pike on bis big
black horse. His head was down, his
body slightly inclined forward, and his
soul thrown into the race against time,
with the fortunes of his army at stake. AS
he drew near to us be perceived that our
train blocked the road, and that it would
require some time TO clear 1t. He solved
the difficulty by cutting through an open
field TO our left, and striking the road
again after be had got ahead Of us. He
had oulridden almost everybody who
started with him from Winchester. The
only officer remember recognizing neal
bin was Gen WIN F. Fessenden, Jr., oi
| Maine who was some ten or fifteen
lengths in Sheridan's rear, aud who after
wards told me that his own English mare
was present from bis father (SenatoI
Fcsse nden,) aud was noted for speed, bui
had no chance along OF Sheridan aud
his tremendous black After these two
came Sheridan's staff officers, sItingini
out Ia long line, aud all oi Them pretty
well tired out with the pace be had Sc
them since they had letl Winchester.
The cavalry escort was about milo II
the rear, with their horses considerably
blown. have only written this much tt
demonstrate by one wituess, At least, lha
Sberidan's ride was an actually, aud ths
It deserves TO be preserved among the an
nails OF the noblest acts of American sol
diers.