The Portland daily press., 1881-11-11

nized their leader. Men who but a mo-
ment ago thought themselves defeated and
lost now became instantly transformed into
brave men. A shout went up it was carried
army knew by the uproar that Sheridan was
coming before they caught sight of his flying
steed. Like thunderbolt of war Sheridan
Suddenly appeared in the midst OF his broken
regiments, striking Gn. Getty's division OF the
Sixth Corps first three quarters OF mile nortn
of Middletown, and at little before ten o'clock
in the forenoon Sheridans presence at this
critical time was as good as ten thousand fresh
troops.
II is utterly impossible to attempt to describe
the excitement of the next three hours. For
two hours Sheridan rode up and down through
his army. Dashing into o regiment, and halt
ing for moment, he shouted: What regiment
Is this?" Every hand and hat and cap went up,
while the men shouted back the number and
State. Boys" said he; 'if had been here
this never would have happened! If you will
follow me will take you back to your old
camp ground before dark" Several times his
painting steed stood sosclose could haveput my
hand on his side, and then in moment he was
gone only to appear. in another regiment or
brigade with his ringing appeals. 1t was
sight witnessed once in lifetime, and never
to be forgotten. The moment Sheridan disap-
cared strange feeling came over me. l said
to myself: "Impossiblel Go back to our old
camp ground before dark? Our defeated, shat
tered army drive back the victorious rebel
army? Neverl" And l really thought 1t
wicked in Sheridan to deceive the troops with
any such statements. My fears were for mo
ment only; for like flash the thought came
across my mind: "Sheridan says we can go
back TO our camps if we will oRly follow him.
If Sheridan can go j can; will follow him."
and from that moment never doubted but
that we should conquer in some mysterious
way I suppose the same feeling of faith took
possession of the whole army.
Sheridan gave his orders in OargOn tn the di-
vision and corps commanders, not daring 10
trust them to Others 1t took but short time
to form a new line. The men were ordered TO
throw up breastworks of stones and dirt. Bay
onets and coffee-cups soon produced little line
of earthworks, behind which our troops waited
until a second line was formed in our rear from
the great crowd of stragglers. In the meantime
the rebel army had plundered the Union camps,
reformed their lines, and with colors flying,
moved out in magnificent order TO sweep from
the Shenandoah Valley the last of Sheridan's
army. The roar of cannon shook the hills,
while the Union troops waited in silence for the
charge. Sheridan ordered the commander OF
the Nineteenth Corps to stop the advance at all
hazards He did so after short and severe
struggle, in which General Grover was wound
ed and General Bidwell killed. Early, the
rebel commander, was astounded. de had no
doubt heard the wild shouts of the U MON troops,
and, from his position, might have seen Sheri-
dan dashing up and down nssfront OF the Union
lines, but he never dreamed of being held at
bav much less defeated. The rebel advance
having been temporarily checked, the rebel
line halted behind stone-wall which stretched
across the open fields evidently convinced that
rsenforcements to the Union army had arrived
and that bloody work was in store for them.
But Sheridan had no idea of waiting till his
enemy had strongly entrenched himself or his
own troops had lost their enthusiasm. His
sacred pledge had been given to his trusting
men and must be fulfilled. Right then and
there he determined to wipe out the stigma OF
this disgraceful defeat and make the same de-
spatch that carried the news OF the overthrow
of his army carry the also thrilling tidings OF
its glorious victory.
IL was half-past three O'Clock. Sheridan had
two firm lines formed across the valley. Massa-
chusetts men stood in Vermont regiments and
Vermont men stood in Western regiments, but
all under one hag-the stars and stripes. The
shock of the morning had brought about
strange associations, but it was life or death
now and men forgot everything but the i'm
pending strife. Suddenly, without moments
warning, the order ran down the line for
general advance. Men were struck dumb with
astonisament, but hesitated not moment, and
sweeping over the slight breastworks, swept on
into the open fields to grapple in the terrible
struggle. It was magnificent sight. The two
armies met; the rebel batteries poured storm
of shot and shell into our ranks, followed by
tremendous volleys of musketry; the shock was
awful, and our lines were actually rent before
them. For moment all seemed lost again, as
our troops slowly gave way to the whitening
flames, while the piercing yell OF the enemy
rose above the battle-a horrid reminder OF the
morning. But Sheridan was with us now. AT
the sight of his army struggling against such
fearful odds the lion of his nature was aroused,
and, instead of being overwhelmed, he rose
above it, and, galloping amid the broken
ranks, he, by his thrilling appeals and super
human efforts, snatched victory from the very
Jaws of defeat. The wavering lines instantly
closed, as if cemented by some unseen hand,
and the Union army threw itself tae second
time into the fire of death this time to be beai-
en- back at one or two points.
At this moment avid shout was heard in
the center, and the cry ran swiftly up and
down the line: 1.-The rebels are giving way!
The rebels are giving wayp' I remember the
cry as though uttered but yesterday, and no
tongue can describe the excitement that in
stantly followed; the very air seemed charged
with electricity. Regiment after regiment
flung itself recklessly upon the rebel host.
Slowly but surely the rebel army was giving
way to our impetuous charges: The vollels OF
musketry were deatening and the plain shook
with the roar of artillery Sheridan shone like
q pillar of fire as he dashed furiously, unmnd-
full of danger, up and down through the regi-
ments, urging the men on. Men seemed to
lose all fear of death; they were intoxicated
with excitement, and, although the field pre-
sented a CHASTITY spectacle, the dead and wound
ed lying everywhere, nothing could check the
wild enthusiasm of both officers and men.
Cannon after cannon, battalion after battalion,
were captured by the infantry, and the trained
squadrons of Clusters and Merritts cavalry came
laundering down upon the doomed rebel army,
doubling up their ranks and actually cleaving
a path through their ranks. The rebel rout
was complete and great victory won. True
to his word, Sheridan ordered the different
regiments that night to take possession of the
camp grounds from which they We're drivenrin
the morning.
The closing scene was grand and awful.
Darkness had settled down on the battlefield
the retreating army were crowding and strug-
Cling across the valley and creek; on the banks
and from the old earthworks OF the morning
twelve or fifteen pieces of artillery were belch-
ing forth angry flames, dealing death and des-
truction in the terrified ranks of the retreating
foe. This closed one of the most remarkable
battles in history. Other lost fields have been
won, but rarely by the presence of a single
man. Napoleon lost Marengo. but won itagain
by the arrival of General Desaix with his fresh
column. But here lost battle was won by the
arrival of Sheridan alone. Our loss was over
six thousand men. The enemy captured from
our troops in the morning twenty-four pieces
of artillery. These were recaptured, and
twenty-four more were taken from the enemy
in the afternoon, making forty-eight pieces.
Ten battle-fags were also captured and sever
al thousand prisoners. General Sheridan
changed horses once during the battle He
rode the famous black horse from Winchester
to the field of battle, and on the field until the
final charge, Just before four O'Clock, when,
covered with foam, its neck still proudly arch
ed and eyes flashing fire, it was led away with
honor enough for one day, and Sheridan mount