The National tribune., 1883-06-28
\ VERY CLOSE SgAVE.
How Rebel Shell Came Near Defeating
the Purpose Of Sheridan's Ride.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:


Through the kindness Of brother comrads
/ have been permitted to read several issues Of
your paper, which / find 20 be a true and
thorough exponent Of all matters that relate
to cur vast army of ex-sOldiers who are pIod-
ding out the remainder of their days with
broken health, and subjected to the unjust
accusations Of sUch men as Beck, of Kentucky.
Ny attention has been particularly called to
communication which appeared IN your issue
OF May II, wherein Mr.. Z. III. Sampson, Of
Norris, H., asks the members Of Sheridans
cavalry corps whether, In their opinion, there
was surprise az Cedar Creek, aud as 7 had the
honor to belong to the cavalry corps from
its first formation, a8d served under such
commanders as St0neman, BUfOrd, PlcasontOn,
Sheridan, TOrbeit, Merritt and Devin l feel
compelled to reply 1t was my privilege at
the time of the Cedar Creek fight to be at
tached to the headquarters oil the commanding
officer of my regiment. my duty beng to carry
dispatches and take charge Of the mail In the
course of the duty / was ordered on the 18th
of October, 1864, to proceed from Cedar Creek
to W uehester, Q distance OF twenty miles, with
the usual escort that was necessary for the pro-
lection Of Our eouriers against the sudden
appearance Of NOsby in that locality The
day a most beautiful one, with just enough
chill Ia the air TO make one wish that autumn
might always remain with US.
General Sheridan, at the close Of one Of the
greatest victories achieved by any. commander
during the whole war-one that not only had
pat to fight the rebel army under JubaI Early,
which had often been called the fewer Of all
the troops IN Virginia, but had laid IN wasta
the richest valley in the whole Southern Con-
f-Geracy, which had long been a source Of
supplies for the government at Richmond
had just been called to Washington, Ia
order that conference might be held at the
War Department, and a proper disposition
made of his troops, who were now receiving
the praise of the whole loyal North Before
leaving, however, The General had looked well
70 his position, and having placed in command
his next senior officer, General Wright, who
commanded the Sixth Corps gave him instrue-
tons to look well TO his ground and be well
prepared, and 20 get up everything that could be
spared. Now, / have no desire 10 disparage the
ability of such general as Wright but / have
always been at q loss to know why the two cav
airy divisions OF Merritt and Custer should have
been taken from the immediate front and
center Of the enemy'S line, which rested upon
the Winchester pike, the only available cross
ing for our troops in front Of Fishers HILL
aud sent miles away upon our right, whers
the possibility of q flank movement by
the enemy was very meager, and why
PowellS division OF cavalry was left near FronB
Royal, upon the eastern margin of the Valley,
instead of being concentrated, as Sheridan
had ordered just before taking his departure
for Washington. Merritt's and Clusters two
divisions numbered over 1000 men ST for duty,
and We're undoubtedly the finest mounted troops
IN the world, armed as they were with their
Spencer repeating ear5ineS, and expert in sud-
denly transforming themselves, as occasion re-
CURED from troopers into foot soldiers. Sheri-
dams troopers, indeed, have very justly been
termed the eye and the right arm OF his fight
ing column" These troops should have been
placed by General Wright IN the same position
which they occupied on the morning of the 9th,
after General Sheridan had ordered General
forfeit, chief Of cavalry, to face about and
whip the enemy or get whipped himself -
Msrritt's right flank resting upon the Winehes-
ter pike, with Clusters left flank adjoining
the position they occupied when Sheridan
reached the field of battle near Cedar Creek,
to fnd the two corps of infantry trying to re-
organize, they having been previously COM
pletely demOraIized. 1t was my privilege ON the
morning which has since become so historic
having remained IN Winchester over night
/ to join Sheridan's body guard so that
/ we arrived at the advance line of battle al
most the same moment that Sheridan did
having ridden the e..tire twenty miles at q
galiop. My regiment was posted upon the
right flank Of Merritt's division, with it's
right resting upon the pike, from which
position Sheridan scanned the entire field OF
I battle, the result being q quickly formed IN
tention to attack the enemy and save the day
if possible. But just rs the gallant commander
was about TO direct his aids TO order she lines
to advance, shell from q rebel battery struck
the ground near him and exploded endanger-
ing his life and the lives of his staff. NV own
escape was one Of those fortunate accidents of
war; and / have often asked myself the cues
ton, What would have been the result had
General Sheridan lost his life By that shell,
which he so miraeuI0usiy escaped ?" 1t was
well that a Divine Providence had ordered
otherwise. Never viii I forget as long as
live those cheers for Little PhiE.7 started by
the gallant Sixth" and taken up BY the whole
line as it stretched away for miles upon
either flank of that historic pike The loss
which our troops sustained as the result of the
days battle was over 1000 killed and wounded,
which, as must be admitted, was very heavy
price to pay for the neglect which allowed
our infantry TO be so completely surprised, as
they surely We're nc Cedar Creek, on the morn
ing of October 10. 1864. Myregiment encamped
that night quite a considerable distancs south
of Fishers Hill, having, with other regiments,
reeaptured the cannon lost IN the morning,
and also hurried Old Early" so fast that he
was obliged to leave all MS own artillery upon
the field which he won so easily &C tho begin
ming of the day. Let Us hear from others.
HENRY II. PRESTON,
Late serg't 9th n. y. v. v. cav, commanding
troop u.
SHELTER ISLAND, SUFFOLK Co.