The National tribune., 1883-09-13
sheridan's Veterans in the valley.
removal.

Sher1GanS veterans the valley
As repeatedly announced in THE TRIB-
UNE, Sheridan's veterans viii next week
revisit the scenes of their splendid achieve
sin the Shenandoah Valley, and apropos
of that event we print on our first page, this
week, q comprehensive and extremely inter
esting article on Sheridans short, brilliant,
and decisive campaign in the valley in the
autumn of 1864, which resulted in closing
that famous highway of war forever to Con-
federate raiders. On both sides the possession
of this now historic soil was most stubbornly
and brilliantly contested, and the series of
battles-0pequon, Fishers Hill, and Cedar
Creek-which resulted, finally, in the Wrest-
ing of the disputed territory from the Con-
federate grasp, were among the most des-
perate and bloody contests of the war. The
purpose and character of this brilliant cam
saign of Sheridan's viii be found duly set
forth in the paper which we print this week,
as well as the relation of the several move
ments to each other and the part taken by
each command in the several engagements,
and We also publish, as shedding fresh light
upon most interesting subject OF military
controversy, a number Of interesting letters
from subscribers to THE TRIBUNE, who par
ticipated in the affair at Cedar Geek, con-
cerning the manner in which that decisive
battle was lost and won
AS for the approaching veterans excur-
sion, that promises to be most pleasurable
occurrence. The party viii be numerous and
the excursion so conducted as to save the
participants from all the usual annoyances
and discomforts Of railway travel Many
distinguished officers will accompany it, and
it is understood that General w. H.
Emory, the gallant commander of the Nine
teenth Army Corps, will himself join the
excuTsionists in this city and make the trip
with them. One of the features of this
peaceful invasion of the valley viii be the
posting ofmarking flags on the battlefelds by
the survivors of the regiments which fought
there, and for this purpose flags of distinct
i've colors have already been selected. If any
doubt has existed Ia the minds of our Yeter-
ans as to the sort of reception that awaits
them at the hands of the present inhabit-
ants OF the valley, it viii be dispelled by the
statement that the city council of Win.
chester Va, has adopted a series of resoIu.
tions extending to the visitors a most hearty
welcome and tending them the freedom O
the city, while the citizens themselves, q ir
mass-neeting assembled" have made pro
visions to give their Northern guests gen
uine Southern welcome. That this feeling O
hearty goodwill viii be cordially recipro
Gated by Sheridan's veterans we have no
the slightest doubt; and, indeed, it is fore
r shadowed in the reply of chairman Carol
d. Wright, of the excursion committee, t,
the resolutions of the Winchester city coun
2 ell, IN the course Of which he says.
assure you, sir, that bespirit of fyourresolution
is most thoroughly appreciated by the projectors O
l the excursion. In the same spirit we visit YOU
beautiful valley and the soldiers of the Sout
soldiers not partisans. to celebrate the valo
q of American soldiers. What more fitting spot 70
such celebration than the battleelds of theShenan
doah where this valor was most eonspicuousl
displayed by both armies?
? Indeed, we cannot but think that thi
: holiday excursion of Northern veterans VIII
e long ago resumed their ordinary avocations
S and are now concerned only in the upbuild
n ing of the whole country-South as well a
a North-and whose money, in fact, has helpe,
e the South to rebuild its ruined mills an
d factories and to rekindle the glowing fire
y of industry, viii have most happy effec
:? in deepening and perfecting the good under
It standing which now exists between thes
!? once estranged sections of the country. ]
e is gratifying, too, from the standpoint of th
Is soldier, to note in this another illustration q
the revival of interest in the battleields q
r the war, and disposition to suitably mar
It the principal points of historic interest Will
e yet il is possible to do so with absolute az
s curaey. Thanks TO the indefatigabIe effort
/ of Colonel Batchelder this work is now yer
n far advanced Of Caffvs3,u-v o,d ~, H..