Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-01-30
VOL. XII.
Sheridan's Famous Ride.

A iull page portrait of Gen Sheridan is
one oil the attractions of the February
CeMury 1t accompanies an admirable
sKetch OF his career by Gen. Badeau, who
compares Sheridan with Hannibal. A
thrilling account is given of the turning
point in the battle of Winchester:
"Sherldan, however, had so devastated
ihe valley that it could furnish him nc
supplies, and he was fifty miles from a
base. lie accordingly continued his
retrogade movement rs far as Cedar Creek
from this point, on the 18th of October,
ne was summoned by the government to
Washington for consultation, and during
MS absence early determined once more
10 attack the national army. The plan
was well conceived. The enemy advanced
IN the night, and before dawn surprised
and attacked the national forces, still in
camp. The army was driven back, por-
tlons OF IT IN great disorder, six or seven
miles. Eighteen guns were captured and
nearly thousand prisoners, ii large part
ol the infantry not preserving even a
company organization.
Sheridan had left Washington on the
/ 18th, and slept ut Winchester, twenty
miles from his command. Artillery firing
was reported early on the 10Th, but it was
supposed to proceed from reconnaissance,
and at nine O'Clock Sheridan rode out of
winchester, all unconscious of the danger
| to his army. Soon, however, the sound
oil heaVy battle was unmistakabie, and
half mile from the town the fugitives
came in sight with appalling rapidity.
lie at once ordered the trains halted and
parked, and stretched a brigade of his
troops at Winchester across the country
to stop the straggers. Then with sn
escort OF 20 men he pushed TO the front.
The effect OF his presence was electrical
lie rode hot haste swinging his hat and
shouting as he passed Face the other way,
boys! face the other wayn And hundreds
OF the men turned at once and followed
him with cheers.
"After reaching the army he gave some
hurried directions, and returned to collect
! the iuSitives. He was in major-general's
uniform mounted on II magnificent horse,
man and beast covered with dust and
foam, and as he rose in his strrups, wav.
ing his hat and bis sword by turns, he
cried again and again: If | had been
here this never would have happened.
We are going back Face the other way,
boys! face The other way The scattered
soldiers recognized their general, and
took up the cry: Face the other way!'
1t passed along from one to another, rising
and falling like wave of the sea, and the
men returned in crowds, falling into ranks
as they came. They followed him to the
front, and many who had fled, painting
and panic stricken in the morning under
Sheridan's lead had covered themselves
with the glorv of heroes long before night
Such reinforcement may one man be TO
an army.
"A few dispositions. and the battle
began afresh. But now all was changed.
The enemy advanced it is true, bat were
at once repelled. and the national line, in
ITS turn, became the assailant. Sheridan
led brigade in person, and the enemy
everywhere gave way. Their officers
found it imposs Bile to rally them a terror
of the national cavalry had seized them
The captured guns were all retaken, and
"a pieces of artillery besides. Sixteen
hundred prisoners were brought in, and
Early reported 1900 killed and wounded.
Two thousand escaped to the mountains,
and for miles the line of retreat was
strewn with the debris of beaten army.
Early himself escaped under cover of
darkness to Newmarket.
kouCl ludu was iHutiC u 'ScuCIul III
the regular army. as he was informed in
Lincon's own words, for the personal
gallantry, military skill, and just conf
dence in the courage and gallantry of
your troops, displayed by you on the 10Th
day of October, at Cedar Run, whereby
under the blessing of providence, your
routed army was reorganized, great
national disaster averted, and a brilliant
victory achieved over the rebels for the
third time in pitched battle within so days
sit was just eleven weeks since Sheri-
dan had assumed command in the Valley.
In that time he had taken $4,000 prison
ers, 40 battle flags and 60 guns, besides
recapIuring Is cannon at Cedar Creek.
He must besides have killed and wounded
at least 5000 men, SO that he destroyed
for the enemy $4,000 soldiers. Turning
what bid fair to be disaster into glorious
victory. stamps Sheridan,' said Grant.
'what have always thought him-one OF
the ablest of generals"