The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-20
Sheridan's Famous Ride.


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Sheridan's Famous Ride.
Sheridan, however, had 40 devastated
the valley that it could furnish him no
supplies. and he was fifty miles from
base. He therefore continued his ret
rograde movement as far as Cedar
Greek. From this point, on the 10Th OF
October, he was summoned by the Gov
eminent to Washington for consulta-
ton, and during his absence Early de-
termined once more to attack the
national army. Tho plan was well
conceived. The enemy advanced III
the night, and before dawn surprised
and attacked the national forces, still
in camp. The army was driven back,
portions of it in great disorder, six or
seven miles. Eighteen guns were cap
tured, and nearly thousand prisoners,
large part of the infantry not pre-
serving even company organization.
Sheridan had left Washington on the
18th. and slept at Winchester, twenty
miles from his command. Artillery
firing was reported early on the 18th.
but 1t was supposed to proceed from a
reconnaissance, and at 8 o'clock Sheri-
dan rode out of Winchester, all uncon-
scious of the danger to his army. Soon,
however, the sound of heavy battle was
unmistakable, and half q mile from the
town the fugitives came in sight with
appalling rapidity. He at once ordered
the trains halted and parked, and
stretched brigade Of his troops at
| Winchester across the country TO stop
the stragglers. Then, with an escort
of twenty men, he pushed to the front.
The effect of his presence was electrical.
He rode hot haste, swinging his hat,
and shouting as he passed, Face the
other way, boys! face the other way"
And hundreds of the men turned OF
once and followed him with cheers
After reaching the army he gave
some hurried directions, and returned
to collect the fugitives. He was in
major generals uniform, mounted on a
magnificent horse, man and beast
covered with dust and foam; and, as he
rose in his stirrups, waving his hat and
his 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, ris-
ing and falling like wave of the sea,
and the men returned In crowds, falling
into ranks as they came. They fol-
lowed 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 glory
of heroes long before night. Such a
reinforcement may one man be to an
army.
A few dispositions, and the battle
began afresh. But now oil was changed.
The enemy advanced, it Is true, but
were ut once repealed, 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 impossible to rally
them; a terror of the national cavalry
had seized them. The captured guns
were all retaken, and twenty-four
pieces of artillery besides Sixteen
hundred prisoners were brought In,
and Early reported 100 killed and
wounded. Two thousand made their
way to the mountains, and for miles the
line of retreat was strewn with the de-
bris of beaten army. Early himself
escaped under cover of darkness to
Newmarket.
Sheridan was made n major general
in the regular army, as he was In
formed, in Lincoln's own words, for
the personal gsllsntry, military skill,
and Just confidence In the courage and
gallantry of your troops, displayed by
you on the 18th dry of October, at
Cedar Run, whereby. under the bless
ing of Providence, your routed army
was reorganized, great national dis
aster ayerted, and brilliant victory
achieved for the third time in pitched
battle within thirty days.
1t was just eleven weeks since Sheri-
dan had assumed command In the VAL
ley. In that time he had taken 1900
prisoners, forty-nine battle flags, and
sixty guns, besides recapturing eight
cen cannon Mt Cedar Creek. He must,
besides, have killed and wounded ut
least 5000 men, 80 that he destroyed
for the enemy $1,000 soldiers Turn
ing what bid fair to be n disaster into
glorions victory stamps Sheridan, said
Grant, what l have always thought
him-one of the ablest of generals.