The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-01-26
Sheridan's Famous Ride.

A fullpage portrait of General Sheridan
is one of the attractions of the February
Century. 1t accompanies an admirable
sketch of his career by General Badeau,
who compares Sheridan with Hannibal.
A thrilling account is given of the turning
point in the cattle of Winchester as follows:
sheridan, however, had so devastated the
valley that ii could furnish him no supplies,
and he was fifty miles from base. He
therefore continued his retrograde move
ment as far as Cedar Creek. From this
point, on the 18Th of October, he was sum-
moned by the Government to Washington
flr insulation, and during his absence
Early determined once more to attack the
national army. The plan was well con-
ceived. The enemy advanced in the night,
and before dawn surprised and attacked the
national forces, still in camp. The army
was driven back, portions of ii in great dis
order, six or seven miles. Eighteen guns
were captured, and nearly a thousand pris-
oners, a 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 10Th, but 1t was supposed to
proceed from a reconnaissance, and at nine
o'clock Sheridan rode out of Winchester, ali
Soon, however, the sound of heavy battle
was unmistakable, and haf a mile from the
town the fugitives came in sight with APP
palling rapidity. He at once ordered the
trains halted and parked, and stretched a
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 in haste, swinging his
hat nd ffr1er A.. o. ~.
other way, boys! face the other wayP And
hundreds of the men turned at once and
followed him with cheers.
2 After reaching the army he gave soma
hurried directions, and returned TO collect
the fugitives. He was in maior-generaps
iiform, mounted on 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 l had been here this never
would have happened. We are going back.
Face the other way, boysl face the other
wasp The scattered soldiers recognized
their general, aud took up the cry: Face
the other wayp 1t passed along from one
TO another, rising and falling like wave of
the sea, aud the men returned in crowds,
falling into ranks as they came. They fol-
lowed him to the front, and many who had
fed, painting and panic-stricken, in the
morning, under Sheridan's lead had COW
cred themselves with the glory of heroes
long before night. Such reinforcement
may one man be to an armyl
A few dispositions, and the battle began
afresh. But now all was changed. The en-
emy advanced, 1t is true, but were at once
repelled, aud the national line, in its turn,
became the assailant. Sheridan led bri-
gade i'll person, and the enemy everywhere
gave way. Their officers found it impossi-
be 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, aud Early re-
ported eighteen hundred killed and wound
ed. Two thousand made their way to the
mountains, and for miles the line of retreat
was strewn with the debris of beaten army.
Early himself escaped under cover of dark
ness to Newmarket.
Sheridan was made major-general In the
regular army, as he was Informed. in Lin
COINS own words, for the personal gallan-
try, military skill, and just confidence in the
courage and gallantry OF your troops. dis
played by you on The 10th day of October, at
Cedar Kun, whereby, under the blessing OF
providence, your routed army was reorgan-
lied, great national disaster averted, and
brilliant victory achieved over the rebels
Tor the third time in pitched battle within
thirty days
1t was Just eleven weeks since Sheridan
had assumed command in the Valley. In
that time be had taken thirteen thousand
prisoners, forty-nine battle flags, and sixty
guns, besides recaptu ing eighteen cannon
at Cedar Greek He must besides have
killed and wounded at least nine thousand
men, SO that he destroyed for the enemy
twenty-five thousand soldiers. Turning
what bid fair to be disaster into glorious
victory stamps Sheridan said Grant, what
have always thought him. one of the sbIest
of generals f"