Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1884-02-13

A full-page portrait Of General Sher-
ldan is one of the attractions of the
February Century. 1t accompanies an
admirable sketch of his career by Cen
eral Badeau, who compares Sheridan
with Hannibal. A thrilling account is
given of the turning point in the battle
OF Winchestor SHERIDAN, however,
had SO devastated the valley that it
could furnish him no supplies, and he
was fifty miles from base. He there
fore continued his retrogade movement
as far as Cedar Creek. From this
point, on the 18th of October, he was
summoned by the government to
Washington for consultation, and dur
ing his absence Early determined once
more to 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
diven back, portions of it in great dis
order, six or seven miles. Eighteen
guns were captured, and nearly a
thousand prisoners, n large part of the
infantry not preserving even a com
pany 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 it WIS supposed to pro-
ceed. from reconnaissance, and a!
nine o'clock Sheridan rode out of Win
chester, all unconscious of the danger
to his army. Soon, however, the sound
of heavy battle was unmistakable, 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 brigade Il
his troops at Winchester across the
country to stop the stragglers. Then
with an escort of twenty mon, ne
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 hun
dreds of the men turned ut once anC
followed him with cheers.
cater reaching the army he gave
some hurried directi. ms, and returne,
to collect the fugitives. He was il
major generals uniform, mounted on
magniti cent horse, man and beast Gov
cred with dust and foam; and as h
rose in his stirrups, waving his hat an
his sword by turns, he cried again an
again: If had been here, this neve
would have happened. We are goin
back. Face the other way, boys! fac
the other wayn The scattered soldier
recognized their general, and took u
the cry: Face the other way!
passed along from one to another, riS
ing and falling like wave of the sea
and the men returned in crowds, fa
ling into ranks as they came. The
followed him to the front, and man
who had fled, painting and panic
stricken, in the morning, under Sher
dams lead had covered themselv,
with the glory of heroes long befol
night. Such reinforcement may or
man be TO an army.
"A few dispositions, anC the bait
began afresh. But now all w,
changed. The enemy advanced, it
: true, but were all at once repealed, ar
the national line, in its turn, becan
the assailant. Sheridan led brigaC
in person, and the enemy everywhe
gave way. Their officers found it il
possible to rally them; terror of Il
national cavalry had seized them. IL
captured guns were all retaken, al
1 twenty-four pieces of artillery beside
E, Sixteen hundred prisoners we
!, brought in, and Early report
q eighteen hundred killed and wounde
4 Two thousand made their way to t
a mountains, and for miles the line of I
a treat was strewn with the derbs of
:. beaten army. Early himself escap
:. under cover of darkness to Ne
Il market.
HSharidaO NvSS n, a de a IN q ior Oapf