The Republican journal., 1884-02-21
Sherldan's Famous Ride.

\ full-page portrait of General Sheridan is
one of the attractions Of the February Century.
1T accompanies an admirable sketch OF his
career by General Badeall, who compares Sher-
idan with Hannibal. a thrilling account is
given of the turning point in the battle of W in
chester SHERIDAN, however, had 50 devastated
the valley that ii could furnish him no supplies
and he was fifty miles from Il base He there
fore continued his rctrograde movement as far
a> Cedar Greek. From this point, ON the 18th
of October. he was summoned by the Govern
ment to Washington for consultation. and dur
his absence Early determined once more to at
tack the national army. The l,dn 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, portions of it in great disorder,
six OF seven miles. Eighteen guns We're cap
tured. and nearly thousand prisoners, large
part of the infantry not prescrN ing even a com
panv organ IatiOn.
"Sherdan 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 was supposed to proceed
from a reconnaissance, and at nine o'clock
Sheridan rode out of Winchester, all uncOn-
sciOus of the danger to his army. Soon, how
ever. the sound of heavy battle was unmj~tal-
able, and half mile from the town the fugi-
tlves came IN sight with appalling rapidity. He
at once ordered the trains halted and parked,
and stretched a brigade of his troops at Win
chester across the country to stop the straggers.
Then, with an escort of twenty men, he pushed
to the front. The effect of his prt>e nee 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 at once and followed him with
cheers
AFTER reaching the army he gave some hur-
ried directions, and returned to collect the tugi
tives. He was III maor-gencrafS uniform
mounted on a magnificent horse. man and beast
covered with dust and foam; and rs 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. rising and falling like Il wave
OF the sea, and the men returned in crowds,
falling into ranks as they came. They follow
ed him to the front, and many who had He'd.
painting and panic->tricken, in the morning, I'M
der Sherilan'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 all was changed. The en-
emy advanced, it is true. but were at once re-
PEELED, and the national line, i'll its turn. became
the as>aiIant Sheridan led a brigade in person.
and the enemy everywhere gave way. Their
officers found it impossible to rally thtm Il ter
ror of the national cavalry had seized them.
The captured guns were all ietaken, and tWtn-
ty-four pieces of artillery besides. SiNteen
hundred prisoners We're brought in, and Early
reported eighteen hundred killed ard wounded.
Two thousand made their way 10 the noun
tans, and for miles the line of retreat WAS
streWn with the debris of beaten army. Early
himself escaped under cover Of darkness TO
Newmarket
''Sheridan was made II maior-general in the
regular army, he was informed, in Lincon'S
own words for the personal gaIlantry, milf
tarV skill, and llSt confluence in the courage