The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-08-03
W0oDsFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO TUESDAY, AUGUST 1885,

26 miles to-day, and camped near the
Shenandoah River. On the 7ih we
marched miles and camped S;h,march.
ed 9 miles and csmped on Fishers Hill !;
also very cold to-day; heavy firing in
our front. 9th, very cold; our cavalry
kept warm by capturing a number Of
prisoners and artillery at Woodstock.
The 9th army corps left on the 10th our
company on picket. 10th, out foraeing !;
marched s miles and CAM ed near Cedar
Creek; we also voted. 18th. sdvance Of
the enemy; two hrieades--our own and
one more-moved out and met them
but, a'cr engaging them, were forced 10
fall back to Mount Cra ~ford or Strick.
ney farm. 14th. moved our camp. and
the en- my retreated; wss also detailed
as regimen,al orderly. 18th, recon-
noissance OF The 18th Army Cavalry
Corps. 18th, moved our camp and ctms
menced building breastworks ;,he enemy
also commenced Notifications We un.
derstand these movements 10 mean big
fight. 17th, still strengthening our po-
sition. 18th, reconnoitering and fight.
ing. After the 6ght at Fishers Hill,
General Sheridan had left his com.
mand for . time. and went to Washing
ton City With the belief that the vslley
Was cleared OF Confederat.s in arms.
But in this be was mistaken, as after de-
valopments proved. Early having re-
ceived reinforcements now came back,
and for q time it seemed that the
Nationals at Cedar Creek would be de.
stroYed. We fell back 10 Middletown
and turned upon the enemy. when dcs.
pera,e battle ensued Atthe com mmenc..
ment OF the battle, Sheridan was ct " in
chester on his way 10 the army He
heard the sound OF the battle, and mount
ing powerful blsck horse, be pushed on
toward Cedar Creek. He had not gone
far. when be met some Of the fugitive
soldiers from the lost battlefield. who
told him Of the destruction going on at
the front. He immediatelv ordered the
reireating artillery parked on each side
OF the turnpike, and ordering his escort
to follow, rode to the front On his way
there be met numbers OF fugi,ives, but
he did not stop to ehide nor coax; but
thundered on up the Shenandoah Vale,
waving bis bat and shouting TO the de
moralized troops: Face fhe other. way.
boys; face the o'ber way! We are 60
ing back to our camp to lick them out OF
their bootsl" He infused new life into
the soldiers and they turned as il one
man; aud from pel!.melI retreat com
menced daring charge Sheridan sill
kept shouting, "We'Il have all those can
non and camps back again." And thev
did so. Early was soon sent whirlipg
up the vrlley, With the national cavalry
under Emory on both Hanks. They fed
to Fishers Hill in great disorder, lsav-
Ing the highwa. strewn with men, waa.
obs and cannon. We recap,ured all that
bad been lost in the morning, and also
40 pieces Of artillery; in fact about eve
rything they had on wheels fell into our
hands. While The fight nas in progress,
l wss given charge Of the regimental
books and started Tor Winchester. On
my way there, ! met and passed SheIi-
dan on bis famous ride.
SHERIDAN's noted ride up The She.
nandoah Valley, and bis daring heroism
at the battle OF Cedar Creek, have been
made the subject Of very beautiful
poem by T. B. BEAD Tho poem has
become slmost as famous as the ride il.
self, and 10 to be found at the head OF
this article.
Ire BE Continued