The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-08-15

fight the eneny's cavalry and got
supplies on the James Making wide
detour TO avoid Lee, he next turned
straight for Lees rear and for Richmond.
At last he passed the North Anna then,
launching out a single division in all
haste to Beaver Dam Station, he eaptnr-
ed rich store of supplies, and was
thenceforth in 10 fear of what might be-
fall before be could reach his rations on
tine James. His horses were now turned
toward Richmond. The rebel cavalry
followed in bewilderment, and when his
purpose dawned upon them they bent
every energy to intercept him. In this
they did not succeed until his guidons
were within six miles of Richmond. In
this raid against the enemys lines OF
communication with Richmond, Sheri-
dan destroyed the depots, trains and
track at Beaver Dam and Ashland Sta
/ tions, liberated 400 Federal soldiers, de-
feated the enemy at yellow Tavern,
where their best cavalry leader, J. Z. B.
/ Stuart, was mortally wounded, and on
/ May 18th was again with the main army.
/ This raid drew off nearly all the enemy's
Z trains an easy matter. Thenceforth the
I cavalry Of the Army of the Potomac had
/ confidence in themselves and in their
leader, and were no longer doubtful Of
their power to compete with equal or su-
perior forces OF the enemy. On June 7th
Sheridan started with two divisions
around the left of Lees army TO destroy
the Virginia Central Railroad. lie ac-
complished his object and then went 10
Trevillian's, on the Virginia Central, where
he routed Wade Hampton on June llth
On the following day he tore up the rail-
road nearly to Louisa Court House when,
advancing toward GordonsYiIle, an indie
cisive engagement took place. Not hear
ing from Hunter who was 20 meet him
there, Sheridan withdrew and rej0iaed
the army on June 18th.
THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY DEvAsrATEB. /
On August :, 1864, the Middle, West
Virginia, Washington and Susquehanna
Departments were constituted the Middle
Military Division and Sheridan was
placed in command. Many severe cav
airy skirmishes occurred during Augcst
and early in September, but there was
no general engagement, although the
81 -. IL
Early being ca the west bank Of OPeqGan
Greek, covering Winchester, and Sheri- /
dan in front of Berryville-that either
side could bring on battle at will. De /
feat to Sheridan would have exposed /.
Maryland and Pennsylvania to invasion. /
Grant, however. saw the need of having
the unObstructed use of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad and the Chesapeake {
and Ohio Canal, and he determined to
attack the enemy. But before doing SO
he visited Sheridan September l6l The
latter expressed such confidence of sue
cess that Grant gave him only two words
of instructions: $50 inr' Three days
later Sheridan attacked Early at the eros
sing of the opequan, and after a severe
battle he routed the enemy and captured
5000 men and five guns. Early rallied
his forces at the strong position of Fish
er's Hill, where he was again defeated,
September -, with heavy loss and puT-
sued to the mountains Sheridan de
vastated the valley on his return, making
it untenable for the enemy's army. For
his service at this time he was made.
at the age of thirty-three years, briga-
dier-general in the regular army. his com
mission being dated September 10, 1864.
When sheridan started on his raid up
the valley his first orders were:
In pushing up the valley, it il desir-
able that nothing should be lef! to invite
the enemy to return. Take all proyis-
ions, forage and stock wanted for the Use
Of your company. Such as cannot be
consumed destroy 1t i not desirable
that buildings should be destroyed-they
should rather be protected but the peo-
pie should be informed that 50 long as an
army can subsist among them, occurrences
Of these raids must be expected, and we
are determined to stop them at all haz-
ards.
In his official report after the rlidSher-
idan said:
Fully coinciding in the views and IN
structions of the Lieltenant-G General, that
the Valley should be made barren
waste, stretched the calvary across, from
the Blue Ridge to the eastern slope Of
the AIleghanies. with directions to burn
all forage and drive off all stock, etc, as
they moved to the rear.
From the Blue Ridge to North Noun
tain over 1000 barns, filled with wheat
and hay and farming implements, and
over seventy mills fllei with -four and
wheat were drestoryed, and over 1000
head of stock were driven in front Of the
army. Bat positive orders were given
against the burning Of dwellings.
WINCHESTER.
Orders were now issued from Washing
ton for Sheridan to take a position far
enough South to serve a. a base for fur
ther operations upon Gorionsville and
Charlottesville, which positi N was to be
strongly fortified and proy..;aned." To
this plan he objected, and he was sum
moned 70 Washington for consultation. I
He put his army in order and fastened
to the capital, where he spent only six
hours. But that brief absence meant I
mischief On the night OF October Is
Early and Longstreet moved their
forces stealthiIy and noiselessly from
Fishers Hill to the left flank ofthe Union
Army. General Wright, whom Sheridan
had left in command, was apprehensive Of
IN attack only on the right In the dark
ness the rebels crept around the sleeping