Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-06-01
sheridan at Cedar Creek.

Writing of the crisis of the surprise at
Cedar Greek. and the arrival of Sheridan.
A. f. Walker says:
"Whil waiting for the complete re-
formation of the army, sulklly and, it is
to be feared, %profanely growing over
the defeat in detail which we had ex-
perienced though not IN the least dis
posed to admit that our division has
beer whinped-in tsct. a little proud Of
what we had already done-snd expect
ing the rebel charge, which we grew
more and more confident W 9 should re-
pulse, we heard cheers from behind us
on the pike. We were astounded. There
| we stood, driven four miles already,
| quietly waiting for what might be turth-
er and immediate disaster, while far in
the rear we heard the atra9glers and
hospital hummers, and the gunless
artillery men actually cheering as though
o victory had been won. We could
hardly believe our ears.
"The explanation soon came, in che
spparition which Buchanan Reads as
yet embryonic but now well-known
poem has made familiar. Ae the sturdy,
fiery Sheridan. on his sturdy, fiery steed.
hecked with foam from his W hours
mad %Ralloping, wheeled from the pike
and dashed down tho line, our division
also broke forth into the most tumultoua
applause. Ardent General Custer first
stopped the wonderful inspires and
kissed him before his men. His next
halt was before our own brigade. Suct
o scene as his presence produced anC
such emotions as it awoke can not bt
realized onee in Il century. All outward
l ~ a ~ sfocfafIn yynpa# no nnfh1aI0HkfN az
are capable OF exhibiting; cheers seemed
to come from throats OF brass, and cap.
were thrown to the tops of the scatter
ing oaks; but beneath and yet superior
to these noisy demonstrations there Wal
in every heart a revnlsion Of feeling ant
a pressure of emotion beyond descrlp
tion. No more doubt or chance f.
doubt existed; we were safe, perfectly
and Internationally safe, and ever.
0 man knew it."
8 Later, in the sam account, is this
sour formation was entirely lost, but W
IS had the organization and enthusiasm {
recognized success; every man felt the
it would not do TO allow the enemy I
9 rally on this side of the stream. TIL
front was presently occupied by flag
o alone, as rnore heavily loaded troops be
came unable to keep up with the enel
getic color sergeants; the strong cavalr
force in our distant right were see
charging down the field: the rebels oh
liqued confusedly and In uu~controllabl
dismay toward the turnpike and th
10 bridge; @ final attempt was made to OF
ganize n last resistance on the bills the
crowned the creek, but after O feebl
70 volley the line milted away; q last bal
terry faced us with o round OF oaniste
but in vain; we saw the flag that follow
ed Sheridan, a white star on the re
above q red star on the white, flashing
,e the front and center of the army; lite
ally leading ii to victory; the regiment
standard bearers wed with each 9th
III on eager strife to be first in the worl
"a OF the morning, every brigade in Vi
- army afterward claiming the distinctio
orr own brigade certainly had not IL
least ground of any; and 80, at last, v
10 manned the intrenchments of the min
teenth corps, while the foe toiled up q
other bank OF Cedar Creek and hasti
70 formed a battle line outside our musk
range. Artillery came up on the gallo
and opened vigorously. Generals 9:
pc changed congratulations with each 9th
% end their troops. Sberidan's promi
ne was fulfilled again, for we had our cam
as the evening fell"