Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-02
SHERIDAN,s RIDE.
How the Routed Army M Cedar Creek
Was Rallied so victory.


The one incident OF Gen. sheridans military ca
reer that is best known his ride from Winchester
made the subject OF I. r. Buchanan's famous poem.
Sheridans Amy, at Cedar creek, 20 miles from
winchester, had been surprised and routed by the
enemy under Early. Sheridan, who was returning
from Washington TO his command, was at VIM
chester when the tidings OF battle reached him,
ana taking his horse he galloped over the shenan-
doah pike, rallied his shattered army. inspired
them with new courage, and, attacking the enemy
with spirit, won great victory. Hon. Aldace r.
Walker, OF the Interstate commerce Commission,
who served with the Vermont brigade in sheri-
dams army In the Shenandoah Valley writing OF
the crisis OF the surprise at Cedar Greek and the
arrival oI sheridan, says: "Nhiie thus waiting
Tor the complete reformation OF the array. sulkiy
aud, IL Is ~ oe feaIod, prOfanely growing the
defeat In detail which We had experienced. though
not In the least disposed u admit that diNisOn
had been whipped-in fact. a litile proud OF wha;
We had already done-and expecting the rebel
charge, which we grew more and more confident
We snou d Iepuise, We heard cheers behind Us on
the pike. We were astOuuded. There We sloOd,
driven -FOUR miles already. quietly waiting IOT
what might be iurtler ana immediate disaster,
while far in the rear We heard the stragglers aud
hospital oumEerS, and the guness artilerymen
actually cheering as though a victory had been
won. We could hardly believe our ears.
"The explanation soon came, In the apparition
which Buchanan Reads a. yet embryonic out now
weli-known poem, has made familiar. As Ihe
sturdy, derry sheridan, ON his sturdy, fiery steed,
ing, wheeled from the pike and dashed dow n TIE
line, our division also broke forth into the most
tumultuous applause. Ardent Gen. Custer nrst
stopped the wonderful inspirer AID kissed HIM be-
fore MS men. HIS next halt was before our own
brigade. such a scene his presence produced
and such emotions as IL awoSe cannot be realized
once In o century. All outward manifestations
were as enthusiastic as men are capable OF exhibit
ing; cheers seemed 10 come from lhroaJs OF brass,
and caps We're thrown 10 the tops OF TIE scatter
ing oaks; but beneath And yet superior 10 these
noisy demonstrations there was IN every heart a
Revision OF feeling and pressure OF emotion
beyond description. No more doubt or chance Tor
doubt existed; We were safe, perfectly and uncou-
ditlonaliy sale, and every man Knew H.
"When our greeting had somewhat subsided Col.
Tracy, the nrsI man In the corps 10 address him,
rode up, hat IN hand SAL liz, General, were gad
TO see YOU well, by C., I'm glad 10 lie here
sixth Corps, Vermont Brigauer was shouted Irun
the ranks. HIS answer Was as prompt: All right!
We're ali right! Mell have our camps by Night.
and he galoped on. SO soon had he determined
TO defeat the enemy. At last however
the excellence OF Sheridan's plan was proved; a
movement became apparent On the right; War
ners left was again seen advancing, aud with
cheer We made mai charge against the walls be-
fore us. The enemy laced our advance but Tor "A
moment and then He'd IN confusion; We pursued
faster ana faster, only stopping 10 hastily NIL our
cartrldge-ooxes with captured ammunition; the
retreat became a stampede, The pursuit became
reckless chase, and with tumultuous cheers and
throObing hearts we CROWDED The motley mob be-
fore Us, On and on over the miles OF hill and PLAIN
To the banks Of Cedal Creek. Our formation was
Out nau lnt GENERALIZATION ana ell
thusiasm OF recognized success; every man felt
that IL would not do 10 allow the enemy 10 rally
on this side OF the stream The front was pres
entity occupied by Tags aione, as more heavily
loaded troops became unable 10 Keep up with
the energetic color sergeants; The strong cavalry
force on our distant right were seen charging
down the held; the rebels obllqued cOnius-
eddy and in uncontroLaDle disuiay toward
the turnpike and the bridge; a final attempt Was
made 10 organize last resistance On the hills
that crowned the creek, but after a feeble volley
the line melted away; last battery laced US
with a round OF canister, but In vain; We saw the
nag that followed Sheridan, white star on tie
red above a red star on the white, flashing In the
front and center OF the army, literally ieddng IL
TO victory; the regmenLai slandari-Dearers We'd
with each other ia an eager STRIFE &c be nrsL In the
works OF the morning, every brigade Ia the army
afterward Claiming the distinction, our own
brigade certainly with not the least ground OF any;
anu so, at last, We manned The inUrencnlncnts VI
the Nineteenth Cor =, wIlle the 1oe toled up the
other bank OF Cedar Greek and hastily formed a
baJlie-line outside our musket-rauge. Artillery
came upon the gallop and opened vigorously. Gen.
erals exchanged congratulations Win each other
and Their troops. sneridans promise Was Iunlied
again, ior We nad our camps as Tie evening ieii.
'The defeat was utter and decisive, 50 Tar as the
Shenandoah Valley was concerned It's secret was
simply Sheridan's personal mag nest.sn and all.
conQuering energy He felt no doubt, he would
submit To no defeat, ana he took has army Win
him, as on Whlrlwlno'
HE "TooK THE AFFAIR IN HAND"
1.-THE simple and direct account OF this action
given by Gen. Sheridan in his dispatches sent that
evening, october 10, 1864, to Lieut. Gen. Grant,
was as follows: al have the honor TO report that
my army at Cedar Creek was attacked this morn
ing before daylight, and my lett was turned and
driven In confusion. In fact, most OF the line was
driven In confusion with the lossof twenty pieces
or artillery. FASTENED from Winchester, where
was on my return from Washington, and found
the armies between Middletown and Newtown,
having been driven back about four miles. 1 here
took The affair In hand and quickly united the
corps, formed a compact Line OF battle just IN time
70 tack ME IA
Handsomely done at about p. m; at y. m,
after some changes OF the cavalry from the left 10
the right, attacked with great vigor, capturing,
according 10 the last report, forty pieces OF
artillery, with very many prisoners i do not
know yet the number OF my casualties or the
losses OF the enemy"