The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-02

THE TWIST on EARLY.
how Sheridan Turned = Defeat Into s:splen-
did Victory.
From Ohio in the War.
On tie night Of the 18th Of October. while
Sheridan vas approaching winehester. on his
return, Early and Longstrest we're stsalthily
moving out from Fishers HILL So careful and
minute were their arrangements for silence on
The march that they even took away the can
teens from their men, lest their rattle against
the bsyones sheaths or cartridge boxes should be
heard. Wright, ss we have seen, was apprshen-
sivs about his right flank. His disposition Of
the entire cavalry there showed il, and the enc
my at once profted by the disclosure. They
moved rapidly TO the opposite flank Here the
front was scarcely protected ~ all The sxult-
ant army that had followed the rebels ''whiriing
mp the valley was utterly ineredulous
~ to the possibility Of attack
They slept, officers and men, the deep
slumber Of absolute confidence: Pieksts we're
advanced but q snort distance from the camp,
% short . distance that the rebel column crept
around them within 500 yards Of the main line.
Some pickess did report the sound Of marching
In the darkness on their front, and General
Crook ordered men into the trenches; but this
report failed to arouse much apprehension, and
they neglected to send out q reconnaissance.
The front line was broken here and there BY
regiments sent out for picket ~duty-even thece
gaps were untitled.
fhs dawn was obscured by fog. Though this
suddenly came bursting the wild charging yeils
Of the rebel infantry-not Early's often beaten
troops, alone, but the flower OF the Army OF
Northern Virginia The extremity OF Crooks
line. taken thus by surprise IN flank and rear.
wae doubled up ia confusion precisely ~, . few
weeks before, Crook had himself doubled mp
Esrly's fank at Fishers Hill. The enemy was
into the trenches before all the muskets OF the
defenders were loaded; the movement was
quick, orderly. forceful on the part Of the a.
~sailants, hesitatipe and bewildered on the part
of the confused troops thus rudely awaked from
their dreams Of security. In fifteen minutes
the struggle was practically oyer. The rebels,
knowing perfectly their ground, and knowing,
moreover, precisely what they wanted TO do.
drove forward their charging columns with q
rapidity that, to the surprised army. seemed
amazing. The Nineteenth Corps next gave
way; next, only . little more slowly, the Sixth.
Long before this the tide of runaway bad
swept down the pike as far - Winchester,
twenty miles away. The camps were aban-
doned. twenty-four pieces OF artillery were lost,
and the whole army was in full retreat on Win
chester. Nearly five miles down the valley It
began to como together, and General Wright ss-
sayed the formation of o defensive line. He was
presently interrupted by his chief, who here
took the matter in hand"
General Sheridan had arrived at Winchester
the night before, on his way back from the con-
sultafion at WASHINGTON. TO which he had been
ordered In the morning artillery firing was
heard, but it was attributed TO an intended re-
eonnoissancs, and nothing was thought OF It.
After IN early breakfast Sheridan mounted and
trotted quietly through Winchester. southwark.
A mile from tbs town the first fueitives from
shs lost field were encountered. He instantly
gave orders to park the retresting trains on
either side Of the road, directed the greater part
of his escort TO follow as best it could. thee,
with only twenty cavalrymen accompanying
him. he struck out in . swinging Raliop for the
scene OF danger. As he dashed up the pike the
crowds of stragglers grew thicker. he re-
preached none; only, swinging his cap. with q
CHEEKY smile for all. he shouted: Face the
other way, boys; face the other wayi We are
going back to our camps! We are going to lick
them out of their bootsl" Less classic, doubt
less. than Napoleon's MY children, We will camp
On the battlefield 90 usual but the wounded
and the masses Of ~fuRitives turned and followed
him to the 'front.' AS he rode into tho forming
lines, the men auickened their pace back TO the
ranks, and everywhere glad cheers went MP.
Boys. this never should have happened IL l
had been here" he exclaimed to one and another
regiment II tell you it never should have hap
pened. And now We are going back to our
camps We are going to get a twist on them;
well gos the highest twist on them yet that
ever you saw. Well have all those camps and
08aa1a ta@ aeo ~ ~ eS
lines. recti6sd the formation, cheered and ami
mated the soldiers Presently there grew MP
across that pike rs compact a body OF infantry
and cavalry as that which, a month before. bad
sent the enemy 'whirling through Winchester. "
His men had full faith in 1.-The twist" he was
going to GET on the victorious foe; aud his
presence was inspiration, his commands were
victory.
While the line was thus re-established he WAS
IN momentsry expectation OF attack. Wrieht's
Sixth Corps was some distance in the rear. One
staff officer after another was sent after it
Finally Sheridan himself dashed down 70 hurry
10 up; then back 20 watch IL going into position.
Az he thus stood, looking of from the left. he
Jaw the enemy's columns once more moving up.
Hurried warning was sent to the Nineteenth
Corps, on which it was evident the attack would
fall. BY this time il was after 3 o'clock.
The Nineteenth Corps. no longer taken by sur
prise. repulsed the enemys onset Thank God
Tor that said Sheridan. gayly. NOW tell Gen.
Emory IL they attack him again to 60 after
them and 20 follow them up. Well get the
tightsst twist on them pretty soon they ever
saw" The men heard and believed him; the de-
moralization of the defeat was gone. But he
still waited. Word had been sent In from the
cavalry Of danger from q heavy body moving on
his flank. He DOUBTED it. and ct last determined
60 run the risk. At o'clock the orders went:
cut: THE whole line will advance. Tho Nine
tssnth Corps will move in connection with the
Sixth. The right Of the Ninetsenth will swing
toward the left"
The enemy lay behind stone fences. and whore
these failed breastworks of rails eked out his
line. For . little he held his position firmly.
His left overlapped Sheridan's right. and seeing
this advantage he beat it down to renew the at
tack In flank. At this critical moment Sheridan
ordered Q charge Of General McWilliams's bri-
eade against the angle thus caused in the rebel
line. IL forced its way through, and the rebel
thanking party was eut OF. Clusters cavalry was
sent swooping down upon IL, it broke, and fed
or surrendered, according to the agility of the
individuals. simultaneously the whole line
charged along the front; the rebel line vas
crowded back to the creek: the difficulties Of the
crossing embarrassed il, and IS the victorious
ranks swept up it broke in utter confusion.
Custss charged down in the fast gathering
arknsss to the west of the pike, Devins to the
east Of IL, and on either flank Of the fleeing rout
they flung themselves- Nearly all the rebel
transportation was captured, the camps and ar
tillery were reeained; mp to Fishers Hill the
road was jammed with artillery. caissous and
ambulances; prisoners came streaming back
faster than the provost marshal could provide
for them It was the end OF Early's army; the
end Of campaigning in the beautiful Valley Of
The Shenandoah
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
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