The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-01-31

had doubtless retreated up the alley. III Snou4a
be borne IN mind that the destruction Of all
supplies by our forces between our position at
Cedar Creek and Staunton had made it neces-
Eary for the enemy TO supply bis force from the
latter place by wagons, and consequently we
had been expecting for some days that he would
either attack us or be compelled to fall back
for the supplies which it was believed he could
not transport in sufficient quantity by his
trains.
This view Of the matter, which is still be-
leved 60 have been sound, lent
THE STAMP OF PRoBABfNITY
90 the report Of the accommodating party; but
anxious to place the truth Of the report beyond
8 doubt, at once ordered two recOnnoissances
10 start at the first dawn Of the morning one Of
brigade Of infantry to move out upon and
follow the general direction Of the pike leading
up the Valley; the other, also OF a brigade, to
take the back road, some three miles 70 the
westward, and nearly parallel to the former,
with instructions 10 move forward Till the
enemy was found and strongly felt, so as 10
clearly ascertain his intentions. The first party
was 10 be drawn from the Nineteenth Corps;
the other from the cavalry.
At the first blush Of dawn the camps were
assaulted by considerable musketry fire upon
our extreme left and FIRE of much slighter
character upon our right A moments obser-
walton convinced me that the former was the
real attack, and ] at once proceeded TO that
point-the firing, meanwhile, growing heavier.
Becoming assured that was not mistaken as
TO which was the attack to be resisted IN force,
! sent back orders to Brevet Maj. Gen. Ricketts,,
commanding the Sixth Corps in my absence,
10 send me two divisions Of his command at
once; and taking the brigade of the Nine
feenth Corps before alluded TO- as ordered on
the reconnaissance, and which was just starting)
] proceeded 10 place it and the troops Of Gen.
Crook second line In position, on a ridge to the
7aFo Il he mix
connecting them with the left of the Ninteenth
Corps.
As the two divisions Of the Sixth Corps
ordered from the right of the line 10 the left
could reach that point within 20 minutes of
the time that the line referred to was formed,
and as the position taken up was a satisfactory
one, there was in my Judgment. no occasion
for apprehension as to the result and ] felt
every confidence that the enemy would be
promptly repulsed.
In this anticipation I was, however,
SADLY DISAPPOINTED.
Influenced by panic which often seizes the
best tro0ps-and some Of these l bad seen be-
have admirably under the hottest fre-the line
broke before the enemy fairly came in sight,
and under slight, scattering fire, retreated in
disorder down the pike.
Seeing that no part Of the original line could
be held, rs the enemy was already upon the
left tank Of the Nineteenth Corps / at once
sent orders TO the Sixth Corps to fall back to
some tenable position in rear; and TO Gen.
Emory, commanding the Nineteenth Corps,
that, as his left was turned. he should fall back
and take position on the right of the Sixth.
! should, perhaps have stated that upon the
original line the forces from left 10 right were
posted in the order Oi-frst, the Army of West
Virginia, Maj.-Gen. Crook commanding; second,
the Nineteenth Corps, Brevet Maj.-Gen. Emory
commanding; third, the Sixth Corps, COM
manded by myself, and in my absence by
BreTet Maj aj.-Gen. Ricketts,. The cavalry under
command Of Breyet Maj.-Gen. Torbert, was
disposed upon the two fanks.
The hrst lines Of the Army Of West Virginia
and the Nineteenth Corps were intreuched but
the Sixth Corps was not, as its naturally strong
position rendered any defenses unnecessary.
Indeed, the latter was held with view to its
acting rather as a movable force than as
part Of the line.
Returning from this depression and resuming
the narrative, the Sixth Corps, Of which two
divisions were on the march 10 the support of
the left, at once moved to the rear on receiv-
ing the instructions to that effect, rs did the
Nineteenth Corps, which had been slightly
engaged with portion Of the rebel force which
had evidently attacked by way of diversion.
About this time Gen. Ricketts, was seriously
wounded. and the command Of the Sixth Corps
CevOlEed upon
BREyET MAJ.-GEN. GETTY.
who moved steadily to the rear, and by we'll
timed attacks did much toward checking the
enemys advance giving time thereby for the
change OF front which was necessary, and for
taking up the new position. A portion Of the
First Division, under Gems. Wheaton and Mac
kenzie, and part Of the artillery Of the corps
also behaved admirably in checking the enemy
and giving time for the rest Of the troops to
take position. Several pieces Of the artillery
were lost here, il being impossible to bring of
the guns, owing 10 their horses being killed
Meanwhile the Second Division had taken up
the position indicated, with its left resting on
the pike. The Third and First were forming
On the right while on the right Of the Sixth
Corps the Nineteenth Corps was being formed.
One or two not very persistent attacks had
been repulsed.
About this time BIaj.-Gen. Sheridan came up
and assumed command. and I returned to the
command OF the Sixth Corps
Soon after the lines had been fully formed
the enemy made sharp attack on the Sixth
Corps, but was rudely Tepulsed. falling back
several hundred yards 70 q stone wall, behind
which part Of his line took shelter
The position Of the troops at this time from
Jeff to right was. first, the Second, Third, and
First Divisions Of the Sixth Corps; second, the
AlneieentA Corps; the cavalry being ON both
TANKS
Everything having been prepared, and the
men somewhat rested from the fatigue of the
morning, an advance was ordered by Gen.
eherlGGn OF the entire line. The Second and
First Divisions moved forward steadily, but
the Third was for time, seriously checked
by the FIRE from behind tie stone wall before
alluded TO. A movement made by the Nine
teenth Corps toward Ranking this wall lin
which a regiment OF the Third Division. sixth
Corps, detached for the purpose took partl,
shook the enemy, and gallant charge Of the
line started him into full Gight, pursued by
our victorious forces.
But little further resistance was experienced
in the advance 10 Cedar Creek, where our in
fantry was halted in its old camp, while the
pursuit was continued by the cavalry The
enemy being entirely demoraIized and his
ranks completely broken, lie rctreated without
regard to order.
The battle-Which IN its earlier stages looked
anything but favorable for our success and
Occasi0ned a fear OF defeat 10 manv d brave.
hearted soldier-resulted, through the admir-.
able courage Of our troops, the bravery and
good conduct Of their officers and the persist
e1ce OF the commander Of the army, in a com.
piete victory.
Itmay be proper that should say something
IS THE WAY OF EXPLANATION
Of the causes Of the comparatively easy success
OF the enemy in the early part Of the action
To the professional soldier it viii be a subject
Of interest, even if it Is lost 10 Others now tha
the war is over and this battle is partially for
gotten with the many others as hard Tough