The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1889-01-12
THE CAMPFIRE.


volume OF the Hon. A. r. Walker. OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
being the history OF the Vermont brigade
IN which he served during the campaign
IN the valley, contains many character
sketches Of Sheridan. which reveal him
20 the reader as he was in his very prac-
tical everyday field life. A paragraph
in the account of Fishers Hill shows
how Sheridan joined with and encour-
aged his troops; 1.-The Vermont brigade,
az the commencement of its advance,
met shallow mill.pond that had not
cen noticed ia the forest, in some way
iloundered through, rushed up the Hill
to the rebel works. then turned 90 the
left, and in a confused, delirious mass
hurried on as best IL might after the
scattering enemy. Guns were fired
wildly into the air. and reloaded as the
soldiers ran, captured cannons were
wheeled about aud discharged at the
panic-stricken foe in mad salute for our
victory General Sheridan, with long
black streamers waving from his hat,
joined our own division, exclaiming,
Run, boys, run; don't wait 20 form;
don't let em stop and when some one
answered, we can't run, were tired
out his reply was perhaps unmilitary,
ludicious, IF YOU can't run, then hol-
ler,' and thus the wild pursuit was con-
tinued until we reached the turnpike.
where il crosses the very summit OF
Fishers HILL
Writing Of the crisis OF the surprise
at Cedar Creek, and the arrival of Sher-
dan. Mr.. Walker says:
while thus waiting for the complete
reformation Of the army, sulkily and, it
is 60 be feared profanely growing over
the defeat in detail which we had expe-
rienccd, though not in the least disposed
10 admit that our division had been
whipped-in fact, n little proud OF what
we had already done and expecting
the rebel charge, which we grew more
and more confident we should repulse.
we heard cheers behind us on the pike
We We're astounded. There we stood,
driven four miles already, quietly wait
ing for what might be further and inn
mediate disaster, while far in the rear
we heard the stragglers and hospital
bummers, and tire gunless artillery men
actually cheeril = as though a victory
had been won. Ne could hardly believe
our ears.
1.-The explanation soon came, in the
appartion which Buchanan Reads as
vet embryonic. but now well-known po-
em has made familiar As the sturdy.
fiery Sheridan, on his sturdy. fiery steed,
fleclled with foam from his two hours
mad galloping, wheeled from the pike
and dashed down the line, our division
also broke forth into the most tumul-
tuous applause. Ardent General Custer
first stopped the wonderful inspirer and
kissed him before his men. His next
halt was before our own brigade. Such
scene as his presence produced and
such emotions as IL awoke can not he
realized once in century. All out
ward manifestations were as enthusiasts
tic rs men are capable OF exhibiting;
cheers seemed 90 come from Threats of
brass, and caps Were thrown 10 the tops
OF the scattering oaks; but beneath and
vet superior TO these noisy demonstra-
tions there was in every heart revul-
sion Of feeling and "a pressure of emo
tion beyond description. No more doubt
or chance for doubt existed: we were
safe. perfectly, and unconditionly safe,
and every man knew IL.
Later, in the same account, is this;
"Our formation was entirely lost, but
we had the organization and enthusiasm
Of recognized success: every man felt
that il would not do Go allow the enemy
TO ralley on this side Of the stream.
The front was presently occupied by
flags alone. as more heavily loaded
troops became unable 90 keep up with
the energetic color sargeants; the strong
cavalry force on cur distant right were
seen charging down the field; the rebels
obliqued confusedly and in uncontrolla-
BILE dismay toward the turnpike and the
brid e; a final attempt was made to or
ganize a last resistance on the hills that
crowned the creek. but after feeble
volley the line melted away; last bat
terry faced us with round OF canister,
but i'm vain: we saw the flag that fol-
lowed Sheridan, white star on the red
above the red star on the white ASKING
in the front and center of the army,
literally leading il 10 victory; the regi-
mental standard-bearers wed with each
other in an eager strife TO he first i'm the
works OF the morning, every brigade In
the army afterward claiming the dis
tinction, our own brigade certainly not
with the least ground Of any; and so, at
last, we manned the entertainments OF
the Nineteenth Corps, while the foe
toiled- up the other bank OF Cedar Creek
and hastily formed battle-line outside
our musket-range. Artillery came up
on the gallop and opened vigorously.
Generals exchanged congratulations
with each other and their troops. Sheri-
dams promise was fulfilled again, for
we had our camps as the evening fell. y