The diamond drill., 1889-01-05

Shcrfdnn's Great Ride.
The following spirited description OF
Sheridan's ride from Winchester is from
"Ohio In the War
On the night OF the 18th OF October,
while Sheridan was approaching Win
chester. on his return, Early and Long
street were stealthily moving ont from
Fishers Hill. So careful and minute
were their arrangements for silence on
the march that they even took away the
canteens from their men. least their
rattle against the bayonet-sheaths or
cartridge boxes should be heard. Wright,
as we have seen. was apprehensive
about his right flank. His disposition OF
the enemy at once proilted by the dis
closure. They moved rapidly 10 the
opposite flank. Here the front was
scarcely protected at all. The exultant
army that had followed the rebels
"Whirling up the valley" was utterly
incredulous as TO the possibility OF at
tack. They slept, officers and men, the
deep slumber OF absolute confidence.
Pickets were advanced but short dis
tance from the camp, so short distance
that the rebel column crept around
them within 600 yards OF the main line.
The dawn was obscured by fog.
Through this suddenly came bursting
the wild charging yells Of the rebel i'm
fantry-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, was doubled up in con-
fusion. 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 as
sailants- hesitating and bewildered on
the part of the confused troops thus
rudely awaked from their dreams OF se-
eurity. In fifteen minutes the struggle
was practically over. The rebels, know
ing perfectly their ground, and know
ing, moreover, precisely what they
wanted TO do, drove forward their
charging columns with rapidity that
70 the surprised army seemed amazing.
The Nineteenth corps next gave way;
next, only a little more slowly, the
Sixth Long before this the tide OF
runawavs had swept down the pike as
far rs Winchester, twenty miles away.
The camps were abandoned, twenty-four
pieces Of artillery were lost. and the
whole army was in full retreat on Win
chester. Nearly five miles down the
General Wright essayed the formation
Of defensive line. He was presently
interrupted by his chief, who "here
took the matter in hand. T"
General Sheridan had arrived at Win
chester the night before, on his way back
from the consultation at Washington. to
which he had been ordered In the
morning artillery firing was heard, but
IL was attributed to an intended re-
connoSance, and nothing was thought
OF il. After an early breakfast Sheri-
dan mounted and trotted quietly through
Winchester southwark. A mile from the
town the first fugitives from the lost
field were encountered. He instantly
gave orders to park the retreating
trains on either side OF the road, directed
the greater part OF his escort TO follow
as best IL could, then, with only twenty
cavalrymen accompanying . him, he
struck out in swinging gallop for the
scene OF danger. AS he dashed up the
pike the crowds Of stragglers grew
thicker. He reproached none: only
swinging his cap, with a CHEEKY smile
for all. he shouted: Face the other
way, boys: face the other wayl We are
going back 10 our campsl We are go
ing 20 lick them out OF their bootsr
Less classic, doubtless. than Napoleon's
my children, we will camp on the bat
tle-iield as usual" but the wounded
raised their hoarse voices 90 cheer as he
passed, and the masses OF fugitivcs
turned and followed him 10 the front.
As he rode into the forming lines, the
men quickened their pace back 20 the
ranks, and every where glad cheers
went up. Boys. this never should
A..ss Ia Il hno har l.s
exclaimed 20 one and another regiment.
II tell you IL never should have
happened. And now we are going
back 10 our camps. We are going
TO get twist on them: we'll get the
tightest twist on them yet that ever you
saw. Well have all those camps and
cannon back again" Thus he rode along
the lines. rectiiled the formation. cheer
ed and animated the soldiers. Presently
there grew up across that pike as COM
pact body Of infantry and cavalry as
that which month before. had sent the
enemy "whirling through Winchester.
His men had full faith IN "the twist he
was going 20 get" on the victorious
foe; his presence was inspiration, his
commands victory.
While the line was thus re-estnblsh-
ed he was In momentry expectation Of
attack. AS he thus stood, looking of
from the left, he saw the encmy's col
umns once more moving up. Hurried
warning was sent TO the Nineteenth
Corps. on which IL was evident tho at
tack would fall. BY this time IL was
after 3 o'clock.
The Nineteenth Corps, no longer taken
BY surprise, repulsed the enemy's onset.
Thank God for that" said Sheridan
gaily. "Now tell General Emory Ii they