The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-10-15
VALLEY.
Continued from First page.J

mond, there 10 take part in the subsequent
battles near Petersburg.
Oar forces eneamped in their old position
and the next day engaged in buryng the
dead, the ground being covered with both
Union and rebel soldiers. The field was hotly
contested by our men. and although. sur
prised they were not whipped Gen. Sheri-
dan rode along the lines and was chsered by
the men. Gen. Ricketts, was temporarily
placed IN command Of the Sixth Corps, and
was severely wounded early in the day. He
was the best division commander In the
service, and when the men saw him wounded
all were axiOus about him. The papers
spoke OF him in the highest praise a. an ex-
ceilent and able General, saving, =" If his
wound should indeed prove n mortal one.
the country will have lost a very able officer" 3"
Gen. Sheridan had again immortalized
his name. As be came down the pike he
exclaimed 10 the men: Join your COM
mander, boys; III wax - out of them
before night" At the sight Of him our
men pressed forward with their usual i'm
Petuosity, and soon the
JOHNNIES WERE IN FULL RETREAT.
Gen. Custer succeeded in recapturing the
colors lost by the 18th ~ j.; their color
bearer being killed, they fell into she hands
OF the enemy. He eOmplimented the men
for their bravery, telling them not from
cOwardice, but through accident they were
lost, and that he was very much gratifed to
return them.
The weather was now very cold and the
troops talked Of Winter quarters. Nearly
SIX months had passed since the army cross
eel the RapIdan, and what had been accom-
pllshed? Lee was driven step by step from
his stronghold in the Wilderness, hanked
several times by Grant until he was within
the iortiticatiOns Of Richmond, his supplies
cut Oft, and closely besieged by Grant Sher-
man had driven Johnston and his successor.
Hood, whipping them in every battle, and
hnally capturing Atlanta, their stronghold,
IN the very heart of tie COnfederacy. Early
hal been whipped in four pitched battles by
sheridan, and driven far up the Valley 10
Staunton, his artillery nearly all captured
and his army completely routed, and every
thing that an army could subsist on in the
valley destroyed. Price, in Missouri, had
been driven in confusion and was ia full re-
treat, followed by ROsecrans. The Copper
heads North defeated in their every scheme,
tho soldiers now looked for the reelection
OF Lincoln and for a speedy termination Of
the war
1t was now currently reported that Long
street had succeeded Early, and with $4,000
men was again advancing up the Valley
The troops lay in camp at MiddletOwn 10
days, when it was discovered the enemy had
left the Valley.
The sixth Corps was reviewed by Gen.
Sheridan, and preparations were again made
TO leave, as orders from Grant were to send
the Sixth Corps to Petersburg. The day was
rainy and dlsagreeable. Gen. Sheridan took
q farewell leave OF the men, thanking them
for their bravery, saying he was sorry to see
them leave. To the Sixth Corps the praise
OF saving Washington was given. The men
gave three rOusing cheers for Sheridan and
the Shenandoah Valley. He then rode to
his headquarters and the troops dispersed to
their various camps. Their work in the
Valley was over, and they were again to Join
the Potomac Army to take part in the final
drama-the capture of Richmond
Since leaving Petersburg the troops had
IN 1--WE months fought five pitched battles,
being each time victorious, aud had marched
nearly 1000 miles, record that no other
corps IN the army could boast Of
THE end