The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-06
THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.

The following paper by Gen. Z. Nc
Hlashan was read by him before the Con-
federate Veterans Association on Tuesday
evening, Nov. IT,
In taking as my theme for to~night's
entertainment, THE Battle of Cedar Creek"
or as the northern press and historians call
it, Shenandoah and which has been
largely used by them to cast a wonderful
nalo Of romance and glory around the head
Of Gen. Sheridan, and TO illustrate the sur
passing bravery of their troops, | have no
desire to belittle their achievements or
pluck single laurel from their chaplet,
ut simply to present so you Tonight the
actual facts of that remarkable won and
lost fight, as seen by an officer of the in-
tan,ry line, who had the honor of leading
the torlorn hope in that memorable attack
The valor, the gallantry of the troops, north
and south, during that historic four years
Etrlggle is now the common heritage OF the
whole American nation, TO be held in ever"
lasting honor aud remembrance. What we
Seek now to know Is only the exact truth
that future history may be justified by the
actual facts.
On Oct. Is, 1864, Gems Early and Cor
don lay encamped at Fishers Gap in Vlr-
glna valley, covering the approach to
HarriSonburg, some twenty miles in our
rear, and threatening 81 advance OF VIM
chester, twenty-five miles in our front.
Their force consisted OF about 1000 in.
fantry including Gen. Kershaw's division,
OF which my regiment formed part,
sent to reinforce Early from the lines
around Petersburg, and 200 or LOO cav
airy ard about twenty-four field gums,
not Including those in intrenchment. In
front of our lines, in the open valley be-
yond the Shenandoah, lay the extended
lines OF Gen. Sheridan, consisting of over
$4,000 Infantry and a splendid body OF
5,OgO cavalry. This magnificent force would
seem sufficient in strength to have attacked
ana overwhelmed the greatly inferior force
In their front. But Early was strongly
mtrenched in the gap. about three miles
across The position could not be hankeo
and direct attack in front on chose south
ern ritiemen would have entailed terrible
Ioss and almost certain disaster: so Sheridan
c4ntented himself with guarding the upper
valley and Winchester, and. secure in the
Strength OF his lines, had his headquarters
Lr the time at the latter pace, twenty
niles in rear. Early's force wes not In good
condition. The fierce and bloody strug-
ele Of that terrible summer campaign
Oh 1854 had depleted regiments and brig
aces until they we're mere wrecks of their
iorner strength. Many regiments, orig
iaally 1000 to 1900 strong, were reduced
u, in many cases. less than 100 muskets.
Two louisiana brigades, | noticed, OF nine
regiments mustered only 30 men In all,
and it was pathetic sight TO see that little
pand OF undaunted and grim, yet sorrowtul,
survivors grouped around those nine battle
nags Truly for want of recruits, so gen.
eFously supplied to the northern armies, we
We're nearing tire end OF that fateful strug-
&c, Our own brigade and Gen. WoHord's
aid noA belong to Early's force proper. We
-. part of Kersnaw's division. and
''ere sent to the valley 70 reinforce Early.
After going through the summer CAM
palgn from the Wilderness to Petersburg,
our own brigade consisted OF the Tenth,
FHhetb, Fifty first and Flfty-third Georgia