Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-14


IA this tremendous cavalry force,
nearly 1000 strong. came laundering
down the pike to the very skirts OF WIN
chester. Fits Lee fell wounded while GAL
lantly striving against them. and our
cavalry. with patton's Brigade OF imam
trv wore forced back. In douDle-auick
time the two brigades. under Breckin-
ridge and Kings Artillery was thrown
into line at right angles 10 our
main line, and the cavalry was
again and again rcpulsed; Kings
Artillery In the angle firing at the same
time 20 front and flank. until tne,r am
munition was exhausted, ana sun tnen
,,IckIny 10 their guns. But our men In
front heard the fire rolling to the rear.
and with IL came the pressure OF three
corps OF 10000 infantry upon their 'front.'
while they were but three meaBre dl-
visions The front line began TO wither
awav--Eyan's Brigade broke-and II be-
came evident our men could hoid out no
longer Early was everywhere. Ms the
enemy pressed to the very muzzies or
Carter's guns. and his officers stood
live statues. pistols In hand, for close
encounter, there was Early; and now,
as the crisis came on the left. ne sat
his horse amongst Kings guns cooliy
surveying the scene. Joshua mas the
sun BY the heel" exclaimed some OF the
mentor II was yet lingering over the
weary combatants, and there was no
Butcher TO come. Early now gave the
order 10 retreat: and, with Wharton on
the left and Ramseur on our right, main-
tanning organization and covering the
movement. he deliberately in good order
retired with all the honors OF war. losing
but three guns. which could not be
brought off, because the horses were
killed. The enemy reported five.
AFTERMATH AT FISHERS HILL.
On the 2Oth Early took position ut
Fishers Hill, and on the POI Sheridan
again attacked him. Crooks Corps getting
in rear Of his left flank and his whole
army retiring in conclusion. But the
artillery again distinguished itself by
great courage, fighting to the last, anu
Early had TO ride to some OF them and
order withdrawal of their guns before
they would move. Their pertinacity in
holding out led TO the loss Of eleven guns.
Otherwise the loss was not great, but
Leutenant-C Colonel A. S. Pendleton, the
distinguished and gallant adjutant-gene-
raj of the corps who had served so
long with Jackson. Ewell. and Early
fell mortally wounded, leaving vacuum
which Il was indeed difficult 10 supply.
Early slowly retired down the Valley TO
Rude's Hill. between Mount Jackson and
New Market, in line Of battle checking
the enemy as he advanced, the troops
behaving admirably. Sheridans cavalry
followed as far as Staunton. but Early
had simply stepped aside TO Port Repub-
JIG while they passed on, and then moved
to WayneSbOro' on the Goth OF Septem-
Der
In early October he is moving down
T.ff In nd
INK the enemy at Harrsonburg on the
9th, but he in turn retires. BY the 18th
he Is again at Fishers Hill and Hupp's
Hill. and hndJ Sheridan posted on the
north bank Of Cedar creek, and there
boldly defies him on the field Of his late
reverses. The enemy. sending division
across the creek is met by Corners Bril-
gade and repulsed. losing their division
-nmander. Colonel Wells. and the gal
o. mt and accomplished General Conner on
our side losing leg. on the 18th Gem
eral Early remains at Fishers Hill
and sends ROsser on a cavalry recon-
noissance. on the 18th he displays his
full force In front of the enemys lines
to cover Rosser's return, but he Is with
out provisions, and he must either retreat
or fight. We'll did he appreciate the In
splration OF being tho assailant. and he
determined to Assail.
BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.
As the sequel shows. Sheridan had con-
Guided that Early was pretty well used
up, and had gone 10 Washington. General
II. G. Wright, of the Sixth Corps who
commanded in his absence. was Informed
on the 18th that Early had retreated, and
the Federal army lay with feeling Of
security on the north bank of Cedar
creek; but Early was only crouching TO
Tna TO aff ha
sition of the enemy. he determined 10
take him by flank. and by surprise IL
possible. He had sent General Gordon,
with Captain Hotchklss, chief engineer
TO the signal station on Massanutton
mountain, to examine the enemys posi-
ton, and General Pegram to examine the
creek on the enemy's right. Hotchkiss
returned with a sketch designating the
roads on the enemys left and rear and
with information that 1t was practicable
10 move the infantry between the base
Of the mountain and the Shenandoah
river into which the creek there empties
TO ford below the mouth of the creek
Next morning General Gordon Confirmed
Captain Hotchkiss's report, expressing
confidence that an attack could be sue
cessfully made on the enemys left and
rear and Early resolved 10 move over
the ground designated by Hotchkiss's
the division commanders met at Early's
headquarters for final instructions and
Early directed that Gordon should pro-
coed Immediately after dark TO the foot
of the mountain, crossing the river, and
move for a house on the west side OF the
Valley pike called "Belle Grove" where
Sheridan had his headquarters, taking
with him the Second Corps-namely, Cor
don's. Ramseur's, and Pegram's divisions.
a
Wharton and all the artillery, was to
move along the Valley pike from Straus-
burg and attack the enemy's front and
left as soon as Gordon was engaged.
Rosser, with his own and Wickham's bril-
gades. was to cross Cedar creek on the
enemy's right flank and attack simulta-
neously with Gordon, while Lomax. with
his division, was to move to Front Royal
across the river, thence to the Valley
pike and strike the enemy wherever the
firing might indicate his presence. Colo
mel William II. Payne with his small bri-
| gade Of 800 to 400 men, was to go with
| Gordon and endeavor TO capture Sheridan
| who was supposed to be at belle Grove
THE SUN OF MIDDLETOWN."
At the appointed hour, everything was
| in INSTRUMENTATION going with Early, at
1 o'clock. towards Strausburg; Rosser
starting before day, TO attack at A. NJ.
| while Gordon has gone TO get in position
| at nightfall. General Pegram having dis
| covered from the signal station an en-
| trenchment across the road over which
| Gordon was to advance. Early thought
| Gordon might have greater difficulty than
had been anticipated, and adopted Pc
| grants suggestion TO move toward the
| enemy's left to attack simultaneously
| with Gordon and Rosser. The artillery
| concentrated at Fishers Hill, at g A. NJ.
was to move at a gallop 20 Hupp's Hill
being thus held back that the rumbling OF
wheels might not be heard on the
| macadamiZed road, and canteens anc
swords were left in camp. that no sound
| might startle the enemy.
AT $3.50 o'clock in the morning Early
with Kershaw's Division came In sight OF
the enemy fires and. as the moon wa:
shining, their sleeping camps were II
plain view. At 4:S9 o'clock the word for
ward was given. and Kershaw crossed
the creek at Bowman's Hill, and, al
exactly o'clock, swept over the enemy:
works. taking seven guns which were al
once turned upon them. Rosser was nov
heard opening up on the left, and al
Early, with Wharton's troops. came
hurrying to Hupp's Hill. according TO ap
l. -