The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-06
SHERIDAN AT FISHERS HILL.
Don't Cheer Me, Damn You, Get Up
and Go at 'Em,' His Command.
New York Sun.


New York Sun.
After nearly two years service in Louis
lana the Nineteenth Corps came North in
the summer of 1864, arriving at Washington
just in time for the First Division, under
Emory, to assist in repelling the attack of
Early on the capital. General Sheridan had
been called from the West to take command
of the troops operating in the Shenandoah
valley, and in August the Nineteenth Corps
Joined his army In the corps was the
One-hundred-and thirty-first New York
Regiment, which had some interesting ex-
periences at Winchester and at Fishers
Hill
On the evening of the 18th of September
the One-hCndred-a -thirty-first was strip
ped for the fight, all baggage being ordered
TO the rear at Harper's Ferry and long be-
fore morning it moved out across the fields
toward Opequan creek. Early in the morn
ing of the 18th we got 1t into position, ming
through heavy belt of timber, and formed
a line of battle in the edge of the woods;
The Second Brigade (Moineaux's), Second
Division (Grover's), advanced to the charge
in splendid style, but pushing forward with
too much zeal, was met with terrible
fire of musketry from the 'StoneWaH Brig
ade' of Gordon's division, which was IN
our immediate front. Our men broke ana
fell back in considerable disorder 10 the
shelter OF the woods from which we mad ad-
Vanced. 1t was at this critical moment,
when by the repulse of so large portion or
the Nineteenth Corps, the right center OF
the line Of battle was weakened, ana per-
hans the fate of the day 1mperlleu, mat
Nicholas w. Day, colonel of the One-hun-
dred-and- thirty-first New YORK I'd view
York city regiment, seizing the colors,
rushed forward a hundred yards in front
of the whole line and ralhed the IeslnllsIlI
out nearly to the line from which they had
'" This example was followed finally by
other regiments Dan Macaulay, the young
Gen. Lew Wallace's old regiment, led his
men on horseback shouting, New YORK
and Indiana. forever, boys. The twenty
second Iowa, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ninth
New York and the Third Massachusetts
Cavalry (acting as infantry followed IN
rapid succession and the break In the line
of battle was quickly filled up. After ex-
pending all our ammunition, we were re-
lieved by other regiments and retired from
the field. While resting In the woods, our
rode along the little wood path in our front,
accompanied by Gen. William n. Emory,
the corps commander, VINO atter , warmly
duct raised his hat to the little band before
him, and said: -
Men. you have saved the day; wish
every man present to consider himself my
personal friend.
Twas no idle compliment from the grim
old veteran of two wars. Praise from DIE
Hubert Stanley is praise indeed.
Late in the afternoon we were attached
to a brigade formed of picked regiments
and marched by left oblique across the big
field to support a battery which was furi-
ously firing into the woods, where the line
of battle had now receded. After reaching
our destination we lay down watching the
long lines of Torberts cavalry on our right.
Very soon the notes of the cavalry charge
were heard, Clusters long saber flashed high
in the air. and we witnessed the famous
cavalry charge at Winchester.
The Fishers Hill fight was more like a
foot race than battle 1t was nearly night
fall when our men on the skirmish lines rose
up and shouted, Here comes Sheridan 1t
was indeed the little hero, mounted on his
big black horse "Renzi" Coming from the
right, where he had inauguratad a flank
movement and not waiting for staff
officers to carry his orders, thus wasdng
precious time, he dashed down in front of
the whole line. taking big rocks and bushes
and gullies in flying leaps. When he heard
the ringing cheer of the men for Sheridan
he suddenly pulled UP, tore off his hat, and
shouted:
Don't you cheer me. damn you. We've
got en- damn EN-. We've got their guns.
We've got their works, Get up and go for
EN-"
This was not very formal order from a
major general, but it had the merit of being
effective, for instantly race was begun TO
see who should get 70 the enemys works
first; but when we got there Mr.. Johnny
had departed The pursuit was kept up all
night through woods and fields through viii
lagos and over garden fences.
Better bargains in standard makes of panos