The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-06-09

Sir: The recent uncalled-for and IL
belous attack upon the memory and
reputation. OF General Sheridan, origi-
mated by Major-General ]. Warren Kie-
fer, with Quartermaster Manning, non
combatant, and General McMahon, alb
sentee, Ginning in corroboratively, is
sufficient to jar the nervous sensibilities
OF every soldier who took part in the
memorable battle of Cedar Creek, ex-
cepting possibly those who were STAN
peded in the early morning, and would
have been running yet if our glorious
Little Phil" had not, on his way to the
front, inspired them to return to their
duty. I was glad to read in this morn
ing's Sun Sergeant Van Bach's letter.
Having. been an orderly at Sheridan's
headquarters he knows exactly what
the general did.
l can tell something of what occurred
on the right Of our line, as I was in the
ranks of the cavalry and on the ex--
IRENE right. We were called from our
blankets to ''boots and saddles" in the
gray of the foggy morning, the sound of
the engagement away over on the left
breaking continuously in our ears, as
we hastily, but in good order, packed
up, mounted, formed in line and
marched.
On reaching the line of battle, which
was now not far from our camp, as the
retrograde movement beginning on the
left had extended to the entire line, my
regiment, the First Connecticut Caval-
ry, was ordered to support a battery of
artillery, the section OF which was post
ed on the extreme right having my COM
pany as support. Our part of the line
continued to retreat with no semblance
of panic, but in perfect formation, in
good order: The different sections of
the battery alternated in taking posi-
ton to the rear of the one maintaining
its regular fire on the enemy until the
guns just placed behind it began to
speak.
On two or three occasions a move
ment to flank US was sunmarily checked
by the accuracy of the fire of these guns.
We realized that we were being driven,
but were doing our level best to check
the rebels and determined not to rum
We had word of the early attack and
surprise of the left and knew in a gen
eral way that the eighth and nineteenth
corps had been practically stampeded,
while the sixth corps was in the center
and retiring doggedly.
The action continued with no material
change in conditions until about ten
o'clock a. M, though, as I recollect,
our battery held to its position and fir
ing for longer time after each success
sive charge, but we were still evidently
i'll retreat when Our attention was at
tracted by some commotion on our left
and far to. the rear and approaching
toward the front At first we were in
doubt as to the source of the cheering,
which continually increased in volume,
but we could feel sure it was not the
rebel yell. We were soon enlightened
by the arrival of an officer who was
serving on the headquarters staff, and
he, with swing OF his hat, announced
the arrival of Sheridan on the field.
We learned subsequently that some
thousands of our men who had been
driven in a rout returned with him to
the field So far as I have ever heard,
there was never question raised
among the rank and file who stood their
ground on that eventful day that the
turning Of the tide of battle was due to
any other cause than the timely arrival
of Sheridan and his inspiring influence
on the troops.
The effort made. by these long-range
scribblers to deprive Sheridan's memory
of the credit for the glorious ending and
results of Cedar Creek will only bring
the writer's into deserved contempt Of
all survivors of that action and all i'm
partial readers of the histories OF the
Valley campaign. az.
w. B. GONSALVFS,
Quartermaster-Sergeant, Company G,
First Connecticut Cavalry.
New York, May IS.