The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-16

Rosser's Cavalry from Lees army and was
at WaynesbOrO, when. Oct. ], Sheridan
wrote to Grant: MY judgment is that 1t
would be best to terminate this campaign
by the destruction of corps, etc, in this
valley and the transfer Of the troops to the
armies operating against Richmond.
And it did seem as if nothing was to be
gained by going further from his base Of
supplies. as the Valley had been rendered
valueless to the enemy by the thorough de-
struction of everything serviceable.
Grant acquiesced in these views of
Sheridan and wrote him Oct. 3: You
may take such position in the Valley as
you think you can and ought to hold, and
send all the troops not required for this
Army of West Virginia and the new or
ganiZation be left to look after the Valley.
LAYING WASTE THE VALLEY.
To carry out this program Sheridan
| began Oct. g. to fall back, with the
intention Of sending off the Sixth and
Nineteenth Corps via Front Royal to Alex
andra and thence by water to Grant. In
moving back he destroyed every barn, mill,
all the crops and everything. only sparing
the dwellings, taking all the animals found
and feeding his troops on mutton and
lamb. In some cases the dwellings We're
burned when known to be the refuge of
|
complete and entirely laid waste the Val
ley.
Early with Rosser's Cavalry fresh from
Richmond pressed on after Sheridan and
gave him some annoyance, but on Oct. o,
at Toms Brook. TOrbert started in ''to
whip the rebel cavalry or get whipped him
self" with the result that both Rosser and
Lomax were completely routed and left be-
hind $50 prisoners. headquarters wagons,
ambulances, caissOns, FORCES and every
| thing on wheels.
Sheridan says it took days delay to
settle this new Savior of the Valley.
The day following the battle of Toms
Run Sheridan moved across Cedar Creek
and took position on the nights. The Sixth
Corps was on its way to Front Royal to 60
to Washington and to Petersburg, as Grant
had now directed Sheridan to send him
only the Sixth Corps and a division OF
cavalry and retain the Nineteenth Corps.
On Oct. IL Secretary Stanton had re-
Quested Sheridan 10 come to Washington
TO consult about the coming seasons cam
paign; but SheriGans plans were all to be
changed, and he was still to fight in the
Valley one Of the most brilliant. gallant
and remarkable battles of the whole war
Early learning that a part of the Union
troops were being sent off to Grant. imme
diately advanced to his Old position al
Fishers Hill and pushed his advance Sc
az ~ tUCoultcT tlle UNION tTbDIS anu &c
show he was in force. thereby bringing
about the return Of the Sixth Corps, which
had got as far as Ashby's Gap. But
Early made no further demonstrations, but
remained quietly at Fishers Hill.
On Oct. - Merritt's cavalry, going or
a reconnaissance, Sheridan went along
with the column on his way to Washing
ton TO consult with the War Department
At Front Royal Sheridan received from
Wright the following momentous and
memorable not to say historical, dispatch
which had been taken from the rebel sig
nal Station at Three Top Mountain, and
was at follows:
''To Gen. Early:
BE ready to move as soon as my forces
join You and we will crush Sheridan.
"LONGsTREET, Lieutenant General
Sheridan did not know whether to be
lieve this was a true message or {:
iruse 1--WE now know that it was iicttiousJ
but he stopped Torbert's reconnaissance
and ordered his Cavalry Division back t.
Cedar Creek. Sheridan went on to Wash
ingt0n, and in the meantime Early, now
reinforced by about 5000 men, was medi
tating how to retrieve some of his reverse.
and began planning an attack.
From the signal station on Three ToT
! Mountain his officers could look down witt
glasses upon the whole camp and intrench
menus VI the Union army. 1ney 1Onnt
that the Union left was thinly guarded
and they determined that by night marcel
across the Shenandoah and Cedar Creel
they could take Crook in reverse So al
through the night across the fords tn,
rebel chiefs led their hordes; Gordon, will
, Ramseur and Pegram and a brigade O.
cavalry, was to go along the creek path
and Early, commanding Kershaw's an,
, WhartOn's Divisions, and Rosser with hi
cavalry were to strike the Union forces a
, O'Clock a. m. The rebels had left behint
, their cups and canteens and everythin,
that would make a noise. So quietly die
they move that at $3.50 a. m. by the ligh
OF the moon: they could see the camp ant
, fires Of the Union troops.
A SURPRISE AND ROUT.
Our army, not expecting any attack
. slept on; but before 5 O'clck a. m. a thicl
lfOg came up, and under cover CT it tn,