The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-07

tdiI1Osl Inaccessible pima DTlule PUN DC
tween the base of the mountain and the
river to a ford about half ~ mile be-
low the mouth of Cedar Creek, there
crossing the river to turn, due north and
take the fortifications in reverse; ker-
sha ", with 1900 men. passing through
strnsburE and turning east on the NORTH
side Of The river and crossing the creek
Just. above its mouth, would take. tho
Qualifications in front, while Wharton
DIVISION and the artillery would go down
the pike, which, short distance below
Strasbufg. turns almost, due north, and
passes through the center of the Federal
position al Cedar Creek bridge. Rosser,
with the remainder of the Confederate
cavalry, was 10 attack at tho same time
on the Confederate left and surprise the
enemies cavalry, mt that pointsif ne
could Soon after dark, making UP our
flres at our picket posts opposite Strhs-
burg on the river so as to deceive the
enemy into believing we were still there,
and leaving cantcens and frying pans ha.
hind to avoid noise, we followed the In !
fantry into the woods, who had preceded
us In single file, as no two could march
abreast. We were also given u coin-
tersisn WHO goes there SO early" mi
the answer, ''ln the morning, SO that
we might he able to distinguish friend
from foe IN the darkness Il.
"A Night March.
shall never forget that nights march,
travelling NEARLY all night and not going
more than. five miles; up ono hill and
down another; over huge boulders, by tho
SIDE OF yawning precipices, down INTO
rocky ravines and up steep hill-
bed on. our left on our right the towering
mountains; leading our horses, as 1t was
impossible TO ride: hating long and tire
some pauses for the infantry, and again
q. double quick to catch up, Win an an
were under and exposed to the frownlns
batteries Of the enemy, II awakened,
Just across the river. The night was
bitterly cold. Finally we emerged from
plateau CLOSE to the river and near the
ford at which we we're to cross. The in.
fantry were there, as still as nutfled
ghost and not a sound but the ripple OF
the river. Creeping up quietly to the
ford; suddenly two rifle shots rang out
from the guns Of tho vdettes Of the en-
envy at the ford. Dashing across. these
two, were captured, and he reserve pick
ct which we could see at a little distance
BY the light Of their fires after q yolley
either scooted in the darkness or sur
rendered, The infantry who at the first
shot had started forward and plunged
into the water with the cavalry, kept up
with US. though ashivcrlrg from their icy
fbath.$4 AZ q
i4E following our guide. We turned due
north, so as TO tako the enemy in re-
verse; beyond whose left we had already
passed, and to come out into the valley
( pike In the rear Of their intrenchments
at Cedar Creek bridge. Ascending q
long hill from tho river, shots came out
f OF the darkness ahead Of us from a pick
ct post, we supposed, but we saw no
one. n It R afterwards = proved to be a
breastWork Just thrown up to cover that
'H L., ~. q =
Sof KershaWss guns attacking on the 9TH
erl side, and soon the hurried reveille call
from the Yankee bugles. who were awak-
Ing to the knowledge that the "Phills-
tines were upon them. AS we advanc-
1 cd, the popping OF muskets. showing that
changed TO ~ continuous roar. reYer-
beratng through tho dark recesscs of
the forest0upon the frosty morning air,
and recalled Z to mind the rolling sound
OF the breakfast gong that used to be
beaten by the white aproned porter OF the
Exchange Hotel in Richmond. Memory,
that wireless telegraplly of the soul.
}conjured upSin twinkltng visions Of q
Esavory breakfast and all good cheer at
that famous hosiery OF the past visions
less shared by many who had eaten
their last nealein this world: One IN par
tioular, Colyer. Watkins, the sole survivor
OF two brothers whose serious sad face
=
camp. 81 &
Incidents Of Battle.
Quickening our march, by the dim
light of early dawn,sI could see a soli-
tary horseInan3 coming at furious gall
glop from the left. riding up to the head
OF the column tof infantry, and, after a
hurried consultation with the commander,
1T was turned squarely TO the left
and. coming into line Of battle on
that side, advanced Immediately forward,
taking the enemy In reverse and relieving
skershaw,
Payne's Brigade continued on, and after
passing the mouse Of our guide and into
one OF the camps, was driven back by
volley from, the same. Ralnseur's men,
coming up mediately behind and narcn-
ing In column along the road from which
Gordon's men had been detected, quick
ly wheeled into line on the right, threw
forward skIrmishers and advanced upon
the enemy from this point, driving them
before them, Going over to Cedar Creek
bridge from this point with, some prison
quarter. Crooks corps, however, had been
driven in utter confusion from its camps
towards the pike and upon the 18th corps,
which In turn was quickly routed from
its camp in the breastworks just above
the bridge leaving the ground thickly
strewn with dead men, Wharton's men
and tho artillery who had come down the
pike, came up and shared In the glorious
victory. The Confederate plans had been
carried out so far without hitch; two
Of tho Federal corps had been
beaten. and in full retreat; some of
The officers even never stopping until
they reached Winchester, fifteen miles
distant, MS appears from their own re-
ports General Sheridan, who spent the
night preceding at Winchester, fifteen
miles from the abttIeaeld says in his re:
mile south OF Winchester. about nine
o'clock, he met$the head of the fugitives.
trains and men coming back in appalling
confusion
A Fatal Mistake.
Here occurred, In my opinion, the first
and fatal mistake. II the Cpnfederates
had simply kept on down the pike to Mid
dletown, after the fleeing enemy. ana
turaad their artillery upon the Sixth
Corps who were encnmped a short dis
tance to the left up the creek, my opinion
s that it, i would ha ft soon dss9ved n
they would have been In our rear,
ne answer Is that we would have been in
| theirs, and 1t was seldom that an ex-
| change could MT hava hean mode.5 III mr.