The National tribune., 1906-05-17

when my flank neared the overlapping
enemy he turned on it, with the effect
of causing q momentary confusion. but
Gen. Mcmillan quickly realizing the
danger, broke the ConfederateS at the
re-entering angle by a counter-charge
with his brigade, doing his work SD well
that the enemy's thanking troops were
cut off from their main body and left
to shift for themselves. Custer. who
was just then moving i'm from the west
side of Middle Marsh Brook, followed
McMillan'S timely blow with a charge
OF cavalry, but before starting out on
it, and while his men were forming,
riding at full speed himself. to throw
his arms around my neck. BY the time
he had disengaged himself from the
embrace the troops broken by McMtl-
Ian had gained some little distance TO
their rear, but Clusters troopers. sweep
ing across the Middietown meadows and
down toward Cedar Creek. took many
of them prisoners before they could
reach the stream, so / forgave his de-
lay.
MY whole line. as far as the eye
could see, was now driving everything
before it, from behind trees, stone walls.
and all such sheltering obstacles, so 1
rode toward the left to ascertain how
matters were getting on there. As L
passed along behind the advancing
troops first Gen. Grover and then Col.
were severely wounded, and told them
to leave the field, but they implored
permission to remain till success was
certain. When / reached the Valley
Pike Crook had reorganized his men,
and as desired that they should take
part in the fight, for they were the
very same troops that had turned Ear
ly's flank at the Opequon and at FISH
er's Hill. i ordered them to be pushed
forward, and the alacrity and CELEBRITY
with which they moved on Middletown
demonstrated that their ill-fortune OF
the morning had not sprung from lack
of valor.
Death Of Gen. Lowell.
Meanwhile Lowelrs Brigade Of Cav
airy, which, it will be remembered. had
been holding on. dismounted, just north
of Mfddletown, ever since the time
arrived from Winchester, fell to the
rear for the purpose of getting their
led horses. A momentary panic was
created in the nearest brigade Of infan-
try by this withdrawal of Lowell, but
as soon as his men were mounted they
charged the enemy clear up to the stone
walls in the edge OF Middletown. At
sight of this the infantry brigade re-
newed it's attack, and the enemy's right
gave away. The accomplished Lowell
received his death-wound in this cour-
ageous charge.
"An our troops were now moving on
the retreating Confederates. and as
rode to the front Col. Gibbs. who sue
ceeded Lowell, made ready for another
mounted charge. but / checked him
from pressing the enemy's right. in the
hope that the swinging attack from
my right would throw most Of the Con-
federates to the east of the Valley pike,
and hence off their line of retreat
through Strasburg to Fishers Hill. The
eagerness of the men soon frustrated
xt,s- s1sx hax ka az in
sisting on keeping pace with the center
and right. and all pushing ahead till
we regained our old camps at Cedar
Creek. Beyond Cedar Creek, at Stras-
burg, the pike makes a sharp turn to
the west toward Fishers Hill, and here
Merritt uniting with Custer, they to-
gether fell on the flank of the retreat
ing columns, taking many prisoners.
wagons and guns. among the prisoners
being Maj-Gen. Ramseur who, mortal
~ wounded, died the next day
Joy Over the Victory.
when the news of the victory was
received. Gen. Grant directed salute
Of 100 shotted guns to be fired into
Petersburg, and the President at once
thanked the army in an autograph let
ter. few weeks after. he promoted
me. and j received notice Of this in
special letter from the Secretary OF
War saying, that for the personal
gallantry, military skill, and just con-
fidence in the courage and patriotism
of your troops displayed by you on
the 18th day of October at Cedar Run.
whereby. under the blessing of proIf-
dence, your routed army was reorgan-
tied, a great National disaster averted,
and brilliant victory achieved over
the rebels for the third time in pitched
battle within SO days. philip ~. Sheri-
dan is appointed a Major General in
the United States Army.