The National tribune., 1906-05-17
SHERIDAN'S RIDE
From Marnsbmg to Cedar Greek, Va Oc IS and 49, 1864
Snatchng Victory From Defeat at Cedar Greek.
Commanding Escort Council Bluffs


On the evening Of Oct Is, 1864, I
was ordered to proceed from Winches-
ter, Va, to Martinsburg. distance of
% miles, with 200 men Of my regiment,
burg after midnight, reporting to Gen.
Seward, son Of Secretary Seward, going
into bivOuac near the town.
Early on the morning Of the 18th, on
reporting to Gen. Seward, / was ordered
to report to Gen. Sheridan for escort
duty, the General having arrived from
Washington, D. c., during the night,
and desired to go to the front at once.
The party consisted OF Gen. Sheridan.
Coils. Thorn and Alexander, Of the En-
gineer Corps; Lieut.-Col. James w. Fo:-
syth, Chief f-of-Staff; Maj. George A.
Forsyth and Capt. Joseph O'Keefe,
Aids The General rode his black horse,
by 800 remounts. commanded by Lieu
tenant.
Leaving Martinsburg.
The column left Martinsburg about 8
a. m. Strong advance and rear guards
and flankers were thrown out. At
Bunker Hill, IL miles from Martins
burg, the horses of the command were
watered from brook crossing the pike.
Arriving at Winchester at p. m., q
sharp lookout was kept for rowing bands
of Mosby's guerrillas who claimed this
section of country as their field Of Op-
erations. The General and staff re-
mained for the night at post headquar-
tiers. Winchester, Col. Edwards, 37th
Mass, being in command of the post.
The escort was ordered into bivouac at
Mill Creek, or Middletown, mile south
Of Winchester, with orders to be in
readiness to march at a. m. the next
morning.
At 4:3O on the morning Of the 18th
boots and saddles" was sounded for
the escort. About this time firing was
heard in the direction of the front,
sance that had been ordered for this
morning, though we could plainly hear
that the firing was coming our way. and
IL 1t was due to a reconnaissance our
troops were certainly getting the worst
OF it.
Sheridan Joins the Escort.
About a. m. Gen. Sheridan came
riding leisurely along inquiring of US
about the firing. We replied that we
first heard 1t between and 5 o'clock,
and that 1t seemed to be coming this
way. The escort moved out with strong
advance and rear guard and flankers.
About a mile south of Middletown the
head Of train from the front was en-
countered, whipping to the rcar; also
@ number OF men from the front, Civ
ing different Interpretation to the fir
coming from and going to the front
were ordered into park at Middle
town. Ny command was ordered to
form to right Of road. Here an officer
from the front was met, Col. Wood,
Sheridans Chief Commissary. giving
the startling information that the Con-
federates had attacked early in the
morning, driving our troops at every
point, our left being first attacked and
driven in considerable confusion, every
thing captured, Gen. Sheridan's head
quarters gone, and troops dispensing in
all directions. 1t was plainly to be seen
that the lion in the General was fully
aroused. His every movement gave evil
dence Of quick determined action.
/ was ordered to take 20 of my best
men and horses and follow the General,
as "he intends to move to the front
lively" / ordered three sets of fours
from the right to ride out, Lieut.. John
Paul accompanying me. Maj. George
A. Forsyth and Capt. Joseph O'Keefe
accompanied the General. The remain
der OF the escort was ordered to report
to Col. James w. Forsyth, who, with
Coils. Thorn and Alexander, were left
behind to form a Gordon across the
country to stop the fugitives.
The General struck out at a brisk
pace toward the scene OF action. A:
times the pike was SO crowded with
troops and wagons that the General and