The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-28
STORY Of BATTLE
Of CEDAR CREEK
oft-To1d History Related By One
Who Was There and Took
Part.
SHERIDAN WAS SURPRISED
"a Defeat and Route That Was
Almost Unexplainable to
Both Sides.
SHERIDAN WAS SURPRISED
l(By Gen. Gabriel c. Wharton,
With Introductory BY Maj.
John w. Daniel.)

An interesting article on the great bat
tie Of Cedar Creek (sometimes called
Belle Grove. and sometimes Middieton's)
Is furnished by General Wharton. who
there commanded a division of three brf-
gades. The brigades were small. having
lost heavily at Winchester the night
before. and in many battles of that year.
including Lloyds Farm. New Market
Cold darbor and numerous minor nc
tons They Were commanded at Cedar
Creek by Colonel Thomas Smith, Colonel
Mcdonald. of New Castle. Craig county
and Major Peter J. Otey, the late dis
tinguished representative from LYNCH
burg.
Tho following facts about this battle
may now be regarded as settled, al
though for time false rumors were
circulated.
/. Northumberland Jubal A. Early
planned the battle. 1t was the most
successful Illustration during the war
Except the movement which brought
Jackson to Richmond before the Seven
Days battles) of the operation OF con-
Verging columns on focal point. He
sent with a view to attack" his topo-
graphical engineer officer. Major Jed.
HotchIiss. and the senior division COM
mander of the Second Corps. Major Gem
eral John B. Gordon, to the top of Three
Top Mountain. which overhangs the
Shenandoah River, and presents a clear
view Of the field, on october 18th to take
observations. Hotchkiss brought back to
him that night a sketch map of the enc
my's position. Gordon came to see him
next day, the 18th, and substantiated the
report Of Hotchkiss that the enemy could
be assailed on their left flank.
Ear<y summoned his chief officers that
day. gave each his specific Instructions
had bridge built across the Shenandoah
at its frs. crossing. put Gordon In COM
maad OF the Second Corps, which was
to turn the left and arranged three other
columns to make simultaneous assaults
The separte columns We're commanded by
Maior-General Gordon, who crossed the
Shenandoah at Bowman's Ford of the
Shenandoah; Major General Kershaw
commas ,ied 1.-the Second. which crossed
at BowInan's Mil Ford of Cedar Creek.
JUST above its junction with the Shen-
andoah. Acknowledgement Wharton COM
nanded the Third column which crossed
Cedar Creek with his division, and Col
onel T. II. Carter's artillery OH the bridge
and al the Ford OF the Valley Pike:
and the Fourth column. under Brigadier-
General Thomas l.. Rosser, crossed Cedar
Creek after first being repulsed at
Kupp's Oiiil on the Confederate left. Col.
w. IL Payne, afterwards General Payne.
went ahead OF Gordon with his little
cavalry brigade, Major NOW Judge)
Daniel a. Grimsley. of Culpeper. head
ing his leading squadron.
Early, in person. first put Kershaw's
division, his right center. in action. and
then rode rapidly to his left center.
crossed Cedar Creek, and went with 1t
In action near Belle Grove,
2. Early never halted the army. 1t was
first halted by the Sixth Corps. OPP
Grated first on the southwest side.
and then on the northwest side of Meadow
Brook Cor Marsh RUM When Early
arrived Ramseur's and Pegram's divisions
of the Second Corps We're In action, and
hard pressed, and GordeS's division, under
Brlgadier- General Evans. hot pressed
from the right TO the extreme left of the
army At Ramseur's and Pegram's re-
quest Early instantly sent in Whartons
division to assist them, though a heavy
fog, which, with the smoke of battle,
ohscured the hard-contested field. Whar-
Z toms assault was most CALAMITY and
promptly made, and WAS repulsed by
Getty's division and the Federal artillery
3..Change Of front of both armies nov
occurred the enemy retiring north tc
Mlddletown and posting themselves or
elevated ground. At 10 o'clock Major,
General III. G. Wright. commanding the
Federal army. had the field on hand. ant
was ready for counter assault Sheridan
arrived . little later and waited until
p, N.
4. Early endeayored to advance agar
at l o'clock, and Gordons division. by
his direction. made q tentative assault
which was tepulsed. Sheridan could Sc,
zee the open field, and was fully prepared
and ready The second time the arm!
was halted by heavy and steady forces
OF the enemy: not by Early, but agains
his wish, viii and endcavor.
g.. Early fun arruligsd to get of hi!
army and It's captures, Including SOM
1,500 prisoners. and did get them Oft II
full season when ne found he could no
advance Tic did get his prisoners en-
tirely off. ana landed them In safety a
Southern points
The breaking OF bridge and the STAN
peds of the troops. lost the captured or
> tillery and the wagons.
G. This much | have ,hoasht well Il
4 say now In presenting the valuable AM
q entertaining paper Of General Wharton
for which we are much Indebted
The cause Of Earlys disaster Ii yer
plain one-i. e.. the far greater numbe
spf his enemies, and their stubbornhght