The National tribune., 1907-07-11


EccOrmfnE His Lines.
After establishing his headquarters lie
began reforming his lines. The Nine
teenth Corps and the two divisions oi
the Sixth Corps. which were about two
miles in the rear were ordered to the
front as soon as possible. Clusters Cav
airy was transferred from the left to
the right. Merilrs Cavalry remaining on
the left. The infantry was re-estabiish
ed OIL Getty's line. Staff officers were
sent to hurry up the two divisions OF
the Sixth Corps and the Nineteenth
Corps. Finally the General went back
himself to urge them on, as he feared
an attack before his troops would be
in readiness or his line formed.
About this time Gen. Wright. who
had been in command during Sheridan $
absence. came up. giving an account of
the battle in the morning. He had
been struck in the chin. which was
bleeding considerably; his cape, which
was torn, was bespatterd with blood.
Wright now took command of his corps.
the Sixth. and Getty returned to his
division. BY this time a formidable
body of men stood ready to dispute the
advance of the victory-flushed foe. For
over two hours there was luH in the
battle. Stragglers were RAPIDLY return
ing to their commands. Troops were
cumstances would permit. They felt
that they were acting under master
hand. Sheridan went east of the pike
to observe the movements of the enemy,
where he saw them preparing for the
attack He (Sheridan) rode along the
entire front of the infantry line of bat
tie, hat in hand. and from the cheering
the enemy must have thought that our
army had been heavily reinforced.
The battle Renewed.
Soon after the enemy could be seen
moving to the attack from point on
Sheridans left. Corps commanders were
at once notified of the movement. The
assault was principally on that part of
the line occupied by the Nineteenth
Corps 1t being not now taken by SUI
prise, it galiantly repulsed the enemy
THANK God for that said Sheri-
dan. Tell Cen Emory if they attack
him again to go after them and follow
them. Wen get a good twist on them;
the tightest one they ever saw"
Sheridan delayed the general attack
for time until the greater part of the
men who had gone to the rear in the
morning had returned. About this time
a report came in that Longstreet was
coming to the support of Early, march
ing on the left of Sheridan, on the Frone
Royal pike, getting to the rear of our
army
This caused some uneasiness, and
gave color to the dispatch, BE ready to
move as soon as my force reaches you,
and we will crush Sheridan"
About p. m. the order went out
THE whole line will advance. The Nine
teenth Corps will move in connection
with the Sixth; the right of the Nine
teenth will swing toward the left
The attack was gaIlantly made. The
enemy sought protection behind stone
fences and rail breastworks, making a
very determined resistance, but Gen.
Sheridan had formed a compact mass
of men across the pike; Custer on the
extreme right to harass and worry the
enemy until Sheridan should create d
panic with the remainder of the line.
This plan, SO simple in its conception,
worked like a charm, was successful be-
yond all expectation. The enemy's left
overlapped Sheridan's right, and taking
advantage of this turned the overlap
ping on the flank, causing slight con-
fusion in Sheridan's line. This was,
however, quickly righted by counter
charge of Gen McAIilIan's Brigade into
the angle thus formed, and the fianking
party of the enemy was cut off with
both fianks in the air. Custer coming
up from Middle Marsh Brook, formed
for the charge. While his lines were
forming he rode up to Sheridan, throw
ing his arms around his neck while
riding at furious speed. His gallant
troopers drawing saber, hurled the en-
tire red necktie'' division on the rebel
left, sabering without mercy and
trampling them under foot.
The hoy General with golden locks"
even Out-Custered Custer. At the same
time the whole line was going forward
in fine style, driving everything before
10 nrfc of ftaa,
line was strongly posted behind stone
fences and trees, but proving of little
avail. The Sixth Corps sprang forwar ]
as if shot from the cannOn's mouth, the
other corps vieing in impetuosity. BY
this time Crooks command had been
reorganiZed. and they went forward
with hearty good WILL fully proving
that the reverses of the morning were
no fault of theirs. 1t seemed scarcely
credible that the men who were beaten
in the morning We're the same who
charged so splendidly in the afternoon.
The Enemy Fights Hard.
The enemy was not idle. They OPEN
ed upon the charging column with 80
pieces of artillery, and shells were hurl-
ed with terrible precision into the solid
mass of advancing infantry. The Fed
eral batteries We're nobly doing their
duty. Over the hills and up the pike the
blue closely pressed the gray. Sheridan
seeing battery favorably posted, turn
ed to one of his Aids, saying: Ride
down to Capt. -, and tell him to fire
faster" The message was delivered
and the detonations were without in
terval. Once and only once did our men
falter, and that was when subjected to
a murderous fire from behind stone
fence. A hearty cheer from the line
and the Johnnies were on the run, tho
not all of them-the ground was COW
cred with dead and dying. The enemy
now became a miserable rabble throw
ing away tneir arms and everything to
get away from their pursuers.
Custer crossed Cedar Creek at ford
west of the pike and Devin east of the
pike. just before dark, pressed the rOut-
ed mass of the enemy into their strong
position at Fishers Hill. The cavalry
were busy all night in securing the
trophies of the battle. The road from
Cedar Creek to Fishers Hill, A distance
OF about three miles. was a perfect lam
of ambulances, artillery caissons and
wagons. An officer of the Second Bri-
aade, First Cavalry Division, rode up to
Sheridan's headquarters, when the fol-
lowing dialog ensued:
Ofiicer-"General, / have come to ask
for a brigade of infantry to hold the
captured artillery. of which | believe
We have at least 20 pieces
Sheridan-'1 don't believe it. Who
are you?"
Officer-"I am Capt. L. B. Britton, OF
the 1st y. y. Dragons, Second Bri.
gade. First Division. D-n if / don't
believe we have over 40 pieces"