The National tribune., 1907-07-11

United States combined sent to the War
Department during the rebellion The
number of field pieces captured in the
same period was 10 all in open field
fighting Ir the Valley $4,000 prisoners
were captured. ~
joy TO the Cou.try.f
When the news of the victory at Cedar
Creek WAS received in Washington the
President at once thanked the army in
an autograph letter:
Executive Mansion.
Washington, Oct. %. 1864.
"Maj.-Gen. Sheridan: With pleasure
tender you and your brave army the
thanks OF the Nation and my own per-
sonal admiration and gratitude for the
months operations in the Shenandoah
Valley. and especially for the splendid
work of Oct 10. 1864.
Your obedient servant,
Abraham Lincoln
Several weeks after this Sheridan re-
ceived 4 special letter from the Secre-
tary of War stating That for the per-
sonal gallantry. military skill, 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 Provi-
dence your routed army was reorgan-
lied and great National disaster
averted and a brilliant victory achieved
over the rebels for the third time in
pitched battle within 80 days. Philip H.
Sheridan is appointed a MajOr-General
in the United States Army
On receipt of the news at City Point,
Amry Headquarters, of Sheridans vic
tory, Gen. Grant ordered a salute of
100 guns to be fired.
The News Reaches Gen. Grant.
Gen. Horace Porter in his campaign
~ wit .At O'Clock in
the afternoon of Oct 20, 1864, Gen.
Grant was sitting at his table in his tent
writing letters. Several members of his
staff who were at headquarters at the
time were seated in front of the tent
discussing some anticipated movement
The telegraph operator came across the
camp ground, hurriedly stepped into the
Generals quarters and handed him a
dispatch. He read it over. and then
came to the front of the tent. put on a
very grave look and said to the MEM
bers of the staff. .Tll read You what l
just received from Sheridan We We're
all eager to hear the news. for we felt
that the telegram was of Importance.
The General began to read the dispatch
in very solemn tone. It was dated 10
p. m. the night before:
Il have the honor to report that my
army at Cedar Creek was attacked this
morning before daylight, and my left
driven in confusion: in fact. most of my
line was turned and driven in confusion
with the loss of 20 pieces of artillery. /
hastened from Winchester. where I was
on. my way from Washington. and join
ed the army between Middietown and
Newtown, having been driven back
about four miles" That's pretty bad,
isn't it?"
A melancholy chorus replied, 'It's too
bad. too bad!''
INC 7 fIa
rest of it." added the General, with a
perceptible twinkle in his eye. He then
went on reading more rapidly: Il here
took the affair in hand, and quickly
united the corps, formed a compact line
of battle just in time to repulse an at
tack of the enemy, which was hand
somely done, at about 2. p. MI At p.
from the left to the right flank, l at
tackled with great vigoE, driving and
routing the enemy. capturing, according
to last reports, 43 pieces of artillery and
very many prisoners. lido not know
the number of casualties or Ithe losses
of the enemy: Wagon traiHs ambu-
lances and caissons in Large numbers
are in our possession. They also burn
ed some of their train. Affairs at
times looked bad. but by, the, gallantry
of our brave officers and, men disaster
has been converted into a splendid vic
tory. Darkness again interyened to shut
off greater results. BY this, time our
men had rallied from their detection,
and were beside themselves. with de-
light"
Gen. Sherman said: We have heard
of Gen. Sheridan's great victory at
Cedar Creek. We can't afford to burn
powder, but our men can make it up
in yelling, which is just as good"
During the day of the battle dis
n9tch hes racajvea IN ha ,har
Gen. Sheridans mother lived A neigh
Dor of the old lady informed her of the
news that the Generals army was at
tackled. driven back and completely
routed. Such was the confidence i'm her
son that she steadfastIy refused to be-
lieve it, but dispatch after dispatch was
received confirming the report. At last
she was forced to believe the unwel-
come news. "Well, if the army is de-
feated and driven back l am sure Philin