The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-09-10

! planted near the spot they had but a
| few moments before vacated. Our ar.
| tillery responded. and for Il quarter of
an hour the ground shook with the
rapid discharges. Then our brave fel-
lows had TO return forced back by
superior numbers. and with their ranks
thinner by many men than when they
went forward. Fresh Confederate
troops were now pushed forward, and
after another short and bloody struggle
we were forced to give way, yielding
the ground grudgingly, and finally fall
ing back TO a new position in the
woods near Middletown.
This dismal morning wore excitingly
on, and at o o'clock we were again
making desperate efforts to check the
enemy's advance. The brunt of fresh
| and fierce onset was borne by the
Eighth corps on the left. and the Sixth
in the center, with Custer and Merritt
in the thick of the battle. cheering on
the men, fighting like tigers and accom-
kerry were used on both sides, but the
big guns of the enemy were brought to
bear with greater effect, their batteries
being REINFORCED by those captured
from us earlier in the day. Early's
thanking column pressed us severely,
and once more we were forced to re-
treat. The Sixth corps in the center
held the ground stubbOrnly, but unas-
sisted. il could not resist the deter
mined advance of the enemy. The
whole line gave way and the COnfed
crates gained possession of Middletown.
Again and again they charged our re-
treating columns. The federal forces
seemed as playthings in their hands.
Heroic attempts were made To rally
our men and make a stand to check the
furious advance. but the tide of battle
YVES against us; the ground is grudg-
ingly yielded foot by foot, and away we
go to Newtown. on the pike and about
five miles north of Middlctown. The
enemy took possession of the heights
north of MiddIetown. which we had
just vacated, planted his artillery.
which was served with great accuracy,
and sent "A storm of shot and shell into
our retreating columns. We had then
been driven about eight miles since sun.
rise
il was an anxious and terrible mo-
ment. The gravest fear pervaded every
breast. Where would IL all end? Was
it possible that we were to be driven
back to Winchester, and so down TO
IIarper's Ferry and out of the valley?
We had been fighting against fate and
a desperate enemy since early sunrise,
and disaster had overtaken us at every
point. The bravery and dauntless cour-
age of officers and men counted for
naught before the furious onsets of the
victorious Confederates. Our men were
hungry and weary, and almost disheart-
ened at the continued reverses. Wound
cd and dead were to be seen every
| where. and the stragglers were becom-
ing more numerous. Something must
or our worst fears will be realized
our army will he crippled and scattered
through the valley and our previous
successes count as good work thrown
away
But where is Sheridan in this time of
peril? lie had arrived at Winchester
from Washington the day previous
OSth) and slept there that night. On
the morning of the 10Th, without
thought or knowledge of the danger
started with his escort for Cedar Greek
at Il leisurely pace. But he had not
proceeded far before he heard the dis
tant roar Of heavy artillery In the di-
rection of Middletown. and then he
urged his horse into faster gait. lie
began TO feel very uneasy as the sound
of the guns came nearer. Had Early
ventured To attack the federal position
at Cedar Creek? Gradually as he rode
along the sounds of battle roll like
thunder toward him. and then be be-
gan to realize that heavy fighting was
raging to the front and that the Union
army had met defeat and was rapidly
being pushed northward. Then he
drove the spurs deep into his horses
side and dashed forward at a mad gal
| Top. unwilling to believe that disaster
had overtaken the gallant army he had
twice led to victory. Yet the bands of
stragglers and camp followers he met
Oh the road told him but too truly that
| his brave men had heen beaten and
were in full flight.
Galloping along far in advance of his
escort he dashed up to the retreating
army. horse reeking with foam, and by
his voice and presence infused new
| courage into the dishcarteend men. All
| retreat was ordered stopped at once,
and in a short time he had got his men