The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-05

battle. was dearer to mel, appealed more
strongly to her pride, than that which
was the highest the American people
could bestoW, president Of tho United
States" It's an irony OF fate that the
man, who so undauntedly faced death
again and again on the field OF battle
and came forth unscathed, should have
died by the hand Of a cowardly assas-
sin while serving his country as its
Chief Executive. President Mckinley
paid a visit to Winchester in 1900. reg
istering at the old Taylor Hotel ia
nous for It's historical associations.
The hotel served as the headquarters
OF General s,onewall Jackson during
the time nc occupied Winchester from
the fall OF 1861 to tho spring Of 1859.
After the evacuation OF Winchester by
Jackson, Banks had his headquarters
IN the hotel 1t was also used as a
hospital both for Federal and Confed-
crate wounded.
FcderaIs in Pursuit.
At daybreak upon the morning fol-
lowing tho battle OF Winchester the en-
tire Federal army was again In pur-
suit OF the Confederates. The Confed.
crates took up position at Fishers
Hill, which had been intrenched and
occupied by Stonewall Jackson some
years before. The Federals halted at
Strasburg, two miles from Fishers
Hill. cannon silot, at sunset, warning
them that their further passage up the
Valley was to be disputed. Sheridan
established his headquarters in the
town. the army occupying tho woods
and hills In the vicinity.
Sheridan was determined that the
Confederates should not have time TO
aS trA hn al
nor TO obtain achievements, so on
the afternoon OF September 22, he at
tackled Early at Fishers Hill. The bat.
tie continued until dark, ending In the
defeat OF the confederates, with great
loss OF life and the capture of many
prisoners Sheridan. in his off!ciak re-
port to Grant. is said TO have made the
claim that darkness alone saved Early s
army from total destruction. The Fed
erals halted at Woodstock. ten miles
from Fishers Hill. for the night
starting the next day in pursuit OF the
confederates, pursuing them as far
| as Harrisonburg.
Campaign Brought Sheridan Fame.
! Two weeks later. on the 9Th OF Octo-
( Der. tho Federals started on their mem.
: orable return down tho valley, Sherl-
{ dan burning barns. mills. stacks OF hay
| and grain and driving away the cattle
| and the sheep. sheridan's army wa!
! enveloped In clouds of smoke as 1t pur'
sued It's ruthless course, leaving oehint
devastation and ruin. and coIsterna
ton. followed by the sobs of women
/ the terrified walls Of children and the
rare curses of feeble, white-haired OLE
men. Sheridan's object was to "stai'si
| out" the Confederate troops in tsl
Valley, cowardly resort In the FIR !.
| Mace, but most p!tllcss and cruel ant
| barbarous from the fact that II en-
tailed untold suffering upon the help
less and the weak. taking the yer,
bread from the mouths of women ant
children.
+, 1t was Philip H. sheridan's career !,
I the Shenandoah Valley which won TO
him honor, renown and distinction Il
i the North. But there is no denying tn
\ fact that Sheridan, 10 say the least
4 was very much overrated. o
tho active campaign In the shen
andoah Valley would have ende'
as 1t begun. with the battle
Winchester. Sheridan was rockies
:, and daring fighter. but recklessnes
and daring arc not, necessarily, vaio
and bravery. at least In their hlshes
and best Interpretation.
Eut the North was not discriminatln
IN its appreciation of Sheridan. so
will so down to posterlty as one
tho ablest. greatest and most dlstln
|, suished commanders in the unlo
army. 100.
, II the Southern people fail to recog
niye Sheridan's claim to honor ana ois
tinction, 1t is because they were o's
| ori,,,Ina ting