The Washington herald., 1914-09-13
THE WAR DAY BY DAY
Fifty Years Ago.
September l3 lS64An Infantry Regiment Of Gen Juba Es
crate Army the Shenandoah Valley the Eighth South Carolina
Captured by Cavalry from the Federal Army H. Sheridan
Great Value the Federal Commander Sharp Work by Cavalry



Fifty years ago today an infantry regi-
ment OF Gen. Jubal A. EarIy's COnfed-
crate army in the Shenandoah Valley. the
Eighth South Carolina, was captured
with its colors. by cavalry from the Fed
eral army. under Gen. P. II. Sheridan.
The incident illustrated forcIbly the
value to Gen. Sheridan of sharp WORK by
the cavalry. II demonstrated to MIN
fact he was anxious to establish. namely,
the continued presence in his front Of the
division of Gen. Joseph G. Kershaw, OF
Longstreet's corps. Kershaw's division
had been sent from Petersburg by Gen.
Lee to re-enforce Gen. Early. Gen. Sheri-
dan expected that events at Petersburg.
where Gen. Grant had been making
heavy attacks upon Lees lines, would
induce Gen. Lee to recall the division.
Orders for its recall had. in fact, been
issued, but this was not known in the
command. and the prisoners therefore
could not impart the information to
Sheridan.
Until Kershaw marched. it was Shcri-
dams purpose to remain on the defcn-
sive. He believed the Confederates IN
the valley were in equal force at least
to his own. This was an error, as the
capture OF the Eighth South Carolina
tended to show him. This regiment had
been estimated by the Federals to num-
Der 500 men. Its capture showed it
actually numbered a little more than 1oo
men. so great had been the depletion of
its ranks by hard service.
II the other infantry regiments IN
EarIy's command had shrunk like this
one. the Federals must see the force in
front of them must be very much less
than they had at first supposed.
Military information is usually OBJ
tained in such bits as this. which, |.
given due study, means much. Early's
force, in fact was very much smaller
than Sheridan had supposed II. He had
not more than 1000 men for battle.
Sheridan had nearly as many In cavalry
alone. and a. total Of 5000 strong for
battle Signs were multiplying to DEM
onstrate this disparity: and once II was
demonstrated. the fate of Early's army
would be sealed.
Cavalry Harnesses Enemy.
sheridan's army was now in position
and in condition to begin aggressive op-
erations against Early with high prom
Use Of swift success. It had once ad-
vanced against the enemy. had with
drawn to near Harpers Ferry. and had
again advanced. taking position on Sep
TENDER behind Opequon Creek. There
It had since remained.
This stream was a tributary Of the Po-
tomac. flowing for twenty miles down
the Shenandoah Valley. passing midway
between the Shenandoah River and Win
chester.
Sheridan was the first Federal COM
ma nder to see the value of the Opequon
as a line of operation. Others had sought
to form their Hines across the valley-a
useless proceeding, since the mountain
gaps on either side gave the enemy &C
cess to their rear.
Sheridan formed his line lengthwIse of
the valley. facing the enemy at Win
chester. having his own back to the
Blue Ridge passes. and leaving himself
free to move either to the left, and
threaten Earlys line of retreat up the
valley. or to the right, If obliged to fall
back
This was the only sound system Of
operations for that field. as events proved |
While lying behind the opequon Sheri- |
dan by no means was idle. His cavalry !
was engaged daily in observing theI