The Washington herald., 1914-08-16


Lee had detached from his forces at
Petersburg Gen JOSEPH B. Kershaw's
division of Longstreets infantry corps
and Gen. FitZhugh Lees division ot
cavalry TO strengthen Early. Kershaw
had about 1900 men, Lee about l.2n.
These troops had marched by way Of
Culpeper Courthouse to Chester Gap IN
the Blue Ridge and on the morning OF
August Is had crossed the mountains and
descended 10 the ford Of the river near
Cedarvills on their route westward 20
Join Early at Fishers Hill
Sheridan had taken the precaution Of
guarding this ford with a division Of
his cavalry. under Gen. Wesley Merritt.
and two of Merritt's brigades. one I'm
der Gen George a. Custer. the ether
under Gen. Thomas c. Devin. were a
the ford when the enemy appeared at
: =. m.
The Confederate cavalry attacked the
Federal picksts. driving them and their
, reserves back upon the main force. which
was posted in front Of its camp.
The enemy then charged. and were re-
pulsed, retiring in confusion.
The FederaIs. pursuing. discovered
brigade Of infantry engaged in wadlns
the river. They wer allowed TO ao-
vance within carbine range ! murder
Gus voIley was then fired into their solid
ranks. while the whole OF the Federal
cavalry charged.
Taken BY surprise. the Confederate in.
fantry turned back and attempted TO Re-
gain the farther bank. The Fedora
horsemen were soon among them. GU
ting them down and enforcing the sur
| render Of "A officers and 20 men TWO
| stands Of colors were captured.
Reasons for R~treat.
Gen Sheridan was delighted with this
spIrited AFFAIR, which he described in 4
repart as "a very handsome cavaiTF
| fight
The visual evidence Of the prisoners.
| all Of whom belonged to Kershav div
| sion, amply confirmed for him the reports
| that Early was being re-enfo,'ed. and
| he started his army in retreat that sven
| ing.
The troops marched all night In PASS
| ing through Winchester next 'n"rnln|
| The Federal soldiers were chacr.ued u
see smiles Of derision on tie :tg"S ~
| the habitants, who came to Their doo,
TO see sheridan's army pass and who
! believed Early would soon drive Il INTO
| the Potomac.
Sheridan took up a position behind the
| Opequon. with his left resting on heIFN-
| VILE and his right extending TO IHlto0.
toward the Potomac, the line being a0oHt
| four miles long.
The line of the Opequon. in Sheridans
! opinion. was the only defensible one IN
the valley. He was justified, he felt. IN
selecting 1t by the reports he received OF
\ the strength Of the enemy.
Grants information as to the number
of troops that had been sent Early was
to the effect that two divisions Of infsn-
try and two Of cavalry had gone. This
| led Grant to believe that Early might
| bring as many as 1000 men against Sher-
idan. for Grants estimate of the troops
already under Early placed them at 3.oo
In view Of these figures, the proper
course was to place Sheridan. with $500
on the defensive, and order him to be
REINFORCED.
At dawn on August II Early;s signal
men, posted on one of the triple peaks or
the Massanutton Range, looked down
upon the ground along Cedar Creek that
sheridan's army had occupied and found
It vacant. Early at once put his army IN
motion toward Winchester He now
thought Sheridan a tinid commander.
and he sought to give him battle.
tCopynsht. lsl4)