The Washington herald., 1914-10-09

I ended. had put his army in motion north
ward, TO retire down the valley, on the
day Gen. Early set out from the vicinity
Of Port Republic to attack HIM.
Gen. LOmax Near Capture.
his infantry, Gen. Early sent his cavalry,
under Gen. Rosser and Gen. L. L Lo-
max, to harass the Federal cavalry as
Sheridan withdrew up the valley. The
Confederate troopers numbered less than
5000, the Federals nearly 5000.
The Confederates advanced with much
| spirit. though without subjecting them
selves to attack. until the Federals
passed through Woodstock on the valley
up just as Gen. Wesley Merritt's division
was endeavorinE 10 subdue a confiagra-
| ton that had spread from a burning mill
TO the houses in the town.
Interrupted at this work Of salvage,
the Federals were Obliged to fight The
fighting here, and also on the Back Road.
paralleling the turnpike to the west,
where Rosser attacked Gen. George A.
| Clusters division, led Gen. Sheridan. on
the night OF October s, to order his chief
of cavalry. Gen. A. T. A. TOrbert. to at
| tack the Confederates the next morning,
and lick them, or get licked himself"
The next morning LOmax and Rosser
/ resumed their demonstrations against
the Federal cavalry. on a line about three
miles long, at Toms Brook. They found
! the Federals in battle array. across both
roads. A spirited fight ensued, which
lasted two hours
Then the Confederates. losing all organ
ization. fell back in complete rout Al
first they followed the roads. but as the
pursuit grew hotter they took to the
fields, or escaped into the mountains.
| Only the pertinacity with which they
| stood at every stone wall or rise OF
ground to hold their pursuers in check
| saved them from complete disaster. Some
Of the boldest halted to fight until the
! Federals were upon them. They were
killed or disarmed.
| In one small group of valiant men who
| thus tried to stem the tide OF disaster
was Gen. LomaX. A knot OF Federals
dashed upon him and a companion ON
Ger OF lesser rank, who was the better
dressed OF the two A Federal. assuming
manded his surrender. While 1t was be-
ing effected Gen. Lomax escaped.
Eleven Guns Lost.
| At Edenton, ten miles south OF the
scene of battle. the Federals overlook the
! Confederate wagon trains and ambu-
| lances dashing to the rear. All were
captured, including the headquarters
wagons and personal effects of the Con-
| federate generals. Many Of the wagons
had been taken from the Federals earlier
| in the campaign and still bore the letter
ing U. S. A.
| Gen. Merritt. whose division, with the
| valley pike before them, led the pursuit
! fastest and farthest, reported chasing the
enemy twenty miles across the Shenan-
doah at Mount Jackson and taking forty
l two wagons, three ambuiances, five can.
non, and four caissons. FIVE forges, twen-
ty-nine mules. thirty-eight horses, a
/ wagon load of Enfield rifles, and hfty-twc
i prisoners, including three officers. Cap
lures by Custer and by Col. Charles Rus
sell Lowell. companding a reserve divi'
sion. completed the spoils, which included
IL guns, go prisoners. The Federal Iosse!
of the day were about sixty men killeC
| or wounded.
Gen. Early felt keenly the damage don't
his cavalry. This is very distressing t.
me-" he wrote Gen. Lee. God knows
have done all in my power to avert thu
disasters which have befallen the com
mand: but the fact is the enemy's cav
airy is so much superior to ours, both IN
numbers and equipment. and the countrI
is so favorable to the operations OF cav
airy that 1t Is impossible for ours Il
! compete with his"
Though his cavalry practically wal
rendered ineffective, Gen. Early was no
yet prepared to close his campaign. H,
hoped for some lucky stroke that woulC
turn the tables on Sheridan. II was {
vain hope. according to all natural laws
but one that seemed near realization or
October 10. when Early fianked Sheri
dams army and threw 1t into confusion
at Cedar Creek.
1