The Washington herald., 1914-10-18

Fifty years ago today Gen. P. II. Sheri-
dams army, its campaign Of devastation
in the Shenandoah Valley practically
completed, lay behind Cedar Greek. about
fifteen miles south OF Winchester, while
its commander was on an official trip
TO Washington.
Sheridan considered his valley cam
paign ended. He had advanced up the
valley sixty miles to Harrisonburg and
had sent his cavalry twenty-five miles
farther south. He had destroyed prac-
ticaIly all forage and military supplies
in the valley, together with every barn
and mill in the territory visited, which
embraced the richest part of the valley.
When Sheridan had reached Harrison
burg he had announced TO Gen. Grant
that his offensive campaign was done and
that he purposed ending the campaign by
destroying property, as ordered Then
he wished to return to a position near
Winchester, and, retaining only enough
troops to hold the lower valley, send the
bulk Of his command to Grant for use
in the siege OF Petersburg.
The enemy. under Gen. Jubal E. Early,
was Incapable of further offensive opera
tions, in Gen. Sheridan's opinion. In fact,
Gen. Sheridan had supposed Gen. Early
had retreated through the Blue Ridge.
Gen. Grant had urged Sheridan to follow
Early across the mountains, TO seize the
Virginia Central Railroad at Charlottes-
Vile, and to work along 1t toward Rich-
mond, destroying it as he went
Gen. Sheridan had demurred at this
plan. on the ground that his army was
not equipped with transportation for
passage of the mountains. Gen. Grant
having deferred to his wishes, he marched
his army back down the valley.
Gen. Early. far from being incapable
Of resuming the offensive, followed close
on the heels OF the Federals. His cavalry
at first harassed their cavalry rear guard,
until, being overbold, they were turned
upon by Sheridan's troops at Toms Brook
on October and hurled back, shattered
and spent, in hot retreat up the valley.
This check to his cavalry was a blow
to Early, but he kept on behind the Fed
erals with his infantry, and took post
in his old works at Fishers Hill. about
four miles southwest of the Federal lines
behind Cedar Creek, the town OF Stras-
burg being Between the two armies.
Many Homes burned.
In spite of Gen. Early's pertinacity, he
had been unable to check the Federal pro-
gram OF destroying property in the val
lev. Sheridan had sufficient forca to
carry out to the letter Gen Grants or
ders to make such a desert Of the valley
that a crow flying across it would need
to carry his own rations.
This was a cruel policy. but the man OF
iron at the head of the Federal armies
felt that such cruelty wss kindness to
his country in the long run So long as
the valley remained fruitful it would sup
ply the armies under Early and zee with
food. laying It waste was held 20 be a
necessary step toward speedily ending the
war
In carrying out Gen. Grants orders the
men under Sheridan had sought to OBJ
serve his strict injunctions not to burn
houses: They were not always success
full, for they were required to burn barns
and mills, and in many instances such
buildings were near dwellings. TO which
the FIRE communicated.
Furthermore. Federal officer, Lieut.
John r. Meigs having been killed (near
Dayton). supposedly while prisoner,
Gen. Sheridan ordered all the houses
within five miles Of the scene Of his death
burned. on the ground that their occu-
pants harbored bushwhackers. This or
der was carried out.
In this way the sufferings Of many In
habltants Of the valley who had no active
hand in the war. poignant enough when
they saw their means Of livelihood de-
stroyed. were rendered deeper by the
loss OF their homes
Many OF the Federal officers. thinking
OF their own homes. secure from the in
raders' torch. and Of their families living