Putnam patriot., 1918-05-31
DESCRIBES BATTLE
OF CEDAR CREEK
Major Jos. Mckachnie, Mem
her of General Clusters Com
mand, Tells How Gen. Early
Was Driven from Shenan-
doah Valley.
Interesting Memorial Day Exercises
At Putnam High School

Clusters command and how General
Philip Sheridan rid the Shenandoah
valley of Early's raids. and graphic
ally describing the great victory Of
tae Union forces at the battle Of Ced-
ar creek. Major Joseph MeKachale
held the close attention of the pupils
and friends Of the Putnam High
school at their Memorial Day exer-
Uses, Wednesday noon, for nearly an
hovC.
The speaker, Chauncey Morse,
Horace E. Pierce, Arson A. Buchan-
an and N W. Youngs, seated on the
platform, represented the boys of the
North who went out in 81 to free
this country from slavery's curse and
preserve the union.
Principal A. B. Handy presided
and gave a short talk on the purpose
of the day, comparing the principles
for which the old veterans fought
and the war in which their sons and
erandsons are now taking part, both,
ne said, to rid the world of slavery.
The opening number was the sing
iag of the Battle Hymn of the Re
public" by the whole gathering. Fol
lowing this there were two reeitatious.
Miss Gladys Robbins and Miss Ruth
Bartlett both recited finely and re-
ceived hearty applause.
There followed selection by the
glee club, after which Mr.. Handy am
nouaced that it had been requested
that the poem, "Sheridan's Ride, be
read. This was done by Stanton Bal
lard
Major Mckachnie was then intro
duced. He said that he would tell Of
the battle of Cedar Greek, which was
abest twenty miles from Winchester,
in the Shenandoah Valley, Va, and
occurred on the 10Th of October,
1864.
He said that this valley was an i'm
portant position and had been fought
over for a period of three years with
varying success on both sides. As late
rs July, 1864 Early made a raid,
crossing the Patomac and threatening
Washington and the north. The
north was continually in distress at
this time, fearing a raid by the Con
federate troops.
General Grant determined to put
an end to these raids and selected
Gen Sheridan as the man to do 1t. He
sent MIN to the valley and put him in
command of the troops. His instruc-
tons were to follow Early and put an
end to his harassing raids. Troops to
assist were sent from Richmond, Pet
ersburg and other places The speak
er was member of the Bird brigade
cavalry. He toid eli how, while on
the way to the valley, the troops IN
covered as they passed Mount Vernon
and eheered as they passed Washing
ton.
Early had been held back by using
every available man around Washing
ton who could carry a gun, and he
had finally been driven back to the
vicinity of Winchester. Sheridan had
thrown up trenches in the event he
had to retreat The first severe en-
gagement was the battle of Winches-
ter which turned into a great success
for the northern arms, and prisoners,
Guns and ammunition were captured
and Early was driven up the valley
beyond Winchester
Beth armies were now reforming at
Cedar Creek waiting for the ineyita
Bile struggle. Early on September 10
boosted that he would drive the I'm
ION troops back, and just a month
later to day he came near doing it.
Major McKachnie said he had been
on picket duty and had rolled up in
his blanket and laid down on the
ground for a sleep. Very early in the
morning there was crack, crack,
crack, as the outposts were fired up
on and were driven back He knew
that the battle had started for the
mastery of the Shenandoah velley
The rebel yell was heard, and once
heard II is never forgotten. At day
light mass of men were seen. They
were without formation and were be-
ing driven back, and back, and back.
There was no formation whatever,
Just a mass of humanity, downheart-
ed and depressed, being driven back.
Sheridan put the cavalry across the
valley Only single line to hold the
valley until the infantry could be re
formed 10 come to its support. Had
the enemy known it they could have
swept il from the face of the earth.
Bn the rebels were hungry and stop
ped to eat after pillaging the north
ern camp. The cavalry wondered
why tie infantry did not come up.
By and by Yankee cheer was heard
coming nearer and nearer. Sheridan
Continued ON PAGE Three1