University of Virginia Library

BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.

After the battle of Fishers Hill it became evident that General Early
had not a sufficient force with which to cope with Sheridan, and accordingly
General Lee sent Kershaw's division to reinforce him. Sheridan,
after having laid waste the Valley, rested his army on the south bank
of Cedar Creek, a small stream which forms the boundary line between
Shenandoah and Frederick counties, and repaired to Washington to consult
with the Secretary of War with reference to the transfer of the 6th
corps to that city.

On the night of the 18th of October, General Early determined to attack
the Federal position during the absence of Sheridan, and under
cover of the darkness, he marched his army out from Fishers Hill (to
which place he had returned and taken position after being joined by
Kershaw), and in order to flank the Federal lines, it was necessary to
move the larger column through a narrow gap in the mountains, so narrow,
in fact, that two men could not walk abreast. The marching, for
more than seven miles over a broken country, along mountain sides and
down hills so abrupt that horses could scarcely travel, occupied almost
the entire night, and it was near daybreak before a position in front of
the Federal lines was attained.

But all was upon time; everything had been conducted with the
utmost secrecy, and not even a picket alarm had been given. Orders to
attack were given, and with Payne's division in the lead, a charge across
the creek was made, Sheridan's head-quarters being the objective point.
The infantry followed rapidly on, Gordon's division following Payne,
with that of Pegram in reserve. A terrible fire was opened from all
points. It was a fearful surprise to the sleeping army, the 8th and 19th
corps of which were entirely routed, and retreating left many hundreds
slain in the camps; and 1,500 prisoners, 18 pieces of artillery, 2,000
stand of small arms, and several hundred wagons fell into the hands of
the Confederates. Fully two thirds of Sheridan's army was in rapid retreat,
but the 6th corps and the cavalry commanded by Generals Torbert,
Merrit and Dwight had not yet been engaged. At 9 o'clock A. M. the
field had been won, and had the victorious troops now pressed on and

struck the 6th corps, Sheridan's army would have been involved in utter
ruin. But instead, Early's force, for some unknown cause, halted on the
field and allowed the Federals to form a new line near Middletown. At
10 o'clock A. M. Sheridan had completed his famous "Ride from Winchester,"
and at 3 o'clock P. M. assumed the offensive, and moving forward,
vigorously and successfully assaulted Early. Gordon's division
was the first to break, then followed Kershaw's, and later Ramseur's.
Soon after, Wharton's and Pegram's lines gave way, and the field was
soon covered with flying men. It was a shameful rout. Never before
had the Confederate soldiery so behaved. Their loss was 3,500 killed
and wounded, and 2,500 prisoners, while that of the Federals was 4,990,
of whom 653 were killed, 3,719 wounded, and 618 missing.