Underground Railroad & Civil War
1792-1908
A key underground railroad route ran from New York City to Albany and then to the West passing to the North of the Finger Lakes. Many people escaped across Lake Ontario from that part of the New York, while others continued west to cross near Niagara Falls. In the vicinity lived both Frederick Douglas in Rochester and Harriet Tubman in Auburn, who made her thirteen liberating trips between 1850-1860.
James Grant (1792-1873)
James and his wife, Nancy Wolverton, lived in Butler, New York, about 30 miles North of Auburn and 50 miles East of Rochester. James was a farmer. His property is what is now 3676 Foster Mead Rd in Savannah, New York. He was born in New Jersey, according to the census records; his grandson’s wife said he was born in Scotland, but this was likely James’ father. James was living in New York by the age of 20 where he fought in the War of 1812 as a private in Capt. John Brown’s Company of New York Militia. He enlisted on July 1, 1812 and was discharged October 1, 1812.
In addition to family stories, the primary record of his sentiments regarding the institution of slavery, and his participation in the underground railroad, were published in 1895 in George Cowles’ Landmarks of Wayne County, New York:
“James Grant gave his sympathetic and material assistance toward the abolition of slavery, and his house was a Mecca for the fugitive.”
His name does not appear in any of the traditional public anti-slavery societies or activities, yet his strong support was likely done quietly because of the danger and repercussions involved. That the word “Mecca” was chosen to describe the Grant home implies a significant number fugitive slaves sought it out. It is likely that James was a member of the Congregational Church of Butler, given the religious views of both his ancestors and his descendants. This church was seven tenths of a mile from his house, and is now a private residence – 13022 South Butler Rd in Savannah, New York. The church was built in 1836 after its founding members separated from the Presbyterian church and its association with slavery. The church is nationally significant because it was the first known white congregation in the U.S. to call as its pastor both a Black freedom seeker, Samuel R. Ward, who was there from 1841-43, and a woman, Antoinette Brown, in 1853 at the age of 28. Frederick Douglass visited and spoke at the church three times in 1853.
Rev. Samuel R. Ward escaped from slavery in Maryland in 1820 at the age of three with his parents. On a lecture tour in February 1841, he stopped at the Congretational Church of Butler to speak. The “meeting was attended by some steady honest farmers and others, with their wives and daughters.” Members of the community invited him to settle in the town and become their minister – and he accepted.
“I look back to my settlement among that dear people with peculiar feelings….The Church and congregation were all white persons save my own family. It was ‘a new thing under the sun’ to see such a connection. The manly courage they showed, in calling and sustaining and honouring as their pastor a black man, in that day, in spite of the too general Negro-hate everywhere rife (and as professedly pious as rife) around them, exposing them as it did to the taunts, scoffs, jeers, and abuse of too many who wore the cloak of Christianity – entitled them to what they will ever receive, my warmest thanks and kindest love.”
Willis Wolverton Grant (1829-1908)
Willis was one of the 14 children of James Grant and Nancy Wolverton. Nancy, born in 1804, died young in 1832, and James remarried a woman named Matilda. Willis therefore grew up on the same farm, in the same house, and attended the same Congregational Church of Butler as his father, James Grant. Living amongst the abolitionist views of his community, meeting many fugitive slaves in his home, and listening to the preaching of Samuel Ward, Frederick Douglass and Antoinette Brown, it is most certainly with conviction that he enlisted in the Union Army at the age of 35 on September 3, 1864 in nearby Wolcott, New York. Willis was mustered that day as a private in the New York 9th Heavy Artillery Regiment, Company “G.” On that day, he was listed as a farmer with blue eyes, brown hair, a sandy complexion, and a height of 5’8″.
The 9th Heavy Artillery joined the army of the Potomac in May 1864 and was later present at the fall of Petersburg, Virginia and the surrender of Lee at the Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865). At the time of Willis’ enlistment, the 9th participated in the Virginia battles of Winchester (September 19), Fishers Hill (September 22), and Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864). Willis’ obituary, below, indicates that he arrived with the unit, after training, three days before Cedar Creek – or October 16, 1864. It was at this battle, part of Maj. Gen. Phillip Sheridan’s Shenandoah campaign, that Willis’ life was forever altered. He was shot in the knee with bones shattered, taken after the battle to Jarvis Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where his leg was amputated. He was discharged on February 20, 1865 for disability. Upon his death, an often-told family story was repeated in the newspapers:
“The battle was then at its height, and with the aid of his musket he dragged himself to a place of safety, when a man rode up on a fine bay horse and told him not to go near a thicket toward which he was making his way, as it was filled with rebels. A little later he was found by his brother Isaac, who was in the same company, and was told by him that his mounted friend was no other than Major William McKinley, martyred President. Mr. Grant believed that his life was saved by him and ever cherished a warm admiration for his distinguished rescuer. For months thereafter he lay in a hospital and his life was despaired of, but after the amputation of his leg he slowly recovered.” (original)
William McKinley is pictured at left. To the right, from Alfred Roe’s 1899 history of the 9th NY Heavy Artillery, is a tintype of Isaac Grant, Willis’ brother, made at Meade’s Station, Petersburg, Virginia, in March 1865, shortly after the battle of Cedar Creek.
The Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia
The Union order of battle that day included the Sixth (VI), Eighth (VIII), Nineteenth (XIX) and Cavalry corps. In addition to future U.S. President William McKinley, also present at Cedar Creek were future U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, who McKinley had earlier served under, and George Armstrong Custer (3rd Cavalry Division). The Union army of 31,610 suffered 5,764 casualties, including 569 killed. In the New York 9th, 43 were killed and 165 wounded. The success of the Union victory at Cedar Creek, due in large part to Philip Sheridan’s relief by horseback, turned the tide of the Confederate army in the Shenandoah Valley, and helped Abraham Lincoln’s reelection in 1864.
The battle began before daybreak as a surprise attack at 5:00AM by the Confederates upon the Union camp, followed by intense fighting and a Union pullback to regroup – when they were reinforced in the mid-afternoon by the arrival of more troops. Two long lines then collided in full, which broke the Confederates and sent the rebels on the run. Two detailed narratives directly from the 9th are given below, along with all the relevant after-action reports from the U.S. Army.
Willis said that his wound occurred when the battle was “at its height” and that the thicket he was moving towards was full of rebels, and thus in front of him. He surely heard and faced the rebels’ “cat-like yells, that sounded more like demons than men” as described by Charles Shergur of the 9th NY. From the narratives below, the “height” of the battle seems to be in the morning, prior to Sheridan’s arrival and the final charge in the afternoon. Where and when, exactly, did Willis Grant get shot? And by what Confederate troops? The only way to determine this is to track the action of Willis’ unit against the potential horseback movements of William McKinley and also against the reports of the 3rd Division and the specific companies in the 2nd Brigade. On thing seems certain – it occurred prior to the mid-afternoon charge because that was one constant downhill push by the entire Union army. The morning action, however, was endless back-and-forth in low visibility fog. This is precisely when Willis would have been moving forward and when a staff officer like McKinley would have been riding around delivering orders and making reports.
McKinley was from Ohio and was serving on the staff of the VIII Corps commanded by George Crook. This corps included the 23rd Ohio, McKinley’s former, in its 2nd Division, 1st Brigade. Staff officers rode around on horseback conveying orders and delivering reports. On the morning of the battle, McKinley was likely camped near the Belle Grove mansion with Crook who was at the Union headquarters at the time. Belle Grove was built in 1797, still standing, and was the birthplace of James Madison and the home of his sister.
Willis was in Company G of the 9th Heavy Artillery led by Maj. James W. Snyder, part of the 2nd Brigade (William Ball) in the 3rd Division (J. Warren Keifer) of the VI Army Corps (James B. Ricketts, serving for an absent Horatio G. Wright). Keifer’s 3rd Division only had two brigades, while the others had three. In an artillery division, the primary focus is obviously on the cannon, but the men are also armed themselves to protect the big guns and fight with and alongside the infantry. Also fighting in the 3rd Division were troops from Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Maryland, Maine and Rhode Island – a true Yankee division. In total, the 3rd Division under Keifer was 151 officers and 3,818 enlisted men. Besides the 9th NY, the 2nd Brigade included the following, all of which filed after-action reports:
6th Maryland – Joseph C. Hill
110th Ohio – Otto H. Bixley
122nd Ohio – Moses M. Granger
126th Ohio – George Washington Hoge
67th Pennsylvania – John F. Young
138th Pennsylvania – Lewis A. May
While nobody could see anything because of the fog, the battle flags below flew over the various locations on the battlefield. Those of Willis’ brigade, division and corps are shown below. On the morning of the battle, the VI Corps 3rd division was camped on the north side of Meadow Brook below against the higher ground above what was called “Red Hill,” while the VIII and the XIX were on the south side of Meadow Brook below Belle Grove.
Cedar Creek opening engagement for the 9th New York
At the opening of the battle, Keifer was the extreme right of the VI Corps. Snyder, who commanded the 9th NY, said “our regiment was aroused at daylight my musketry on the extreme left of our line and in front of the VIII Corps.” Shergur, of the 9th NY, said the morning “was cold and misty – the fog so thick and impenetrable that we could not see across our camp to distinguish a man” and as they packed camp and formed ranks “the fire had become hot and rapid, the balls were whistling through our company and regiment.“
At daybreak, first the VIII, then the XIX were overrun in the surprise. Ball had taken command of the second brigade from Keifer after daybreak. Some of the brigade – but not the 9th NY – went below Meadow Brook toward the XIX camp. Snyder said in the 9th NY after-action report that he was “ordered to move the regiment by the left flank to the ground in front of our camp.” Noted by the triangular tent drawings in the Hotchkiss map, this puts the 9th NY on the rise above the Meadow Brook ravine. Shergur describes it similarly “a line facing to the south..we, being on an elevated piece of ground, were ordered to lie down and let the storm of lead and iron pass over us.”
From the after-action reports, the 6th Maryland went “across the run,” the 126th Ohio “crossed the creek – only a few yards beyond it,” the 122nd Ohio “being ordered to take the hill near General Sheridan’s headquarters…crossed the creek and began to ascend the opposite slope,” the 110th Ohio said “the 2nd Brigade forming the right of the line and the 110th Regiment forming the extreme right of the Brigade. We advanced to a stone wall near corps headquarters,“and the 67th Pennsylvania was “several hundred yards” behind Belle Grove. No comparable mentions appear in any of the stories relating to the 9th NY. The other elements of Ball’s 2nd Brigade made contact with the XIX as they fell back – shattered and disorganized – and being pursued Kershaw’s Division of soldiers from South Carolina (James M. Goggin) on the left, Georgia (James P. Simms) in the center, and Mississippi (Benjamin G. Humphry) on the right. Major General Joseph B. Kershaw was part of the Second Corps led by Jubal Early.
Joseph Whitehorne, in his 1992 battlefield guide published by the U.S. Army, gives a detailed picture of the battle in relation to current maps. The contemporary photo, below, gives a sense of the elevation of the fields behind Belle Grove upon which the Sixth Corps was camped.
“From the Belle Grove parking lot, make a right turn onto CR 727. Go 0.2 miles to the Meadow Mills Church, on the left at the intersection with CR 624. Park at the church and walk to the railroad tracks at the end of 727. The left flank of Keifer’s Division occupied the high ground to the rear of the white farmhouse. As you face the farmhouse. 300 yards to your left is where Colonel William Ball’s Brigade crossed Meadow Brook at about 0550 to go up to the XIX Corps positions to help. It was forced back more by the tide of the XIX Corps refugees than the Confederate action. The fighting on the hillside position raged until about 0730. Keifer was joined on his right by reformed XIX Corps units. At one time. Keifer’s Division counterattacked Kershaw’s Division, forcing it back across Meadow Brook. However, Kershaw continued to press against Keifer’s right, or north, flank and that, combined with developments on Keifer’s left (east) flank farther up CR 624, forced the Third Division to withdraw.”
The reference to a “thicket” by Willis, in the context of the original sketch by Jeddediah Hotchkiss, below, shows land that was completely cleared for farming, and that which has noticeable foliage cover. Similar to the aerial photo showing the battlefield today, the presence of numerous creeks and the rolling hill nature of the landscape means that vegetation and thickets could have existed in numerous places, even if there were not proper woods. The 67th PA said “the ground over which it fought was undulating in its character and entirely free from timber.” The ravine formed by Meadow Brook, to the west of Belle Grove, certainly had something that qualified as a “thicket” – but it does not appear that the 9th NY had crossed Meadow Brook – which makes sense given the difficulty of driving artillery pieces across it. It seems more likely that Willis was injured in subsequent advances, described below, which certainly were at the “height” of the battle and not the beginning.
VI Corps First Position
Drawing a coherent picture of the battle is difficult given the lack of good visibility that morning. The after-action reports were filed within days, so the recollections are as clear as they can be given the (literal) fog of war. Some of the stories are detailed, while others compress the morning into a few sentences and move right to Sheridan’s afternoon charge. Period and current maps combine with the narratives to capture the most likely movement of the 9th NY over the undulating terrain of the battlefield. Three key features exist on the Hotchkiss map that line up with a current Google map today: i) the location of the Belle Grove plantation; ii) the intersection at the current Meadow Mills Church with Route 727; and iii) the bend in the road as Meadow Mills Road (Route 624) intersects with and makes a hard left onto Veterans Road (Route 625). McCune (Route 757) did not exist at the time of the battle, although it marks the approximate span and location of the First Position. As Veterans Road continues, it bisects the Second Position and some of the woods that still exists were the woods that were at the Second Position in 1864. The road in the action reports, in the Hotchkiss map and in old maps of Middletown was an extension of what is now just the truncated driveway of 508 Veterans Road.
From the initial position south of VI Camp, Snyder said “from this position, we opened fire and held in check the rebels, who were advancing upon the knoll near the camp. At this time we were on the right of the brigade with no connection on our right.” They are likely still in this position when Shergur writes “The rebels are frantic with delight at the success but, alas!, they come to Sheridan’s head quarters and looking over on the hill they see the cross of the gallant VI Corps – they did not expect this…they rush on after the corps just routed (XIX, VIII), they meet the VI. Our regiment is the front line, and is the first to meet the foe. The order comes to ‘Rise and Fire.’ Like one man the whole line rises up and pours in its deadly fire, which stops the rebels and sends them staggering back…Our boys send up cheer after cheer, and keep up the most deadly fire ever poured into a foe.“
The 9th NY then forms the line of the First Position. Shergur said “the order comes to ‘about face’ and ‘retreat’ – this order is obeyed very reluctantly for the rebels are on our old campground and the boys feel enraged at their impudent trespass, but casting our eyes to the left, we see why we fall back – the rebels have flanked us on our left, and already they pour in a deadly cross-fire on our lines. Our men are falling thick and fast on every side; we fall back to a knoll, and again halt and pour in our fire. Again the rebel flanks us on the left; again we are compelled to fall back slowly, fighting at every step, contesting every inch of ground. The enemy has got range of us now, and pours in such a hail of canister, shot and shell, the air is boiling and seething with bullets; solid shot tear through our ranks, and make fearful vacancies, which are quickly and steadily filled up. The men move as steadily as if they were on drill or parade, their comrades falling on every side; they heed it not, but stubbornly fight and repeatedly ask to charge the rebels. They do not know what defeat is; they do not know how to retreat. Here one of our boys, Anthony Riley, was shot and killed; his father was by his side; the blood and brains of his son covered the face and hands of the father. I never saw a more affecting sight than this; the poor old man kneels over the body of his dead son; his tears mingle with his son’s blood. O God! what a sight; he can stop but a moment, for the rebels are pressing us; he must leave his dying boy in the hands of the devilish foe; he bends over him, kisses his cheek, and with tearful eyes rushes to the fight, determined on revenge for his son.”
At this same time, parts of the 2nd Brigade that went over Meadow Brook are falling back toward the 9th NY and the First Position noted on the adjacent maps. The 6th MD said that they fell “back across the run which we did in good order, under a heavy fire from the enemy, to the point where our line first advanced from.” The 126th OH said “In this crossing and recrossing the stream, the regiment was thrown into considerable confusion and order could not be restored until after passing the crest in our rear. Here the regiment engaged the advancing columns of the enemy, whose progress was sensibly checked at this point until the gradual falling back of our line to the point where a permanent stand was made by the corps.” The 110th OH “fell back slowly, making frequent stands, in order to check his advance as much as possible until we reached a point where a decisive stand could be made.” The 122 OH “formed…in line with the 1st Brigade behind the crest of the hill north of headquarters 3rd Division VI Corps, but immediately advanced to the crest of the hill, driving back the enemy who had followed us closely…meanwhile, another body of the enemy advance on the left and appeared on a ridge to our left and rear. Observing the remainder of the 2nd Brigade in good line, several hundred yards to the right and a little to the rear of our then position, we faced about, and marching to the left oblique, passed through a heave cross-fire…and rejoined the brigade.””
The VI established themselves in the First Position noted by Hotchkiss and shown on the adjacent maps and aerial photos. Keifer’s 3rd Division was the right side of the line (or the left as you look at the maps). In the First Position, Emerson’s brigade was the right, with Ball to his left and between them, from the 3rd’s Artillery brigade, was James McKnight’s 5th U.S. battery M. The 138th PA said that they got into position “with the 9th New York Artillery on the right and the 184th New York Infantry on the left” with the 184th NY being part of Emerson’s 1st Brigade. Ball said that he formed the 2nd Brigade in two lines: i) 9th NY, 138th PA, part of 67th PA; ii) 6th MD, 126th OH, 122 OH, 110th OH.
Kershaw attacked with the brigades of Goggin and Simms on the left and center, but Kiefer counterattacked and pushed them back across Meadow Brook, with Ball’s 6th Maryland and 126th Ohio pursuing them almost to the XIX camp.
The fighting regained intensity and VI needed to move slowly back to the Second Position. The 9th NY played a crucial role in this process, as reported by Synder:
“General Wright, commanding the army in the absence of General Sheridan, rode up and ordered me to advance and hold the crest. The command “Forward” was given. The men responded with a cheer, and advanced with enthusiasm under a galling fire in front and upon our flanks. The balance of the brigade having fallen back, and there being no connection on our right, our flank was left exposed to a severe cross-fire from the rebel columns, which had got almost in our rear. Captain Dudrow, on the brigade staff, rode up again and ordered me to fall back. I pointed him to General Wright, saying, ‘The general has ordered me to hold this crest, and I shall obey his orders.’ Our fire, in the meantime, being delivered with so much spirit, had checked the advance of the rebels, and gave the troops in our rear a chance to form a line. The line being formed we were ordered to fall back, and marching, by the rear rank at a left oblique we joined the First Division on our right. We then halted, faced to the front in a road or lane, and immediately moved by the left flank into a piece of woods about half a mile to the left. There we halted, faced to the front, and sent forward about about seventy men as skirmishers.”
Ball also described this moment:
“The brigade was then under severe fire from both infantry and artillery. Troops left the field on both my right and left until the brigade was without immediate support. At this critical period the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery behaved with coolness and gallantry. Under orders the troops moved back with great regularity a short distance to another elevation…“
VI Corps Second Position
As just described by Snyder and Ball, the VI formed into the Second Position on the Hotchkiss map, clearly in some woods, as Kershaw pushed up the hill. Keifer’s line was the same, except Emerson had Erasmus Van Etten’s 1st New York artillery on his right, and Ball had George Adam’s 1st Rhode Island artillery on his left. Kershaw attacked again, followed by another counterattack by Kiefer.
To establish the Second Position from the First, Shergur said “We continue to fall back slowly, fighting at every inch; the musketry fire now slackens, and we rectify our alignment and fall back in splendid order. The question is being constantly asked, “Why are we retreating?” We get no answer. We now reach the woods. Our ammunition is exhausted.”
Keifer described a similarly intense time – “The battle raged with great fury, the line slowly retiring in the main in good order from one position to another. My line was at no time driven from any position, but was withdrawn from one position to another under orders, and each time after the enemy had been repulsed in all attacks from the front.” Snyder said “Here we again opened fire upon the enemy, whose colors could be distinctly seen between us and our camp… At this point their fire was very severe, but we returned compliment for compliment in the shape of leaden bullets. The ground was literally covered with our dead and wounded, but we contested the ground, inch by inch, until an aide from the brigade commander ordered us to fall back below the crest of the hill, which we did in good order.“
Kershaw attacked again, and Emerson, on the far right, was flanked by Goggin and fell back. Emerson then sent the 10th Vermont and Ball sent the 6th Maryland to try to retake cannon overrun by Goggin. Intense hand-to-hand combat ensued, with Vermont suffering 40% casualties.
Keifer’s report describes this moment: “After over 100 artillery horses had been shot the enemy succeeded in capturing a portion of the guns, having approached under cover of the smoke and fog from the left, which was unprotected. A charge was ordered and the guns were retaken, three of which were drawn off by hand; others were left in consequence of being disabled, but were subsequently recaptured. The regiments principally engaged in this charge were the Tenth Vermont (of the First Brigade), commanded by Col. William W. Henry, and Sixth Maryland (of the Second Brigade), commanded by Capt. C.K. Prentiss. Great gallantry was displayed in this charge by officers and men. The rebels were fought hand to hand and driven from the guns.” The 6th MD described it more briefly – “we were again compelled to fall back some 400 yards. In doing so, two guns of Captain McKinght’s battery were abandoned and fell into the hands of the enemy. We again advanced and retook the abandoned guns.“
When Emerson pulled back, Ball’s right flank was now exposed to Goggin and Simms, Ball came under intense pressure. The Union kept falling back to the north, up the hill, reforming to fight, then retreating further. The 128th OH said their “regiment moved with the brigade and division to the left and into the woods…” The 122nd OH said “the brigade…moved under orders and with a steadiness to the rear and found a line formed along a lane and protected by hastily piled rails, and shortly before 9:00a.m. took position on the left of this line in a wood.” 138 PA gives the same timing “about 9 o’clock the whole line retired a distance of some three-quarters of a mile, when a respectable line was established behind a stone wall. We remained there about an hour, when the entire line fell back about a mile, just beyond Middletown. (i.e. to the Third Position)
VI Corps Third Position
Shown and described in the full Hotchkiss map, but not shown here, the Third Position was the final line well above Middletown before Sheridan lead the winning charge. It is likely that Willis was out of the battle by the Second Position. To establish the Third Position, the 128th OH “then moved in line of battle to the rear a short distance, then to the left…a line was established and strengthened by logs, rails, etc behind which we lay until about 3:30 when the line was ordered to advance.” The 122nd OH said “about 9:30am the whole line was marched near a mile to the rear, then to the right (that is, toward the turnpike)…taking position about 10:00 a.m. about one mile and a quarter north of Middletown. Here the 6th Maryland was on my left and the 9th New York Heavy on my right. No firing occurred on or from my line from about a quarter before 9:00a.m. until the general advance in the afternoon about 3:30.” Keifer describes it as well: “About 10 a. m. the troops reached a road that ran parallel to my line and at right angles to the turnpike and a short distance to the rear and right of Middletown. The troops had been withdrawn not to exceed one mile and a half from the position occupied in the morning. At this hour the enemy suspended further attacks, but concentrated a heavy artillery fire upon the troops. In retiring almost all the wounded of the division were brought off.”
Shooting of Willis Wolverton Grant
The first part of the battle of Cedar Creek occurred from approximately 5:00am to 9:00am. Because the afternoon charge was in a single direction, it seems likely that Willis was shot in the morning period. Since the 9th NY didn’t cross Meadow Brook on the initial foray, and were ordered to lie down until the Kershaw rebels were charging, Willis was likely shot between the establishment of the First Position and the establishment of the Second Position, as shown roughly in the shaded red area in the adjacent 3D map. Both positions contain descriptions of vicious moments that qualify for “height” of battle, and also include moments when Willis could be advancing, or pulling himself to the side where flanking rebels could have been in the bush (present back then) McKinley is referring to. His shooting was certainly within sight of current Veterans Road (Route 625) or McCune Road (Route 757), both of which can be experienced through Google street view for a sense of the fields.
Major James W. Snyder, commander of the 9th New York Heavy Artillery
Our regiment was aroused at daylight by musketry on the extreme left of our line and in front of the 8th Corps. Immediately ordered the men under arms. Lieutenant Wiley of Colonel Keifer’s staff, commanding 2d Brigade, rode up and ordered the regiment into line. We formed line in front of our camp, struck tents and slung knapsacks. The sick were sent to the rear, and, as the sailors would say, the “decks were cleared for action.” We immediately moved off by the right flank, by tile right, forming a line perpendicular to the first line and faced to the rear. At this time Colonel Keifer, commanding brigade, succeeded to the command of the 3rd Division, General Ricketts being wounded, and Colonel Ball took command of the brigade. I was then ordered to move the regiment by the left flank to the ground in front of our camp, and after halting a few minutes, I was ordered to countermarch by the left flank, and moved out and formed a line parallel and some 150 yards to the right and rear of our first line. From this position, we opened fire and held in check the rebels, who were advancing upon the knoll near the camp. At this time we were on the right of the brigade with no connection on our right, and after a few volleys we were ordered to fall back and take a position on a knoll some 200 yards to the rear of this line. Here we again opened fire upon the enemy, whose colors could be distinctly seen between us and our camp as we advanced. At this point their fire was very severe, but we returned compliment for compliment in the shape of leaden bullets. The ground was literally covered with our dead and wounded, but we contested the ground, inch by inch, until an aide from the brigade commander ordered us to fall back below the crest of the hill, which we did in good order. At this moment General Wright, commanding the army in the absence of General Sheridan, rode up and ordered me to advance and hold the crest. The command “Forward” was given. The men responded with a cheer, and advanced with enthusiasm under a galling fire in front and upon our flanks. The balance of the brigade having fallen back and there being no connection on our right, our flank was left exposed to severe cross-fire from the rebel columns, which had got almost to our rear.
Captain Dudrow, on the brigade staff, rode up again, and ordered me to fall back. I pointed him to General Wright, saying, “The general has ordered me to hold this crest, and I shall obey his orders.” Our fire, in the meantime, being delivered with so much spirit, had checked the advance of the rebels, and gave the troops in our rear a chance to form a line. The line being formed, we were ordered to fall back, and marching by the rear rank at a left oblique, we joined the 1st Division on our right. We then halted, faced to the front in a road or lane, and immediately moved by the left flank into a piece of woods about half a mile to the left. There we halted, faced to the front, and sent forward as skirmishers about seventy men under command of Lieutenants Flynn (Company K) and Parrish (Company M). Again under orders we fell back and marched by the right oblique nearly a mile when our brigade joined the 2d Division on our left. We then faced to the front and the whole line advanced, taking position about one mile and a quarter north of Middletown. There we threw together a breastwork of rails, which we occupied from 10:30 A. M. till 3:30 P. M., when the whole line was ordered to advance through a piece of woods, which we did in good order, the 122d Ohio being on our left. When we were nearly through the wood and about to emerge into an open field on our right, a heavy tire of musketry and shell was poured into us and caused our whole line to waver. At first a portion of our left fell back, but they were soon rallied and pushed forward and drove the rebels about three-quarters of a mile, until they, taking position behind a stone wall, disputed our advance for more than an hour. A portion of my command, having gained a stone wall running perpendicular to the wall behind which the enemy was posted, delivered an enfilading fire, which threw them into confusion and finally into a perfect rout. Their officers tried in vain to rally them, while my men, cheered with the prospect of victory, pressed on after the retreating foe, driving them down the ravine on the north side of the pike, and halted not till our colors were planted first upon the parapet of the rifle-pits in front of the 19th Corps.
Mention of individual bravery would be superfluous, for both officers and men did their duty.
Some 400 men, recruits, who were never under fire before — in fact never had arms in their hands except from Harper’s Ferry to this place — fought splendidly and behaved like veterans.
It is due to the memory of Lieutenant Orrin B. Carpenter, Company D, who was killed in the early part of the engagement, to say that although suffering long from fever, and but just able to walk, and having been repeatedly urged for weeks before to go to the hospital, invariably requested to remain with his company, and when the battle commenced was found in line with his men. He was shot through the heart by a rebel sharpshooter while doing his duty and now fills a patriot’s grave. Peace be to his ashes.
Lieutenant Oldswager, Company M, just promoted from the ranks, but three days before was killed by a cannon-ball when we advanced upon the crest. He was a noble and brave officer and never flinched from duty. Captain Howard. Company E, was instantly killed by a cannon-ball, the last shot that was fired from the rebel guns as we made the last advance near the Middletown and Strasburg pike, and when victory had crowned our efforts. He died as all brave soldiers die, with his face towards the enemy, and will long be remembered as one of America’s bravest sons.
A fellow soldier, from Company F, likely near Willis in Company G, also wrote a narrative that aligns with both Snyder and the after-action reports.
Charles L. Shergur, Company F, 9th New York Heavy Artillery
The morning of October 19th was cold and misty; the fog was so thick and impenetrable that we could not see across our camp to distinguish a man. Just at the break of day I was awakened by the firing of the 19th Corps and 8th Corps on our front and left. We were ordered to immediately “fall in” under arms, which we did. The regiment was formed in line; we were then ordered to “break ranks,” and go to our company streets and pack up-strike tents as soon as possible. We soon had all of our effects on our backs, and were in the ranks again. By this time the fire had become hot and rapid, the balls were whistling through our company and regiment. We faced to the right and marched by that flank to the rear, and filing to the right, halted and formed a line facing to the south. We were here but a moment; we again faced to the right and moved back to our first position, the double quick; halting here but a moment we were moved back again to the position we had just left; forming a line here we, being on an elevated piece of ground, were ordered to lie down and let the storm of lead and iron pass over us.
Now the battle begins to get interesting; the 19th and 8th Corps have broken and are flying across Cedar creek, seeking protection of the 6th Corps. The rebels follow with deafening cheers; already they have turned the guns which they have captured on to their former owners; they hurl their shot and shell with deadly effect into the flying columns of the 19th and 8th Corps. The rebels are frantic with delight at the success; but, alas! they come to Sheridan’s head quarters, and looking over on the hill they see the cross of the gallant 6th Corps; they did not expect this, but they now feel confident that even the iron courage of the 6th will not be able to stop them in their course of victory. They rush on after the corps just routed; they meet the 6th; our regiment is in the front line, and is the first to meet the foe. The order comes to “rise and fire. ” Like one man the whole line rises up and pours in its deadly fire, which stops the rebels and sends them staggering back to the stone wall and protecting hill. Our boys send up cheer after cheer, and keep up the most deadly fire ever poured into a foe.
But soon the order comes to “about face” and “retreat”; this order is obeyed very reluctantly, for the rebels are on our old camp-ground, and the boys feel enraged at their impudent trespass; but casting our eyes to the left, we see why we fall back; the rebels have flanked us on our left, and already they pour in a deadly cross- fire on our lines; our men are falling thick and fast on every side; we fall back to a knoll, and again halt and pour in our fire. Here our color bearer, Thomas Paden, of Company M, was shot and killed. Our colors fell to the ground stained by the blood of the brave color- bearer, but they hardly touched the ground before they were caught up by one of our Company F, and waved triumphantly in the face of the foe. Here my tent-mate, Wilmer Stout, was wounded. Firing three rounds after he was hit, he refused help to go to the rear, and hobbled off from the field alone; such is the material the 6th Corps is composed of; God bless them. Again the rebel flanks us on the left; again we are compelled to fall back slowly, fighting at every step, contesting every inch of ground. The enemy has got range of us now, and pours in such a hail of canister, shot and shell, the air is boiling and seething with bullets; solid shot tear through our ranks, and make fearful vacancies, which are quickly and steadily filled up. The men move as steadily as if they were on drill or parade, their comrades falling on every side; they heed it not, but stubbornly fight and repeatedly ask to charge the rebels. They do not know what defeat is; they do not know how to retreat. Here one of our boys, Anthony Riley, was shot and killed; his father was by his side; the blood and brains of his son covered the face and hands of the father. I never saw a more affecting sight than this; the poor old man kneels over the body of his dead son; his tears mingle with his son’s blood. O God! what a sight; he can stop but a moment, for the rebels are pressing us; he must leave his dying boy in the hands of the devilish foe; he bends over him, kisses his cheek, and with tearful eyes rushes to the fight, determined on revenge for his son.
We continue to fall back slowly, fighting at every inch; the musketry fire now slackens, and we rectify our alignment and fall back in splendid order. The question is being constantly asked, “Why are we retreating?” We get no answer. We now reach the woods. Our ammunition is exhausted, and has been for some time; we sent a detail for cartridges, and the company is on the skirmish line. We skirmish out and soon find the enemy. Our object accomplished, we return to the regiment, which has moved to the left quite a distance. I have omitted to say anything of our officers. During the whole engagement they behaved themselves with great courage and gallantry. I wish to speak especially of Captain Lamoreaux. No braver officer than he ever carried a sword, no kinder-hearted man than he can be found; during the whole fight he was at his post encouraging the boys; indeed, it seemed he had no fear, and fighting gave him pleasure. He was complimented on the field of battle by the adjutant general of General Wright’s staff. Such an officer deserves the respect and admiration of all his men, and our captain has all of that.
The musketry has now ceased, but the artillery fire is very brisk; the shell and canister are poured in very freely where we are forming. We now converted hastily a rail-fence into temporary breastworks; behind this we lay now, waiting the attack of the “Johnnies.” Here Lyman Coleman broke one of his false teeth. We had not long to wait here, for they soon charged at the right of our lines. Just at this time General Sheridan came up and rode along our lines; the tired and battle-worn soldiers greeted him with rousing cheers. He told us we would sleep that night in the same old camp- ground we left in the morning; that we would soon gain all that we had lost. This seemed to inspire every soldier with fresh courage, and all were anxious to charge the victorious rebels, and we had not long to wait, for the “Johnnies” came down on our right with their cat- like yells, that sounded more like demons than men. Our boys returned yell for yell, and greeted them with a deadly volley of musketry; in all my army experience I never before heard such firing; the earth shook and reeled; the forest trees trembled with the shock; no living man could stand such firing as this.
They were hurled back to their ranks bleeding and broken, and now comes the order to charge. Our captain said to me, “We are now going to charge. God only knows who will come out alive. “Forward!” he commands in loud tones. Up spring the boys, over the rail- piles we go; the cautionary command rings out, “Steady, men, steady.” Oh! what a sight to see these men press on in the face of death, nothing daunted. We get outside of the woods into the open field, the rebels pouring into our faces a deadly fire from behind the stone wall, which has a deadly effect on our ranks; but they close up and press on with cheers and shouts; we gain a hill in front of the enemy; here we halt and pour in our fire. Our company halts on a point of the hill, and of all the fires I was ever under, I think that was by far the hottest; the air boils and seethes with minie-balls and screeching shells and solid shot and deadly canister; all tear and plunge through our ranks. Our boys fall thick and fast; but look! the brigade is falling back; the brigade wavers; I hear the voice of the gallant old colonel from the tumult of the battle urging up them who are falling back. He says: “Will you leave those boys to face the foe alone? Back, you cowards. ” He succeeds in rallying them, and we again move forward. The rebels fight well, but we flank them, and they must give way. We gain a position behind a stone wall and give them a cross-fire; we fight hand to hand and man to man. Oh! these are dreadful moments. The rebels give way on the right; we capture the battery which has played such fearful havoc in our ranks; their whole line wavers; now they run. Hurrah for the Union! Hurrah for old Abe’s boys! Now begins one of the worst stampedes of the war. Talk about Bull Run; it is no comparison to Cedar Run. The rebs throw away everything that would impede flight and skedaddle for life. Our cavalry charge their flank; they fall into complete confusion, every man for himself. There is no rallying the gray-backed rebels of Jubal Early. How my heart leaps for joy to see the glorious stars and stripes following close on the heels of the flying rebels; the plain is dotted with flags, the air resounds with the shouts of the victorious “Yanks,” which sound the death-knell of the flying foe, which only stops and fires an occasional shot. The prisoners pour in by regiments; whole trains of wagons and artillery fall into our hands at once.
Darkness is now closing over the scene. O night, you came just in time to save the remnant of this once grand army. They make quick work in climbing Fisher’s hill; drivers abandon their teams, and all flee the wrath to come. Early says: “Take to the mountains;” and to the mountains they go, the worst whipped rebels the world ever saw. It is now dark. We are all ordered to our old camp; slowly we wind our way, stepping over the bodies of friends and foes. Now and then the groans of the dying and wounded break the stillness of the night; a gloom hangs over the field of battle; I come to the old camp; I come to the very ground where my tent stood in the morning, but I now miss my tent-mate and comrade. I feel lonesome, and utterly exhausted I lie down on the ground. Victory was on our banner, but our comrades living and dead mingle together on the ground. I was very tired. I hadn’t eaten anything all day, yet I could not sleep, nor could I eat; I could but mourn for my poor comrades, our shattered and bleeding regiment. Morning comes at last; the sun rises on a horrible scene; the dead cover the ground, the wounded have lain all night and are now dying slowly. I will here come to the conclusion. I forbear to bring up this scene again. Please excuse the poor way in which I have described this terrible battle. Let your prayers be for the speedy return of peace to this our distracted country.
U.S. Army After-Action Report – 9th New York Heavy Artillery, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Sixth Army Corps
HEADQUARTERS NINTH NEW YORK ARTILLERY,
October 26, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to report the following operations of the Ninth New York Artillery in the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864:
Our regiment was aroused at daylight by musketry on the extreme left of our line and in front of the Eighth Corps. I immediately ordered the men under arms. Lieutenant Wiley, of Colonel Keifer’s staff, commanding Second Brigade, rode up and ordered the regiment into line. We formed line in front of our camp, stacked arms, struck tents, and slung knapsacks. The sick were sent to the rear, and, as the sailor would say, the “decks were cleared for action.” We immediately moved off, by the right flank by file right, forming a line perpendicular to the first line, arid faced to the rear. At this time Colonel Keifer, commanding brigade, succeeded to the command of the Third Division, General Ricketts being wounded, and Colonel Ball took command of the brigade. I was then ordered to move the regiment by the left flank to the ground in front of our camp, and after halting a few minutes I was ordered to countermarch by the left flank, and moved out and formed a line parallel and Borne 100 yards to the right and rear of our first line. From this position we opened fire and held in check the rebels who were advancing upon the knoll near our camp. At this time we were on the right of the brigade, with no connection on our right, and after a few volleys we were ordered to fall back and take a position on a knoll some 20() yards to the rear of this line. Here we again opened fire upon the enemy, whose colors could be distinctly seen between us and our camp, as they advanced. At this point their fire was very severe, but we returned compliment for compliment in the shape of leaden bullets. The ground was literally covered with our killed and wounded, but we contested the ground inch by inch until an aide from the brigade commander ordered us to fall back below the crest of the hill, which we did in good order. At this moment General Wright, commanding the army in the absence of General Sheridan, rode up and ordered me to advance and hold the crest. The command ” forward” was given. The men responded with a cheer, and advanced with enthusiasm, under a galling fire in front and upon our flanks. The balance of the brigade having fallen back, and there being no connection on our right, our flank was left exposed to a severe cross-fire from the rebel columns, which had got almost in our rear.
Captain Dudrow, on the brigade staff, rode up again and ordered me to fall back. I pointed him to General Wright, saying, ” The general has ordered me to hold this crest, and I shall obey his orders.” Our fire, in the meantime, being delivered with so much spirit, had checked the advance of the rebels, and gave the troops in our rear a chance to form a line. The line being formed we were ordered to fall back, and marching, by the rear rank at a left oblique we joined the First Division on our right. We then halted, faced to the front in a road or lane, and immediately moved by the left flank into a piece of woods about half a mile to the left. There we halted, faced to the front, and sent forward about about seventy men as skirmishers under command of Lieutenants Flynn and Parrish. ‘gain, under orders, we fell back and marched by the right oblique nearly a mile, when our brigade joined the Second Division on our left. We then faced to the front and the whole line advanced, taking position about one mile and a quarter north of Middletown. There we threw together a breast-work of rails, which we occupied from 10.30 a. m. till 3.30 p. m., when the whole line was ordered to advance through a piece of woods, which we did in good order, the One hundred and twenty-second Ohio being on our left. When we were nearly through the wood and about to emerge into an open field on our right a heavy fire of musketry and shell was poured into us and caused our whole line to waver. At first a portion of our left fell back, but they were soon rallied, and pushed forward and drove the rebels about three-quarters of a mile, until they, taking position behind stone wall, disputed our advance for more than an hour. A portion of my command, having gained a stone wall running perpendicular to the wall behind which the enemy was posted, delivered an enfilading fire, which threw them into confusion and finally into a perfect rout. Their officers tried in vain to rally them, while my men, cheered with the prospect of victory, pressed on after the retreating foe, driving them down through the ravine on the north side of the pike, and halted of till our colors were planted first upon the parapet of the rifle-pits in front of the Nineteenth Corps.
Mention of individual bravery would seem superfluous, for both officers and men did their duty, with one exception, Lieut. Weston E. Allen, Company F, who, having claimed to have been wounded in the early part of the engagement, left his company and went to Winchester, here he was found two days after, not having reported to any surgeon or having any appearance of a wound upon his person.
Some 400 men, recruits, who were never under fire before—in fact ever had arms in their hands only from Harper’s Ferry to this place— right splendidly and behaved like veterans.
It is due to the memory of Lieut. Orrin B. Carpenter, Company D, who was killed in the early part of the engagement, to say that although offering long from fever, and but just able to walk, and having been repeatedly urged for weeks before to go to hospital, invariably requested to remain with his company, and when the battle commenced was found in line with his men. He was shot through the heart by a rebel sharpshooter while doing his duty, and now fills a patriot’s grave. Peace be to his ashes.
Lieutenant Oldswager, Company M, but just promoted from the ranks three days before, was killed by a cannon ball when we advanced upon the crest. He was a noble and brave officer, and never flinched from duty.
Captain Howard was instantly killed by a cannon ball, the last shot that was fired from the rebel guns as we made the last advance near the Middletown and Strasburg pike, and when victory had crowned our efforts He died as all brave soldiers die, with his face toward the enemy, and will long be remembered as one of America’s bravest sons. The corrected list of killed and wounded is as follows: Killed—officers, 3; enlisted men, 40; total, 43. Wounded—officers, 5; enlisted men, 160; total, 165.
I have the honor, sir, to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. W. SNYDER,
Major, Commanding Ninth New York Artillery.
Captain BRADSHAW,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
U.S. Army After-Action Report, Commander, 6th Maryland
Report of Maj. Joseph C. Hill, Sixth Maryland Infantry of operations October 19.
HDQRS. SIXTH REGIMENT MARYLAND VOLUNTEERS,
November 4,1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to transmit to you a detailed report of the operations of this command in the recent engagement at Cedar Creek , on the 19th of October, 1864.
Before daybreak the command was aroused by heavy firing on our left and without awaiting orders the command was soon under arms. It soon became evident that the enemy had surprised and completely routed the troops on our left. Orders came for us to fall in immediately, which order was promptly obeyed. We moved on by the right flank across the run, accompanied by the One hundred and twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteers. We began ascending the hill, but soon found that the troops on our right had been flanked and were falling back, which also compelled us to fall back across the run, which we did in good order, under a heavy fire from the enemy, to the point where our line first advanced from. Here we halted. The enemy still advancing, we were again compelled to fall back some 400 yards. In doing so, two guns of Captain McKnight’s battery were abandoned and fell into the hands of the enemy. We again advanced and retook the abandoned guns. The whole line then fell lock opposite Middletown and there formed line, my command being on the left of the brigade. We then moved to the left, and after being in line a short time we fell still farther back, again moving by the right flank, and formed a line one mile east of Middletown, connecting with the Second Division, Sixth Army Corps, on our left, where we remained until the order was given to advance, about 3 p. m., when the whole line advanced and drove the enemy from the field, my command following to Cedar Creek. Here we received orders to reoccupy our old camp for the night.
The command went into the engagement in the morning with 9 officers and 150 men, and sustained a loss during the day of 4 officers wounded, 8 enlisted men killed, 37 enlisted men wounded, and l enlisted man wounded and missing.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. HILL,
Major, Commanding Regiment.
Capt. JOHN J. BRADSHAW,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade.
U.S. Army After-Action Report, Commander, 126th Ohio
HEADQUARTERS 126TH OHIO VOLUNTEERS,
November 3, 1864.
CAPTAIN: In obedience to instructions received from headquarters of the brigade, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment ill the engagement of October 19 at this place:
At about daylight, the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps having been attacked by the enemy, the regiment, less two commissioned officers and 100 men then on picket duty, was ordered under arms at once, and after some maneuvering in changing and rechanging the line was ordered to advance. Under this order we crossed the creek near our present camp, and having advanced but a few yards beyond it, were ordered to fall back to the crest we had previously occupied. In this crossing and recrossing the stream, the regiment was thrown into considerable confusion, and order could not be restored until after passing the crest in our rear. Here the regiment engaged the advancing columns of the enemy, whose progress was sensibly checked at this point until tile gradual falling back of our line to the point where a permanent stand was made by the corps. From this place the regiment moved with the brigade and division to the left and into the woods, resting about an hour, then moved in line of battle to the rear a short distance, then to the left, and again to the front. Having advanced in line a short distance, a line was established and strengthened by logs, rails, &c., behind which we lay until about 3.30 o’clock, when the line was ordered to advance upon the enemy. In this advance the regiment formed the extreme right of the brigade and was increased by the officers and about twenty men of the picket guard. After considerable resistance, the enemy suddenly and unaccountably gave way and retreated precipitately and in confusion over the ground they had gained by our temporary reverse, and were followed by our line in as quick time as possible to the works occupied by the Eighth Corps in the morning. It being now dark, we returned to the position we occupied at the commencement of the battle, and having collected the dead and wounded, friend and foe, in our vicinity, went quietly into camp.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. W. HOGE,
Captain, 126th Ohio Volunteers, Commanding Regiment.
Capt. J. J. BRADSHAW,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. 2d Brig., 3d Div., 6th A. C.
U.S. Army After-Action Report, Commander, 110th Ohio
HEADQUARTERS, 110TH OHIO VOLUNTEERS,
Camp at Cedar Creek, Va., November 2, 1864.
CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders I have the honor to report the following part taken by the One hundred and tenth Regiment in the battle of Cedar Creek:
Just before daylight on the 19th of October firing was heard along our picket lines. By order of Colonel Keifer, the One hundred and tenth Regiment, with the balance of the brigade, was immediately put under arms and awaited orders. In about an hour’s time it was discovered that the enemy had succeeded in turning the left of the Eighth Corps, having taken it by surprise, and that the whole line, together with that of the Nineteenth Corps, was rapidly giving way. The Sixth Corps was ordered up to check the advancing foe, the Second Brigade forming the right of the line and the One hundred and tenth Regiment forming the extreme right of the brigade. We advanced to a stone wall, near corps headquarters, where we were met by a severe fire from the front and from the left flank. The destructiveness of the fire and the falling back of the broken lines in our front caused us to fall back a short distance and become temporarily detached from the brigade. The enemy continued to advance and the regiment, with others, fell back slowly, making frequent stands, in order to check his advance as much as possible, until we reached a point where a decisive stand could be made. We continued to move back in this manner for about a mile, when we rejoined the brigade and with it moved back to where the final stand was made. At about 3 p. m. the One hundred and tenth Regiment and a detachment of the One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, under my command, were deployed as skirmishers and advanced toward the edge of the woods, in which the Third Division was then lying. About 5 o’clock I received orders to advance the skirmish line, which I did, the lines of battle in rear advancing at the same time. After advancing about 400 yards the whole of both lines halted. Rapid firing was kept up for some time, when we again advanced across a corn-field, where the lines again halted and continued firing until the enemy gave way along the whole line. The One hundred and tenth, with the balance of the troops, followed the retreating and demoralized foe until we reached our old camp from which we had been driven in the morning.
In the operations of the day the regiment lost 5 enlisted men killed and 27 wounded.
During the early part of the engagement Capt. W. Devenney, while nobly discharging his duty, fell mortally wounded. Captain Shellenberger was slightly wounded late in the day.
Both officers and men behaved with marked coolness and bravery during the whole engagement. One of the enemy’s battle-flags fell into the hands of a member of Company K, but was afterward given up to an officer of a New York regiment in the Nineteenth Corps who claimed to have the first right to it.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant
H. BIXELEY,
Lieutenant-Colonel :110th Ohio Volunteers, Comdg Regiment.
CAPT. J. J. BBADSHAW,
Actg. Asst. Adgt. Gen., 2d Brig., 3d Div., 6th Army Corps.
U.S. Army After-Action Report, 122d Ohio
HEADQUARTERS, 122d OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
November 7, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the operations of this regiment in the battle of Cedar Creek, on the 19th of October, 1864:
I was aroused at daybreak on that morning by the sound of heavy musketry on the extreme left of the army, and at once ordered the regirnent under armss, formed line, stacked arms, caused the men to pack their tents and knapsacks, and sent the regimental pack animals to the rear and the headquarters tents, &c., to the brigade wagons. By the time this was done Colonel Ball, who had succeeded to the command of the brigade, moved his command by the right flank several hundred yards in the direction of Middletown, and then, by order, returned to camp. By this time the enemy had succeeded in driving the portion of our forces engaged to the west side of the turnpike, and bullets began to fall on our ground, and but a few moments had passed when we were again marched by the right flank toward Middletown. When just beyond Sixth Corps headquarters the brigade halted and faced to the right, bringing the rear rank in front, the One hundred and twenty-second being in the front line, with the One hundred and tenth on its right and the One hundred and twenty-sixth Ohio on its left. Being ordered to take the hill near General Sheridan’s headquarters, the line moved forward and my regiment crossed the- creek and began to ascend the opposite slope. A part of the Nineteenth Corps passing to the rear in a mass struck the right of my regiment and the left of the One hundred and tenth at the white house near General Wright’s headquarters, and the brigade became divided in two parts. The order for the advance was countermanded and I recrossed the creek, and, following the direction taken by the One hundred and twenty-sixth Ohio, formed on the right of that regiment in line with the First Brigade behind the crest of the hill north of headquarters Third Division, Sixth Corps, but immediately advanced to the crest of the hill, driving back the enemy who had followed us closely. He fell back in haste and disorder across the ravine and beyond the opposite hill, leaving several prisoners in our hands. Retaining for a time the position thus gained, and having no enemy on our front, we directed our fire with some effect upon a column of rebels then marching through our camp-ground in the direction of the extreme right. Meanwhile, another body of the enemy advanced on the left and appeared on a ridge to our left and rear. Observing the remainder of the Second Brigade in good line, several hundred yards to the right and a little to the rear of our then position, we faced about, and marching to the left oblique, passed through a heavy cross-fire, that occasioned many of the casualties hereinafter reported, and rejoined the brigade. The brigade then moved under orders and with steadiness to the rear and found a line formed along a lane and protected by hastily piled rails, and shortly before 9 a. m. took position on the left of this line in a wood
About 9.30 a. m. the whole line was marched near a mile to the rear, then to the right (that is, toward the turnpike), we being faced to the rear, forming a connection with the Second Division, Sixth Corps, and then to the front again, taking position about 10 a. m. about one mile and a quarter north of Middletown. Here the Sixth Maryland was on my left and the Ninth New York Heavy [Artillery! on my right. No firing occurred on or from my line from about a quarter before 9 a. m. until the general advance in the afternoon. About 3.30 the line advanced, but the guide being to the left, before the extreme right was felt by the enemy he had detected our movement and we received a heavy fire of both musketry and shell from a force posted in a wood on our right. Under this fire a portion of the troops on the right belonging, I suppose, to the First Division were somewhat disordered, being most exposed to the cross-fire, and part of the Second Division, on our left, began to move rapidly to the rear. This caused first, hesitation; next, a retrograde movement of our line; but order was almost immediately restored and the advance resumed. The enemy endeavored to hold fast to a stone fence on our front about three-quarters of a mile north of Middletown, and succeeded in delaying us for from twenty to thirty minutes, but advantage being taken of a transverse fence and a sudden and very heavy fire opened on him from the front and partially from the flank he fled with precipitation, and notwithstanding several efforts to reform his lines under cover of the well-directed fire of a battery placed near Middletown, he was carried steadily backward until nightfall found us on the bank of Cedar Creek with our foe fleeing in utter rout before our cavalry. Pursuant to orders, my regiment at once reoccupied its camp.
A leave of absence for Capt. Gilbert H. Bargar had arrived on the evening. of the 18th and was driven him on the morning of the 19th without my imagining he would leave the field, but he almost immediately, without my observing it, left his company and proceeded to Winchester. Before his leave expired an order honorably discharging him from the service on tender of his resignation was received, and I am unable to notice his conduct of the 19th ultimo save in this manner. With this exception, my officers and much the greater part of my men, both volunteers and drafted, behaved with gallantry, and well deserve their share of the thanks given by the President and the country for the glorious victory of that day.
I regret that I must report the death on the field of First Lieut. Thomas Kilburn, a most faithful officer, and the dangerous wounding of’ Second Lieut. Edward B. Hilliard. Major Cornyn and Lieutenants Power and Blondin were struck, but continued on duty.
The casualties of the regiment, as corrected to date, are: Killed and died of wounds-officers, 1; men, 3; total 4. Wounded-officers, 4; men, 31; total, 35. Missing-men, 6. Aggregate, 45.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MOSES M. GRANGER,
Lieutenant-Colonel. Commanding.
CAPT. J. J. BRADSHAW,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade.
U.S. Army After-Action Report, Commander, 67th Pennsylvania
HDQRS. SIXTY-SEVENTH REGT. PENNSYLVANIA VOLS.,
November 25, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following, in compliance with circular dated headquarters Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, November__, 1864, calling for a report of the part taken by my command in the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., on the 19th day of October, 1864:
The regiment on that day was encamped on a ridge near Cedar Creek, Va., and connected with the One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers on the right and a regiment of the Nineteenth Army Corps on the left. About daylight a heavy discharge of musketry was heard in the direction of that part of the line held by the Eighth Army Corps—the left. The regiment was immediately placed under arms. Orders to that effect were received soon after, and were followed by orders to pack up, the firing in the meantime continuing, only much nearer than when first heard and farther to the rear on the left flank of our lines. A dense fog prevailed, which lasted from daylight until about 10 a. m., rendering it impossible to see farther than a couple of hundred yards. About 6 a. m. the regiment, in pursuance of orders, moved by the right flank, following the One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers several hundred yards in the direction from which the firing proceeded, when it was ordered to right-about and return double quick to the ground originally occupied. This order had hardly been complied with when orders were again received to move in the same direction, as on the occasion first mentioned. After reaching a point several hundred yards in the rear of the house occupied by General Sheridan as his headquarters line of battle was formed, with the One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers on the right. It may be mentioned here that but little over one-half the regiment was present, a picket detail of 100 men, with the proper number of officers, having been taken from it the day before, which had not yet been relieved At this time the enemy was advancing in our front and on the left flank. The line of battle just alluded to had scarcely been formed when the troops immediately in front fell back through our ranks in considerable confusion, closely followed by the enemy. The regiment, however, maintained its line, though not without losing some men, who were carried back with the crowd which kept pouring to the rear, and shortly afterward, about 9 a. m., made an advance of about 200 yards beyond a ditch, from which it drove the enemy, capturing fourteen prisoners. It remained at this point about twenty minutes, when, finding itself unsupported either on the right or left, and that the enemy was rapidly turning the left flank of the army, it was obliged to fall back From this time until the line was reformed on a road about a mile in the rear of where it was originally formed the regiment fell back slowly rallying and firing as often as an attempt by any part of the line was allude to do so. The ground over which it fought was undulating in its character and entirely free from timber. It was about 12 m. when the line was reformed as just mentioned. The regiment joined the _____ Ohio on the right and the Sixth Maryland Volunteers on the left. Following the Sixth Maryland, it moved by the left flank about half a mile in the direction of the Winchester turnpike, when it halted in a piece of woodland and threw up temporary breast-works. It remained at this point about half an hour, when the whole brigade moved about three-quarters of a mile to the rear and took up another position. But a few minutes elapsed until the brigade was again in motion, and, moving by the left flank, it proceeded to a run within 200 or 300 yards of the Winchester turnpike. Line was then formed and an advance made of about one mile. At this point, where the line halted, breast works of logs and rails were hastily constructed, after which the troops enjoyed a rest of about two hours. About 3 p. m. a general advance began. By this time a large portion of the picket detail mentioned above had succeeded, after much difficulty, in joining the regiment. In the advance which then ensued half a mile, perhaps, had been passed over when the line was met by a heavy fire of musketry from the enemy, who was posted behind a breast-work of rails on the edge of the woods through which we were advancing. The fire was returned with great spirit, and the line was still moving forward when some troops on the left of the brigade (belonging, I believe, to the Eighth Army Corps) gave way in confusion, which led to the belief that our line was flanked, and caused it to fall back to the breast-works from which we started. The line was immediately reformed and the advance renewed; the enemy was driven from the position which he held, and the line took up a position behind a stone fence a short distance beyond. Here a halt of about half an hour occurred, during which time a brisk fire was kept up, which, as was subsequently discovered, inflicted upon the enemy a severe loss. At the expiration of the time named the line again moved forward, charging and driving the enemy in confusion from every position he attempted to hold, until it reached the works which the Nineteenth Army Corps had been compelled to abandon in the morning. The regiment in this advance kept to the right of Middletown until it had passed that place about 300 yards, when it crossed over to left side of the turnpike. Before reaching the group occupied by our troops in the morning it recrossed the pike, and as the cavalry had already taken up the pursuit of the flying enemy and night was at hand, it planted its colors on the breast-works last above named in advance of all others, and awaited orders. The loss of the regiment in this day’s battle was 3 killed, 26 wounded, and 1 missing.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN F. YOUNG
First Lieut. and Adjt., Comdg. Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Vols.
Capt. J. T. RORER,’
Actg.. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig.,.3d Div., 6th Army Corps.
U.S. Army After-Action Report, Commander, Battery M, 5th U.S. Field Artillery
CAMP OF BATTERY M, FIFTH U. S. ARTILLERY,
October 26, 1864
SIR: In accordance with orders, dated headquarters Artillery Brigade, Sixth Corps, October 22, 1864, I have the honor to report that the battery under my command went into position on the morning of the 19th instant fifty yards to the right and front of the battery camp. The fire of the battery was delayed fully ten minutes by the train of wagons passing to its front. This obstruction removed, it opened with spherical case at a range of 600 yards. Second Lieut. Frederick Robinson, in charge of left section, was wounded after the third discharge of his guns and left for the rear. The guidon bearer was also wounded at this time. The heavy fire to which the battery was subjected made it necessary to retire to another position All the guns were successfully drawn off with the exception of one, which was abandoned owing to the wounding of the sergeant, gunner, two cannoneers, and killing of lead driver and four horses. This gun was shortly after recaptured and drawn off by the infantry. The right and center sections were again placed in position, a short distance to the rear of the original line, under a heavy fire from the front and left flank. This line was untenable; the rapid wounding of men and horses required its abandonment. Second Lieut. Henry M. Baldwin was ordered to take charge of two guns, and Sergt. D. B. Yoder a third, each having but two horses left to the limbers for removal to the rear. Two of the three guns were successfully withdrawn; the third, owing to both of the horses being wounded, fell into the hands of the enemy. Second Lieut. H. M. Baldwin, the guidon bearer, and guidon were captured at the same time. Lieutenant Baldwin was wounded after his surrender of self and gun. The right gun of right section, under charge of Corpl. W. H.H. Kennedy, at same time acting as gunner, and right gun of center section, under charge of Sergt. Henry Beckhurdt, with Corpl. Charles A. Knorr as gunner, were brought into action for the third time, using canister with good effect. These two guns were the last to leave the field.
I would respectfully call the attention of the colonel commanding Artillery Brigade to the brave and gallant conduct of Second Lieut. H. M. Baldwin throughout the entire engagement; also to the cool bravery of Sergeant Beckhardt, Corpls. William H.H. Kennedy, Charles A. Knorr, in fighting their guns to the last moment up to threaten of capture; and to Sergt. Daniel B. Yoder in successfully saving his gun from capture.
The return of casualties, [not attached] material, and ammunition expended, also how lost, accompanies this report.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant
J. McKNIGHT
Captain, Fifth U.S. Artillery, Commanding Battery M.
Lieut. E. N. WHITTIER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Artillery Brigade, Sixth Corps.
U.S. Army After-Action Report, Commander, 138th Pennsylvania
HEADQUARTERS 138TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,
November 22, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the following operations of my command on the 19th day of October, 1864, at the battle of Cedar Creek, Va.:
While the troops were sleeping that memorable morning, and just before daylight, the enemy attacked the extreme left of our lines and became heavily engaged with Crook’s command on the front and flank The sound of cannon and musketry soon brought all hands to their posts, and in obedience to orders immediately afterward received from brigade headquarters the men were formed into line and arms stacked in readiness for any emergency; shortly after tents were struck and everything packed up by orders from the same authority. The regiment, after marching and countermarching with the division, finally got a position, with the Ninth New York Artillery on the right and the One hundred and eighty-fourth New York Infantry on the left. The stragglers and scattered remnants of Crook’s and some of Emory’s commands now came rushing through our lines, and the rebels became numerous in our front. The engagement with our lines opened sharply and an advance was made for a short distance, but the withdrawal of other portions of the line made it necessary for us to do likewise. About 9 o’clock the whole line retired a distance of some three-quarters of a mile, when a respectable line was established behind a stone wall. We remained there about an hour when the entire line fell back about a mile, just beyond Middletown. An advance was made a short distance and a new and tolerably strong line formed in a woods to the northwest of the town. Rail and other temporary works were thrown up by the troops, and this regiment, with the One hundred and tenth Ohio, was placed upon the picket-line, commanded by Lieut. Col. O. H. Binkley. The firing on the skirmish like was kept up briskly, with a few casualties as a consequence in my regiment. About3 p.m. our lines advanced and after the skirmish line had been passed both regiments were ordered to join the advancing column, which they did as speedily as possible. Our lines suffered a temporary check and we remained in one position about half an hour, when another general advance was made and the rebels were driven in confusion from our front. The pursuit was kept up until our old camping-grounds were reached, and afterward by the cavalry with glorious results.
My regiment sustained the following casualties in the day’s engagement: Commissioned officers wounded, 4; enlisted men killed, 2; enlisted men wounded, 36; total, 42.
First Lieut. J. A. Clump, acting assistant adjutant-general on the staff of the brigade commander, and Lieut. Samuel W. Cloward, Company C, were seriously wounded and have since died from their injuries. Both these officers are much lamented and their memory will be respected by the entire regiment.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEWIS A. MAY,
Major, Commanding Regiment
Capt. J. T. ROGER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt.Gen.,2d Brig., 3d Div., 6th Army Corps.
U.S. Army After Action Report – 2nd Brigade (incl. 9th NY Heavy Artillery), 3rd Division, Sixth Army Corps
Report of Col. William U. Ball, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations October 19.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., TIIIRD DIV., SIXTH ARMY CORPS,
October 20, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor of making the following report of the part taken by the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, in the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864:
The troops were aroused at dawn of day by musketry to our left. Shortly after the lines were formed the command of the brigade devolved upon myself, in consequence of changes resulting from the absence of General Sheridan. The brigade was formed in two lines- the first composed of the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania, and a portion of the Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania; the second embraced the Sixth Maryland, One hundred and twenty- sixth, One hundred and twenty-second, and One hundred and tenth Ohio; the regiments occupied positions from right to left as named. Before sunrise I received orders to move by the right flank toward the pike. After moving a short distance in that direction orders were received to return to the position from which we had just moved and await orders. Shortly thereafter I was ordered to move in the same manner and direction as before. The brigade moved to an elevation near and in rear of army headquarters, where it came under fire. The lines were faced by the rear rank; the second, now become the first moved forward to meet the advancing foe and hold a crest in front. The troops moved gallantly and drove back the advance of the enemy and became warmly engaged, capturing several prisoners. About this time a large number of the Nineteenth Army Corps passed through the line and broke its organization. The line could not be reformed at that place in consequence of numbers retreating over the ground. The greater part of the troops of that line collected and formed upon the remaining line. The brigade was then under severe fire from both infantry and artillery. Troops left the field on both my right and left until the brigade was without immediate support. At this critical period the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery behaved with coolness and gallantry. Under orders the troops moved back with great regularity a short distance to another elevation, where they were met by another order to retire to a road half a mile farther to the rear. At the road the position was occupied a few minutes, the troops of the Eighth Army Corps on my left. I was then ordered to move to the left. I did so, connecting with the left of the Eighth Army Corps. Having now no connection on my left, and being in a thick wood of oak and cedar, I directed Captain Prentiss, Sixth Maryland, to protect the left flank by skirmishers. The direction was promptly carried out.
After occupying this position some time I received orders to move to the rear. I did so, the troops of the Eighth Army Corps passing to my left, and took position a mile to the rear of that last occupied. Here we were ordered to move obliquely to the left and rear and connect with the right of the Second Division, Sixth Army Corps. We connected with the right of the Eighth Army Corps at a stone fence in a wood near the pike. Defensive works were hastily constructed of such material as could readily be had, and the troops, it being noon, rested some two hours or more. Lieutenant-Colonel Binkley, One hundred arid tenth Ohio, was ordered to deploy his regiment and One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania as skirmishers and advance to the front of the woods in which we were resting and observe the movements of the enemy. An hour after Colonel Brinkley notified me that the enemy were moving on the right of our line in force. An attack was made, but repulsed before extending to my brigade. The skirmishers were exposed to a more or less active fire of musketry. Artillery was also brought to bear on our skirmish line, but without effect. While we were in this position Major-General Sheridan rode along the line from left to right encouraging the men. He was greeted with most enthusiastic clatters by the troops. This was the first assurance the army had of his return. About 3 p. m. the whole army advanced in one line upon the enemy. Immediately before advancing the troops were withdrawn to the left, and my left connected with the Second Division, Sixth Army Corps, while my right connected with the First Brigade, Third Division. We advanced half a mile to the edge of the woods, when we were met by a well-directed fire from the right flank. This fire was returned with spirit some fifteen minutes, when the troops wavered and fell back a short distance in some disorder. The Second and Third Divisions gave way at the same time. The line was speedily reformed and moved forward and became engaged with the enemy again, each force occupying a stone wall. Advantage was taken of a wall or fence running perpendicular to and connecting with that occupied by the enemy. After the action had continued here about three-quarters of an hour a heavy volley was fired at the enemy from the transverse wall. A hurried and general retreat of the enemy immediately followed, and our troops eagerly followed, firing upon the retreating army as it ran, and giving no opportunity to the enemy to reform or make a stand.
Several efforts were made by the enemy during the pursuit to rally but the enthusiastic pursuit foiled all such efforts. Our troops were subject to artillery fire of solid shot, shell, and grape during the pursuit, and we reached the intrenchments of the Nineteenth Army Corps (which were captured in the morning) as the sun set. Here the pursuit by the infantry was discontinued. The first and second, and probably the third, colors planted on the recovered works of the Nineteenth Army Corps were of regiments composing this brigade.
Lieut. John A. Gump, of the One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers, acting assistant adjutant-general on brigade staff, fell mortally wounded early in the action. Lieutenant Gump was a gallant officer. Lieutenant Kuhn, Sixth Maryland, acting aide-de-camp on brigade staff, fell seriously, if not mortally, wounded in the afternoon. Second Lieutenant Wiley, One hundred and tenth Ohio, acting aide-de-camp on brigade staff, was captured by the enemy while returning from the ammunition train to his brigade. He was a gallant and daring officer. Through the entire day the conduct of Lieut. Jonathan T. Rorer, One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania, acting assistant inspector-general on brigade staff, was most gallant and efficient. All the staff’ officers of the brigade are entitled to commendation.
The following is a list of the casualties that occurred in the brigade during the action :
| Regiment | Killed | Wounded | Missing | Aggregrate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officers | Men | Officers | Men | Officers | Men | ||
126th Ohio Volunteers | 4 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 25 | |
110th Ohio Volunteers | 5 | 2 | 27 | 34 | |||
122d Ohio Volunteers | 1 | 3 | 4 | 31 | 6 | 45 | |
6th Maryland Volunteers | 8 | 4 | 38 | 1 | 51 | ||
138th Pennsylvania Volunteers | 2 | 4 | 36 | 42 | |||
9th New York Heavy Artillery | 40 | 5 | 160 | 208 | |||
67th Pennsylvania Volunteers | 3 | 26 | 1 | 30 | |||
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. H. BALL
Colonel 122d Ohio Vol. Infty., Temporarily Comdg. Second Brig.
Capt. A. J.SMITH,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Div., Sixth Corps.
U.S. Army After Action Report – 3rd Division, Sixth Army Corps
Report of Col. J. Warren Keifer, One hundred and tenth Ohio Infantry, commanding Third Division, of operations October 19.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., SIXTH ARMY CORPS
Camp before Petersburg, Va., December 15, 1864.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report, in compliance with orders, the movements and operations of the Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, at the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., on the 19th of October, 1864:
The Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, occupied a position in two lines on the left of the other two divisions of the corps, connecting on its left with the right of the Nineteenth Corps. The Nineteenth Corps was in the center of the army, the Eighth Corps, or Army of West Virginia, being upon the extreme left, the whole army facing Cedar Creek. The troops of the division were to the right of the turnpike about half a mile and not to exceed one mile and a half from Middletown. Marsh Run, which in places was difficult to cross, flowed through a ravine a very short distance in rear of the division and divided the main body of the troops of the Nineteenth from the Sixth Corps. The troops of the division consisted of two brigades, commanded previous to the 19th of October, 1864, First Brigade, by Col. William Emerson, One hundred and fifty-first New York Volunteers; Second Brigade, by myself, and the division by Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts. The First Brigade was located upon the right and Second Brigade upon the left of the division. The aggregate strength present for duty in line was 151 officers and 3,818 enlisted men. On the morning of October 19, at early daybreak, some firing was heard upon the right of the army and soon after rapid firing was heard in the direction of the extreme left of the army. Being in command of the Second Brigade at that time, it was immediately placed under arms, tents struck, and wagons packed, and preparations made for meeting any emergency. Immediately after the troops were formed in front of their camp, Capt. A. J. Smith, acting assistant adjutant-general, Third Division, with others of the division staff, reported to me with orders from General Rickets to assume command of the division, General Ricketts having assumed command of the corps, General Wright being in command of the army. I at once turned over the command of the Second Brigade to Col. William H. Ball, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, and assumed command of the division. The firing continued to grow more rapid upon the left of the army, and it soon became apparent that the enemy designed to bring on a general engagement. I received an order from General Ricketts to move the division to the the turnpike, and commenced the movement, but soon after received an order to reoccupy the late position and look out for the right, as the First and Second Divisions of the corps had been ordered from the right across the run to the turnpike and to the support of the left of the army. The firing continued to grow more rapid upon the left and extended to the rear, parallel with the turnpike and toward Middledown. The troops upon the left had fallen back from their position in disorder, and, with small bodies of cavalry, army wagons, pack animals, &c., had crossed Marsh Run and were rushing through the lines of troops; it was only by the greatest exertions of officers that the lines could be preserved. While moving the troops back to their late position orders were received to take the hills opposite the rear of the camps of the division. When this order was received the enemy had gained them and a portion of my command had opened fire upon him. Colonel Ball was ordered to take the position with his brigade. The rear line of the Second Brigade, faced by the rear rank, was ordered to charge the hills, and orders were given to the other troops of the division to follow in close support. The troops advanced in excellent order notwithstanding a heavy fire from the enemy, but just after the advance had crossed the stream the troops of the Nineteenth Corps broke in disorder and fell back along the stream and in such numbers as to impede the farther progress of the movement and temporarily throw the advance line into some confusion. Fearing the danger of getting my command into disorder, and at the same time ascertaining that the enemy had turned the left of the army and were already advancing and threatening the rear, the troops were withdrawn from the charge and a rapid fire opened upon the enemy; which stopped his farther progress in my front. So great were the number of broken troops of the other corps that for a time the lines had to be opened at intervals in order to allow them to pass to the rear. In consequence of the necessary movements of the morning the divisions of the Sixth Corps were separated and were obliged to fight independent of each other. The Third Division, having faced about, became the extreme right of the army. A number of guns belonging to the Sixth Corps were posted upon the hills on my left. These guns, under the command of Captains Backlight and Adams, and under the direction of Colonel Tompkins, chief of artillery of the Sixth Corps, were admirably handled and rapidly fired, although under a heavy and close musketry fire of the enemy. After over 100 artillery horses had been shot the enemy succeeded in capturing a portion of the guns, having approached under cover of the smoke and fog from the left, which was unprotected. A charge was ordered and the guns were retaken, three of which were drawn off by hand; others were left in consequence of being disabled, but were subsequently recaptured. The regiments principally engaged in this charge were the Tenth Vermont (of the First Brigade), commanded by Col. William W. Henry, and Sixth Maryland (of the Second Brigade), commanded by Capt. C.K. Prentiss. Great gallantry was displayed in this charge by officers and men. The rebels were fought hand to hand and driven from the guns. A position was taken upon the crest of a ridge facing the enemy, who by this time had thrown a force across Marsh Run, near its mouth, and were advancing along Cedar Creek upon my right. The right of the Third Division was extended to near Cedar Creek, and the left rested a short distance from Marsh Run. A heavy fire was kept up for a considerable period of time, and the enemy were twice driven back, with heavy loss. Orders were received from Major-General Wright in person to charge forward and drive the enemy, and the movement was commenced, and in consequence of the disorder into which the enemy had previously been thrown the movement bid fair to be a success; but, owing to the enemy’s appearance in heavy force upon the left flank of the division, the charge was soon suspended and the troops withdrawn slowly to a new position. The battle raged with great fury, the line slowly retiring in the main in good order from one position to another. My line was at no time driven from any position, but was withdrawn from one position to another under orders, and each time after the enemy had been repulsed in all attacks from the front. About 10 a. m. the troops reached a road that ran parallel to my line and at right angles to the turnpike and a short distance to the rear and right of Middletown. The troops had been withdrawn not to exceed one mile and a half from the position occupied in the morning. At this hour the enemy suspended further attacks, but concentrated a heavy artillery fire upon the troops. In retiring almost all the wounded of the division were brought off, and but few prisoners were lost. From this position the division was moved, under orders, to the left and formed connection with the Second Division. Sixth Corps.
After General Ricketts was wounded Brig. Gen. G. W. Getty assumed command of the corps, from whom I received orders. The First Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. Frank Wheaton, was formed upon my right. Many of the troops thrown into disorder early in the engagement were reformed and brought into line; those of the Nineteenth Corps were formed upon the right of the briny. It was known about 10.30 a. m. that Major-General Sheridan had arrived upon the field and had assumed command of the army. Major-General Wright resumed command of the Sixth Army Corps. Unfortunately, Colonel Emerson, commanding the First Brigade, failed to keep connection with the Second Brigade of the division during a march to the rear, in consequence of which sorne delay took place in getting into proper position. As soon as a position was taken up a heavy line of’ skirmishers was ordered forward from the Second Brigade to cover the front of the division. Colonel Ball, comrnanding Second Brigade, accordingly ordered forward the One hundred and tenth Ohio and One hundred and thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Lieut. Col. Otho H. Binkley. They took up a position about 300 yards to the front, and along the outskirts of the woods. Desultory firing and skirmishing were kept up.
The enemy about 1 p. m. attempted another advance, and after a brisk fight with the skirmishers caused them to fall back to the main line. The attack was then immediately repulsed, and the skirmishers retook their former position. A small detachment of the Army of West Virginia, under the command of Col. R. B. Hayes, of the Twenty-third Ohio, was formed upon the left of the Third Division and connected with the right of the Second Division, Sixth Army Corps, the left of which rested upon the Valley turnpike, about one mile in rear of Middletown. The troops remained in position until 3.15 p. m., when a general advance was made, the order to do so having been received by note from Major-General Wright. Immediately after the advance commenced the troops of the Army of West Virginia were withdrawn from the line, leaving a short interval between the left of my line and that of General G. W. Getty, commanding Second Division. In accordance with instructions from Major-General Wright my line was ordered to dress to the left in the general advance and close up all intervals. Specific instructions were given by me to brigade commanders to dress their troops to the left in the advance, leave no intervals, and to be careful to avoid dressing them too rapidly and closely. The troops were in one line of battle and without reserves. When the advance commenced the division moved forward in splendid style and very rapidly It soon encountered the enemy in great strength and well posted. The enemy opened a deadly fire with artillery and musketry upon the troops, but for a. time they continued the advance, although suffering heavy losses. The order to avoid massing the troops in the advance was not complied with by the First Brigade, the troops of which, after coming under fire, dressed hastily, and in some confusion, o left end soon became massed behind and merged into troops of Second Brigade. In addition to the confusion that necessarily ensued the right was left unprotected. The greater portion of’ the division, after returning the enemy’s fire vigorously for a short time, temporarily gave way. To the failure to keep the troops properly dressed and to the fact that the Third Division moved forward too rapidly and in advance of the troops upon its right I mainly attribute the failure to succeed in this advance. The troops upon my left also temporarily gave way. The division lost very heavily in this attack. Not to exceed five minutes elapsed before the troops had been halted and were again charged forward. The enemy this time gave way and were forced back several hundred yards, when he again took up a position behind a stone fence upon the face of a hill sloping toward my troops. The division charged forward to a stone fence which was parallel to the enemy’s position and about 200 yards distant therefrom. An open field lay between the opposing troops. A stone wall extended at right angles from the right of my line to the left of the enemy’s. A sharp and fierce musketry fire was kept up between the contending forces for about three quarters of an hour. Orders were received from Major-General Wright in person to charge the enemy’s position. Preparatory to giving the order for the division to charge I ordered Colonel Emerson to send a competent staff officer with volunteer soldiers along and under cover of the stone wall upon the right of the line, with orders to throw themselves upon the enemy’s left and open an enfilading fire upon him. This order was immediately carried out and had the desired effect. Capt. H. W. Day, One hundred and sixth New York Volunteers, and brigade inspector of the First Brigade, was charged with the execution of the order. His gallant conduct on that occasion was highly meritorious, and for which he deserves promotion. Lieut. Col. M. M. Granger, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio Volunteers, volunteered to assist in this strategic movement. As soon as troops could reach the flank of the enemy the troops of the division poured a destructive fire upon the enemy and at once charged across the open ground, driving him in utter rout from his position. A considerable number of prisoners were taken in this charge, also small-arms and two battle-flags. Leander McClurg, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, captured the battle-flag of what he supposed to have been the Forty-fourth (rebel) Virginia Regiment, which he was forced to give up to a staff officer, not since recognized by him. Corpl. Daniel P. Rleigle, [Awarded a Medal of Honor] Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania, captured a battle-flag from a color bearer of the enemy. The enemy retreated precipitately, throwing away guns, accouterments, &c., in their flight. He was closely pursued by the infantry to and across Cedar Creek. His columns were completely routed, disorganized, and demoralized. Troops of this division were the first to plant colors upon the works along Cedar Creek, which had been abandoned by the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps in the morning. The cavalry of the army was hurled upon the broken and flying troops of the enemy after he had crossed Cedar Creek. Night came on and the infantry gave up the pursuit. The abandoned and disabled guns and caissons of the corps were retaken upon the ground upon which they had been left in the morning.
The cavalry, in its playsuit of the enemy, captured many of the substantial fruits of the great victory which had been so richly earned by the hard fighting of the infantry soldiers. The loss in killed and wounded of the cavalry, compared to that in the infantry, was light, which of itself proves upon whom the burden of the battle rested and was borne.
At dark the troops, under orders, went into their respective camps, from which they had been called up in the morning. Many officers and soldiers spent the night in ministering to their wounded and dying comrades. Instances were not a few where the miscreant enemy had stripped the persons of our wounded of clothing, and left them without covering upon the ground. The bodies of the dead were generally robbed of all clothing and effects. It may be said, however, that many of the bodies of the enemy’s dead had been robbed and stripped by their own troops. A rebel officer was killed, upon whose body was found clothing and other private effects of Capt. E. M. Ruhl, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania, who was mortally wounded in the morning.
Considering the unfortunate circumstances under which the battle commenced in the morning, and its long and sanguinary character, too much praise cannot be given to officers and soldiers. Col. William H. Ball, commanding Second Brigade, showed superior judgment, coolness, skill, and gallantry. Col. William W. Henry, Tenth Vermont, Lieut. Cols. M. M. Granger, One hundred and twenty-second, and Otho H. Binkley, One hundred and tenth Ohio, James W. Snyder, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and Majs. William D. Ferguson, One hundred and eighty-fourth New York, Charles Burgess, Ninth New York Hleavy Artillery, Charles M. Cornyn, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, and Aaron Spangler, One hundred and tenth Ohio, together with many others, were particularly efficient in the discharge of their important duties.
It is impossible to mention names of the many who displayed acts of distinguished gallantry. The Ninth New York Heavy Artillery and a battalion of the One hundred and eighty-fourth New York Volunteers, commanded, respectively, by Maj. (now Lieut. Col.) James W. Snyder and Maj. W. D. Ferguson, for their noble behavior deserve to be specially mentioned. The former regiment had several hundred recruits and conscripts who had just entered the service. The battalion of the One hundred and eighty-fourth New York had never before been engaged.
It is painful to mention the bad conduct of Lieut. Col. Charles G. Chandler, Tenth Vermont, Maj. G. W. Voorhes, One hundred and twenty-sixth Ohio, and Gilbert H. Bargar, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio Volunteers. These officers shamefully deserted their comrades in arms, and went to the rear without authority or good cause. Captain Bargar had just received a leave of absence. He abandoned his company while it was in actual combat with the enemy, and under his leave of absence attempted to shield himself from shame and disgrace.
Staff officers of brigades were very efficient in the performance of their duties. Lieuts. John A. Gump, acting assistant adjutant-general, J. T. Rorer (now Capt.), brigade inspector, R. W. Wiley, acting aide-de-camp, Second Brigade, and Capts.Charles H. Leonard, assistant adjutant-general, H. W. Day, brigade inspector, First Brigade, are among the most conspicuous. Lieutenant Gump was mortally wounded and has since died.
Capts. Edgar M.Buhl, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania, L. D. Thompson, Tenth Vermont, and Orson Howard, Ninth New York Wavy Artillery; also Lieuts. W. B. Ross, Fourteenth New Jersey, Augustus Phillips, one hundred and eighty-fourth New York, Orrin B. Carpenter and John Oldswager, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and Thomas Kilburn, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, were killed while valiantly discharging their duties. Capt. Wesley Devenney, One hundred and tenth Ohio, and others of the division, have since died of’ their wounds.
Lieut. R. W. Wiley, acting aide-de-camp on Second Brigade staff, was the only officer captured in the division; he, mistaking the location of troops, rode into the enemy’s lines.
Of the good conduct of the division staff I cannot speak in too high terms. Capt. Andrew J. Smith, acting assistant adjutant-general, throughout the whole action displayed great bravery, skill, and judgement. Capt. Osgood V. Tracy, division inspector, Capt. George B. Damon, judge-advocate of division, Capt. Anson S. Wood, chief of pioneers, each carried orders faithfully and gallantly in the thickest of the battle. Each member of the division staff was especially efficient and active in preserving lines, keeping up and urging on the troops. Capt. George J. Oakes, acting ordnance officer of the division, deserves much credit for his energy and efficiency in supplying the troops with ammunition.
Robert Barr, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, chief surgeon of division, W. A. Child, Tenth Vermont, and William M. Houston, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, chief surgeons of brigades, with the other medical officers of the division, deserve high commendation for their great skill and energy in taking care of and ministering to the many wounded
Forty-three officers and 632 enlisted men were killed and wounded in the division.
A summary of casualties by brigades is hereto appended.
Copies of brigade and regimental reports are herewith transmitted.
I am, major, with high esteem, your most obedient and humble servant
J. WARREN KEIFER,
Colonel 110th Ohio Volunteers, Bvt. Brigadier-General, Comdq.
Maj. C. A. WHITTIER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-general, Sixth Army Corps.
Summary of casualties by brigades in Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, at the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., on the l9th day of October, 1864.
| Brigade | Killed | Wounded | Missing | Total | Aggregrate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officers | Men | Officers | Men | Officers | Men | Officers | Men | ||
| First Brigade | 4 | 34 | 15 | 19 | 224 | 243 | |||
| Second Brigade | 4 | 60 | 19 | 1 | 18 | 24 | 389 | 413 | |
| Total | 8 | 94 | 34 | 501 | 1 | 18 | 43 | 613 | 656 |
U.S. Army After Action Report – Sixth Army Corps
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE GULF,
Galveston, Tex., November 27, 1865
GENERAL: I have the honor to present the following report of the part taken by the Sixth Corps in the battle of Cedar Creek on the 19th of October, 1864, premising that as all the records of the corps we turned in to the office of the Adjutant-General of the Army on the discontinuance of the corps in June last, I am unable to refer to any of the sub-reports so as to transmit them herewith.
As I was the ranking officer of the forces, in the absence of, Major General Sheridan, when the battle began, it will be necessary to a clear narrative of the events of the day to commence on the evening of the 18th. About 9 o’clock of that evening I was called upon by Major General Crook, commanding the Army of West Virginia, who reported that the reconnaissance of a brigade sent out by him that day to ascertain the position of the enemy had returned to camp and reported that nothing was to be found in his old camp and that he had doubtless retreated up the Valley. It should be borne in mind that the destruction of all supplies by our forces between our position at Cedar Creek and Staunton had made it necessary for the enemy to supply his force from the latter place by wagons, and consequently we had been expecting for some days that he would either attack us or be compelled to fall back for the supplies, which it was believed he could not transport in sufficient quantity by his trains. This view of the matter, which is still believed to have been sound, lent the stamp of probability to the report of the reconnoitering party, but anxious to place the truth of the report beyond a doubt, I at once ordered two reconnaissances to start at the first dawn of the morning, one of a brigade of infantry to move out upon and follow the general direction of the pike leading up the valley, the other, also a brigade, to take the Back road some three miles to the westward and nearly parallel to the former, with instructions to move forward till the enemy was found and strongly felt, so as to clearly ascertain his intentions. The first party was to be drawn from the Nineteenth Corps, the other from the cavalry. At the first blush of dawn the camps were assaulted by a considerable musketry fire upon our extreme left and a fire of a much slighter character upon our right. A moment’s hesitation convinced me that the former was the real attack, and I at once proceeded to that point, the firing meanwhile growing heavier. Becoming assured that I was not mistaken as to which was the attack to be resisted in force, I sent back orders to Brevet Major-General Ricketts, commanding the Sixth Corps in my absence, to send me two divisions of his command at once, and taking the brigade of the Nineteenth Corps (before alluded [to] as ordered on the reconnaissance and which was just starting) I proceeded to place it and the troops of General Crook’s second line in position on a ridge to the eastward of and nearly parallel to the pike, connecting them with the left of the Nineteenth Corps. As the two divisions of the Sixth Corps, ordered from the right of the line to the left, could reach that point within twenty minutes of the time that the line referred to was formed, and as the position taken up was a satisfactory one, there was, in my judgment, no occasion for apprehension as to the result, and I felt every confidence that the enemy would be promptly repulsed. In this anticipation, however, I was sadly disappointed Influenced by a panic which often seizes the best troops, and some of these I had seen behave admirably under the hottest fire, the line broke before the enemy fairly came in sight, and under a slight scattering fire retreated in disorder down the pike. Seeing that no part of the original line could be held, as the enemy was already on the left flank of the Nineteenth Corps, I at once sent orders to the Sixth Corps to fall back to some tenable position in rear; and to General Emory, commanding the Nineteenth Corps, that as his left was turned be should fall back and take position on the right of the Sixth. I should, perhaps, have stated that upon the original line the forces from left to right were posted in the order of, first, the Army of West Virginia, Major-General Crook commanding; second, the Nineteenth Corps, Brevet Major-General Emory commanding; third, the Sixth Corps, commanded by myself, and in my absence by Brevet Major-General Ricketts. The cavalry, under the command of Brevet Major-General Torbert, was disposed upon the two flanks. The first lines of the Army of West Virginia and the Nineteenth Corps were intrenched, but the Sixth Corps was not, as its naturally strong position rendered any defenses unnecessary. Indeed, the latter was held with a view to its acting rather as a movable force than as a part of the line.
Returning from this digression and resuming the narrative, the Sixth Corps, of which two divisions were on the march to the support of the left, at once moved to the rear on receiving instructions to that effect, as did the Nineteenth Corps, which had been slightly engaged with a portion of the rebel force, which had evidently attacked by way of a diversion. About this time General Ricketts was seriously wounded and the command of the Sixth Corps devolved upon Brevet Major-General Getty, who moved steadily to the rear, and by well timed attacks did much toward checking the enemy’s advance, giving time thereby for the change of front which was necessary and for taking up the new position. A portion of the First Division, under Generals Wheaton and Mackenzie, and a part of the artillery of the corps, also behaved admirably in checking the enemy and giving time for the rest of the troops to take position. Several pieces of the artillery were lost here, it being impossible to bring off the guns, owing to their horses being killed. Meanwhile the Second Division had taken up the position indicated, with its left resting on the pike. The Third and First were forming on its right, while on the right of the Sixth Corps the Nineteenth was being formed. One or two not very persistent attacks had been repulsed. About this time Major-General Sheridan came up and assumed command and I returned to the command of the Sixth Corps. Soon after the lines had been fully formed the enemy made a sharp attack upon the Sixth Corps, but was rudely repulsed, falling back several hundred yards to a stone wall behind which a part of his line took shelter. The position of the troops at this time from left to right was, first, the Second, Third, and First Divisions of the Sixth Corps; second, the Nineteenth Corps, the cavalry being on both flanks. Everything having been prepared and the men somewhat rested from the fatigue of the morning, an advance was ordered by General Sheridan of the entire line. The Second and First Divisions moved forward steadily, but the Third was for a time seriously checked by the fire from behind the stone wall before alluded to. A movement made by the Nineteenth Corps toward flanking this wall (in which a regiment of the Third Division, Sixth Corps, detached for the purpose, took part) shook the enemy, and a gallant charge of the line started him into full flight, pursued by our victorious forces. But little further resistance was experienced in the advance to Cedar Creek, where our infantry was halted in its old camp, while the pursuit was continued by the cavalry. The enemy being entirely demoralized and his ranks completely broken, he retreated without regard to order. The battle, which in its earlier stages looked anything but favorable for our success and occasioned a fear of defeat to many a brave hearted soldier, resulted through the admirable courage of our troops, the bravery and good conduct of their officers and the persistence of the commander of the army, in a complete victory.
It may be proper that I should say something in the way of explanation of the causes of the comparatively easy success of the enemy in the early part of the action. To the professional soldier it will be a subject of interest, even if it is lost to others, now that the war is over and this battle is partially forgotten with the many other as hard fought fields, yet in justice to those engaged it may be well to explain some points of which many are of course ignorant. I have already referred to the reported result of the reconnaissance of the preceding day, which was to the effect that the enemy had retreated up the valley. That this was not true is now well known, but how the mistake was made is not easily explained. Probably the force had not advanced so far as it supposed, and had not really reached the enemy’s lines, which were some miles in advance of ours. However this may be, I have no question that the belief in the retreat of the enemy was generally entertained throughout the reconnoitering force. Again this force, which, as before remarked, was from the Army of West Virginia, returned to camp through its own lines and must have made known to the troops its received belief in the enemy’s retreat. Now it happens that the advance of the enemy was made upon this part of the line. The surprise was complete, for the pickets did not fire a shot, and the first indication of the enemy’s presence was a volley into the main line where the men of a part of the regiments were at reveille roll-call without arms. As the entire picket-line over that part crossed by the enemy was captured without a shot being fired, no explanation could be obtained from any of the men composing it, but it is fair to suppose that they were lulled into an unusual security by the report of the previous evening that the enemy had fallen back and that there was consequently no danger to be apprehended. This supposition seems to me likely enough. It certainly goes far toward explaining how an enemy in force passed and captured a strong and well connected picket-line of old soldiers without occasioning alarm, and gave as a first warning of its presence a volley of musketry into the main line of unarmed soldiers. It was reported in camp that he first relieved a part of our lines by his own men dressed in our uniform, but I have never been able to confirm this rumor.
The proceedings up to this point were bad enough for us, as it gave the enemy, almost without a struggle, the entire left of our line with considerable artillery, not a gun of which had fired a shot. But the reserve of this line was posted a considerable distance hill its rear, where it could be made available as a movable force, and was well situated to operate upon any force attempting to turn our left. It was in no way involved in the disaster of the first line, which was, after all, but a small part of our whole force, being only one weak division, and its loss was in no wise to be taken as deciding the fate of the day. With the other troops brought up, this supporting division was in good position to offer sturdy battle, with every prospect of repulsing the enemy, and aided, as it soon would have been, by the rest of the force, the chances were largely in our favor. Here the battle should have been fought and won, and long before midday the discomfited enemy should have been driven across Cedar Creek stripped of all the captures of his first attack, but from some unexplainable cause the troops forming this part of the line would not stand but broke under a scattering fire, which should not have occasioned the slightest apprehension in raw recruits much less in old soldiers like themselves. Most officers who have served through this war have had instances of the same kind in their own experience, and will therefore readily understand this, though they may find themselves as much at a loss for a satisfactory explanation of its cause. It was the breaking of this line which involved the necessity of falling back. A change of front was necessary, and this must be made to a position which would place our force between the enemy and our base. That there was no intention of retreating file soldiers who stood fire clearly understood, and when once brought into the new position in the face of the enemy they were ready to advance upon him, as was shown by their magnificent attack when ordered forward.
To the Sixth Corps, which it is my honor to command after the death of that noble soldier Sedgwick, to its officers and its men, I desire to acknowledge the obligation which, in addition to the many others it has imposed, it laid upon the country by its steadiness, courage, and discipline in this important battle. Without disparagement to the soldierly qualities of other organizations concerned, it is but just to claim a large share in the successes of the day. Being from the nature of the attack upon our lines somewhat in the position of a reserve force and therefore fairly to be called upon to turn the tide of unsuccessful battle, it came up nobly to its duty, fully sustaining its former well earned laurels.
To the commanders, one and all, the full need of thanks is due. That they bore themselves bravely is evidenced by the fact that of the general officers one was killed, five more or less seriously wounded, and all lost their horses from the enemy’s bullets, while the list of casualties will show that their subordinates were in no degree behind them in gallantry and devotion to duty. In one division there was but one field officer for duty when the battle was over.
Where all did so well, it may seem invidious to attempt to discriminate, but I desire to call attention to the division commanders to whom so much of the success of the day was due. Brevet Major-General Ricketts was severely wounded early in the action. Brevet Major-General Getty, subsequently in command of the corps till it was resumed by me after the arrival of Major-General Sheridan, stoutly contested the enemy’s advance and gave time thereby for the necessary formations. Brevet Major-General Wheaton, who conducted himself gallantly, and Brigadier-General Keifer, who was in command of the Third Division during the entire day, General Ricketts being first in command of the corps and subsequently taken wounded from the field.
To my own staff also I was as usual under great obligations for important services rendered, often in circumstances of the greatest danger. Their names have already been submitted to the War Department and their merits acknowledged by the Government.
Respectfully submitted.
H.G. WRIGHT,
Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding Sixth Corps.
Bvt. Brig. Gen. G. A. FORSYTH,
Chief of Staff, &c.
The New York Times
THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK,
A Detailed Account of Operations During the Day – The Surprise – How it Occurred – The Skedaddle – Check – Panic Among the Non-Combatants – Arrival of Major Gen. Sheriden – The Effect Upon the Troops – The Final Success
STRASBURGH, Thursday, Oct. 20, 1864.
The battle of Cedar Run, on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1864, will be recorded in history as one of the most remarkable that has thus far taken place in this rebellion. My dispatch during the action, and letter forwarded just after nightfall, necessarily not only contained many inaccuracies as to facts, but were imperfect in other respects.
[The letter of our Special Correspondent with Gen. SHERIDAN’s army has been delayed for several days in transmission, but it will be found interesting as a graphic account of the great victory in the Valley.]
As I had unusual opportunities afforded me for witnessing the contest at different points, I therefore shall attempt a record of the whole scene, giving such additional particulars as may be recalled at this more peaceful hour, and such as haye been communicated to me by others whose statements I deem reliable.
The enemy, reinforced by a portion of LONGSTREET’s command, it was believed for several days previous to the 19th, that they were preparing to make a desperate attempt to crush the army of the Middle Military Division under the command of Maj.-Gen. SHERIDAN; indeed positive orders had been issued by JEFF. DAVIS to EARLY, that the Union army in the valley of Virginia must be crushed at all hazards — else the rebellion was a failure. Extensive preparations had been made to meet this terrible onslaught by the construction of earthworks at every practicable point, with the same obstructions in front; pickets were strengthened and frequent reconnaissances were made. Our line practically extended from the Little North Mountain on the right, near Snyder’s Gap, southeasterly to near Front Royal, thus following the general direction and course of Cedar Creek, and protecting every avenue of approach on front or flanks. At several points the enemy “felt” our lines on the mornings of the 17th and 18th, and in one instance captured or dispersed, on the right, a squad of twenty of the First Connecticut Cavalry, under Maj. MARCY, a majority of whom subsequently escaped, and returned to camp. At about 2 o’clock A.M. Wednesday morning, the 19th inst., a similar demonstration was made on the right, and at about the same hour AVERILL’s division, now commanded by Col. POWELL, was attacked near Front Royal by a considerable force of cavalry and infantry. The firing soon ceased, and the army was not aroused from its slumbers, because the impression prevailed that the enemy were only feeling our lines. At a little later hour, not far from 4 o’clock A.M., picket firing commenced in front of the Nineteenth Corps, on the right and near the Manchester and Sharpsburgh pike; brisk at first, for a few minutes, then it almost ceased; a few minutes elapsed when firing was heard in front of Maj.-Gen. CROOK’s, Kanawha Corps, (sometimes called the Eighth,) advanced division, (the First, Col. THOBURN,) to the left of the pike, and half a mile more advanced than the Nineteenth Corps’ front. Almost simultaneously with this rapid firing commenced along the whole line, and heavy volleys of musketry were poured in upon the left of Gen. CROOK’s whole command, the the Second Division of which occupied a line of works to the rear and right (nearer the pike) of the First Division. Prisoners captured during the day state that KERSHAW’s rebel division of infantry and one brigade of cavalry, crossed Cedar Creek at about midnight on the night of the 18th inst., at two points, the principal force being massed opposite the left of Gen. CROOK’s command, and very near the advanced pickets. A dense fog enveloped the whole surrounding country as if in a mantle, which enabled the enemy to make the movement unperceived. Some of the pickets allege that they were regularly relieved by rebel officers and men dressed in our uniform. Others were quietly captured, the fog being so dense that one man could not see another at a distance of ten feet. Whether these statements are wholly true or not it is not material to inquire here. No doubt the facts will be ascertained in the proper quarter, and due punishment meted out for any neglect of duty. One thing is certain; the command of Gen. CROOK was taken entirely by surprise; so complete, indeed, was it, that few or no men were in the line of earthworks; in fact, they could have made but a poor defence had they been there, for a galling fire was poured in upon their flank. The panic that followed it is impossible to describe. Officers present at the time can give only a meagre account of it. They heard the whistle of innummerable bullets, the yelping of the enemy, but could not see exactly where they were, or from what point attacked. Some of the officers made an attempt to resist the attack, but the few men who participated were nothing as compared with the attacking force, and the enemy still pressed on. The fight soon merged into personal encounters within our own works, and there were many of the enemy who then and there drew their last breath. Col. THOBURN, who commanded the First Division at the extreme left of the chain of earthworks, made a futile attempt to rally his men. Each individual acted, for once, upon his own responsibility. A majority took to flight, while a few made strenuous resistance against great odds, and sold their lives dearly. Of the latter class was Lieut. BOYLE (a very powerful man,) of the First Pennsylvania Artillery, who stood by his guns amidst a shower of bullets, cutting every man down who came within reach of his sword, until, finally, a rebel soldier came up from behind, and knocked his brains out with the butt of a gun. Once in possession of the left, the guns in position there were turned and used upon the camp of the Nineteenth Corps, and increased, if such a thing were possible, the confusion. This occurred just at daybreak. The guns in battery in front of the Nineteenth Corps were trailed in the direction from whence the balls seemed to come, and were rapidly fired, evidently with but little effect, so far as checking the enemy was concerned, but added to the general confusion. At this moment, I reached the works in front of the Nineteenth Corps, and never will the scene there be effaced from my memory. The members of the Kanawha Corps rushed through the Nineteenth Corps camp like wild men; the officers of the Nineteenth made frantic efforts to arrest the flight of badly scared men and animals (horses and cows, with which the troops were well supplied,) dashing through the half-formed lines, rendering the officers’ duties exceedingly difficult; but in the face of a murderous dank fire several officers succeeded in getting the men into something like order, and a rapid fire was opened upon the enemy. The fog still hung like an impenetrable veil over all surrounding objects, and with shot, shell and bullets whistling and screeching through the air, the bellowing of cows, neighing of horses, interspersed with stentorian commands given by officers to men who were beyond all control, it is not to be wondered at that even the strongest-nerved man felt as if the rebellion was giving some awful death-gasps. At the height of the din a flock of birds swooped through the sulphurous smoke several times and seemed to be delighted with the turmoil.
At this time an exciting scene was transpiring a [???] hundred yards to the rear of the Nineteenth Corps’ camp, near Gen. SHERIDAN’s headquarters. The enemy had advanced their right rapidly, and reached the vicinity of Middleburgh, having a strong skirmish line near and almost parallel with and on the easterly side of the Winchester and Strasburgh pike, and were sending a perfect shower of missiles into the vicinity of headquarters’ camp, wounding one or more men belonging to the Fourth New-York Cavalry, Maj. SCHWARTZ, the Commanding General’s body guard, the Sixth Corps’ hospital camp, and acres of ground in the vicinity of headquarters, upon which trains were packed and troops were quartered. The Sixth Corps, in camp to the right and rear of the Nineteenth, was turning out as the general stampede of trains, horses, cows, panic-stricken soldiers and non-combatants took place; at this time, too, the fog increased the bewilderment of everybody. The Sixth Corps was hastily formed, and marched by the flank in divisions to the left and rear of headquarters and toward the pike, and halted in column by division. In executing this movement it was necessary to pass through the train. Some of the teamsters, more scared than others, attempted to “double up,” while a few became frantic and made an effort to flank the corps; but fortunately in this movement they were promptly checked by persons in charge of the train, in which work a number of the Sixth Corps officers rendered important assistance, and prevented a panic in this department. As it was, only one of the headquarters’ wagons was left behind: the Eighth Corps’ wagons and ambulances and some belonging to the Nineteenth, were captured as a matter of course. The fight, such as it was, had been going on for about an hour; old Sol had just began to penetrate the fog, and the Sixth Corps formed in column by division, as before stated, just behind a roll of land near the pike, and was awaiting the onset. The enemy by this time had forced back what of the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps that obstructed their passage, and parting with some friends in the Sixth I rode aside to look at the reception awaiting the now exultant enemy, as soon as they showed themselves in front of the Sixth. All eyes and hearts were centered upon this corps, as their last hope; this gallant band of brothers, the heroes of many a hard fought field were the last reliance, SHERIDAN had been called away two days before to Washington; he had not yet returned, and the crisis had come, when, in a few minutes would be decided the fate of this army and possibly the campaign. The enemy were exultant, they had captured 21 pieces of artillery, several hundred prisoners, a score or more of wagons and ambulances, and a retreating and partially demoralized enemy was flying before them. Imagine with what impetuosity they moved up the rise of ground in their advance directly in front of the Sixth Corps. EARLY, who was in command of the rebels, it may well be surmised by this time had sent off a dispatch to JEFF. DAVIS communicating the glorious news: “The enemy’s works on Cedar Creek have been carried by storm.” “21 guns (perhaps, falling to count, he ought have said 45) captured, several thousand prisoners captured, (he will correct his report to-day by saying hundreds, if he is an honest man!) and “ambulances and army wagons without number;” “fearful slaughter of the enemy,” &c., &c., &c. What could a single corps, numbering perhaps 12,000 fighting men, expect to do in front of such a foe, 30,000 strong, under the circumstances? What they did do history will record to their credit; and the enemies of the Union will long have cause to remember the fact. The Sixth at first checked the onward march of the enemy — the enemy rallied, and with cheers made a terrible onset, when the First Division gave way, and the Second, under the gallant GETTY, met them with sheet after sheet of lead, and charged the haughty foe. The slaughter was appalling; the enemy’s triumphant march through our camps had been checked, giving the Nineteenth time to reform, as well as a portion of the Eighth Corps. This accomplished, the Sixth gradually retired to a new portion. While the Sixth moved into position, Gen. TORBERT sent the First Division of cavalry, Gen. MERRITT, to look after the left flank — the enemy at Front Royal having been held by the Second Division, Col. POWELL. A portion of the Second Brigade of this division, Gen. DEVIN, was detailed as provost-guard to stop stragglers. It is stated by officers who were there, that the stragglers began to arrive in Winchester at about 8 o’clock A.M. — a distance of thirteen miles. There was obviously a necessity for reliable troops in the rear. Such determined stragglers were never seen before. The Third Division, at first on the right, was subsequently sent to the left — the enemy having threatened that flank by KERSHAW’s Division and some cavalry. On the right, CUSTER’s Cavalry, the Third Division, protected the flank for a while against ROSSER’s (rebel) Cavalry, when he too was ordered to the left to resist what appeared to be, and in fact was, an effort to turn our left. The enemy had tried our centre, and were met by the Sixth Corps; he had tried our right, and was met by the Nineteenth Corps and CUSTER’s Cavalry; he was now trying our left, and had been repulsed. Notwithstanding this, the men, starting out of camp, (all except the Sixth Corps and cavalry,) leaving tents and camp equipage behind, were dispirited, and there was a feeling of despondency; even the veterans of the Sixth commenced dropping out.
The hour of 10 o’clock had arrived, and Winchester, to outsiders, seemed to be the only halting place, when all of a sudden — no man present will ever forget the moment — cheers were heard in the rear! What was it? queried every one; reinforcements? No. Cheer after cheer filled the air, and all eyes were turned to the rear. Stragglers were seen to turn about and move to the front as if danger threatened them. The mystery was speedily solved: “Glorious PHIL. SHERIDAN,” as the soldiers call him, mounted on a favorite horse, now almost jaded, hove in sight, and hearing of the contest, he started from Winchester, with an escort of 275 men and when first seen near the field he had less than thirty men with him, so rapidly had he traveled. Riding through the fields to the left of the pike he passed along in front of the Sixth and Nineteenth corps. Such cheering, such wild enthusiasm I never heard or had any conception of before. Talk of popular favorites — SHERIDAN was the most popular man in the world at that moment: his presence inspired confidence more than what he said. Riding along the line, recognizing the greeting he received by waving his hat, he uttered modest words of encouragement and good cheer. Hundreds of eyes, unused to the melting mood, were dimmed with fears at that moment, and all thanked God for the return of Gen. SHERIDAN. This should not be considered as any disparagement to Gen WRIGHT, who, up to this time, had been in command; he, personally, had been vigilant and active, but circumstances were against us, and at the right moment the real Commander arrived. A man not grateful for such a welcome would be less than human — his heart must be stone. Gen. SHERIDAN did appreciate, not only the situation, but, [???] never before, the love the troops under his command have for him. It was a period of triumph — a point in a man’s career when the object of life had culminated; all other honors which mere officials can confer would not weigh in the balance with that one triumph. Love, adoration, safely — all expressed in shouts and buzzes. God only knows how individuals prayed for the arrival of the hero of Virginia Valley. Their prayers were answered. Mark the effect[???] The enemy had been checked before his arrival, but our flanks were still threatened. We were just holding our own. TAYLOR’s battery (B and L) of the Fire Division Cavalry had lost several horses, and officers and men were nearly exhausted; several other batteries were similarly situated. The Third Division of Cavalry was at once sent to the right; the Nineteenth Corps was also massed there; the Sixth remained in the centre, and the portion of the Eighth remaining on the field was placed on the left of the pike, flanked by MERRITT’s cavalry division, and the offensive was at once taken. Desperate was the struggle, and many a gallant spirit yielded up his life in the patriotic work on that field; but humanity was benefited by the sacrifice — civilization and republican institutions received another prop. The enemy pressed the right; the Nineteenth was massed in a piece of woods, ready for the struggle. The crisis, as it appeared to every one, had arrived, when it was to be decided whether or no the Army of the Middle Military Division — hitherto successful — should be disgracefully defeated and compelled to fall back to Winchester discomfited by the rebels under EARLY. The enemy pressed forward, and were met with several deadly vollies front the Nineteenth; the men behaved gallantly. Gen. SHERIDAN was with them to give encouragement by his presence. They fired several deadly volleys into the ranks of the enemy, killing them by scores. The advance was made by the whole line; the tide was turned, victory still was within our grasp. In a brief space of time despondency and despair disappeared and the army advanced. MERRITT, on the left, with the Michigan Brigade and Second Massachusetts Cavalry, charged KERSHAW’s division; a repulse did not dishearten the men; again, they charged and drove KERSHAW’s division five miles across the creek and up the sides of Massanuttin Mountain, and held the position. Here it was that Col. LOWELL, commanding brigade, in a charge made with the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, received his death-wound. At an early hour in the forenoon, he received a shot through the right arm and breast, (fresh wound,) which knocked him insensible to the ground; but upon rallying he thanked God that his life had been spared, referring feelingly to his wife, but refused to go to the rear, when urged to do so by those around him.
THE FINAL ADVANCE AND VICTORY.
Just as the sun was setting behind Little North Mountain in the western sky, CUSTER, who, since the arrival of Gen. SHERIDAN, was authorized to act according to his judgment in any emergency, seemed to realize that the hour of triumph had arrived, and by one single dash opened the way for the final success attained. The Nineteenth Corps had forced the left of the rebel infantry back, and was steadily advancing; the Sixth in the centre and Eighth on the left pressing forward with the general movement. At this moment ROSSER’s rebel cavalry, who had been driven back several times, again threatened our right [???]nk, when CUSTER sent Col. PENNINGTON, commanding First Brigade, to drive him back with the Second Ohio Cavalry. Lieut.-Col. PURINGTON, First Connecticut, Capt. FRENCH, and Second New-York, Major HULL, with PIERCE’s (Second United States) battery. ROSSER was forced to retire precipitately across Cedar Creek at Cupp’s Mill, about three miles westerly from the Strasburgh pike; and here Gen. CUSTER, young as he is, displayed judgment worthy of a NAPOLEON. With his whole command he threatened ROSSER; PIERCE’s battery fired vigorously, and the advance cavalry used their carbines freely. It was a critical moment. Our infantry was advancing, and MERRITT had driven the enemy on the left; a rebel battery near where army headquarters were located in the morning, was attempting prize; CUSTER considered a moment, as if in doubt, whether to force through ROSSER’s command and attempt to capture prisoners and artillery across the creek in their retreat, or to capture the battery near headquarters, or effect a crossing between ROSSER and the main column. The question was partially solved by the battery referred to fulling back. CUSTER, quick as thought, withdrew all of his force from Cupp’s Ford, except the First Connecticut, and ordered his whole command to move toward the creek as rapidly as possible, and at the same time the First Connecticut received orders to make a formidable demonstration to hold ROSSER, in which the regiment was entirely unsuccessful. CUSTER, with his practical eye, saw at a glance that the important moment for a dash had arrived. Hastily calling in his command he started with the First Vermont Cavalry, Col. WELLS, and Fifth New-York Cavalry, Major KROM, — the balance of the command, except the First Connecticut, following as closely as possible. With this small command he pushed through a rocky ravine, striking Cedar Creek at a blind ford, but little more than one-fourth of a mile west of the pike. CUSTER and WELLS at the head, crossed with the First Vermont, and Major KROM with the Fifth New-York, following. At a distance of less than half a mile from the Creek, PEGHAM’s infantry was found drawn up behind a stone wall to receive them. Skirmishers were hastily deployed from the First Vermont; the Fifth New-York in column, by squadrons, formed on the left. The rebel artillery could be heard rumbling over the pike — it was too great a prize to be lost. “Charge! Charge!” screeched out CUSTER, and the small but gallant band did charge successfully, dispersing the enemy and not stopping for prisoners. On the command dashed, striking the pike about one mile south of Cedar Creek. It was now dark, but at a glance it was seen the pike was full of artillery, horses, men, and wagons. Col. WELLS dashed forward to beyond Strasburgh, cutting off by this movement forty-five pieces of artillery, ambulances, wagons, caissons, horses, soldiers, &c., &c. The soldiers surrendered quietly generally, and only asked to have their lives spared — so much does conscience haunt even the poor traitors in the ranks of the rebel army. The scene that followed must be imagined, for it cannot be pictured in the mind of the reader. As I have said before, the Michigan brigade, Col. KIPP, had forced KERSHAW’s command across the river on the left, capturing many prisoners, and in fact dispersing the command. DEVIN’s brigade — a portion of it was a detached service — the First New-York, a portion of the Sixth and Twenty-ninth New-York, pursued the enemy directly up the pike; but the rapid movement of CUSTER gave him the advance, and his command, or rather the First Vermont and Fifth New-York, captured a majority of the guns, MERRITT’s division captured several battle-flags, seven or eight pieces of artillery and a large number of prisoners. CUSTER’s division recaptured a flag belonging to the Fifteenth New-Jersey Infantry, which was taken in the morning, and also several battle-flags and prisoners. The First Vermont alone captured more prisoners than there are men in the regiment. The infantry moved forward to the Creek, when they were ordered to occupy the same ground as they did the night before. A glorious victory had been achieved under the most adverse circumstances. Cheers upon cheers made the welkin ring, as the troops reoccupied their camps again. The tents and camp equipage of the Nineteenth and Eighth Corps were, of course, gone, and dead bodies of comrades and rebels were stumbled over in the dark; but victory had perched upon their banners and there was a general rejoicing. The troops were duly notified at a later hour of the captures made, and as the [???]nd tidings were announced in the different brigades, again the wild huzzas were heard in [???] throughout the whole corps; and although the men had fought all day, without scarcely a mouthful to eat — the rebels not having the good manners to wait for them to get breakfast — and many a companion had fallen, still, while lamenting the dead, all were joyous, and even contented to sleep without blankets or other covering in the cold night air, for a victory had crowned their labors.
The pike from Cedar Creek to Fisher’s Hill, or Round Top, is strewn with the debris of the rebel command. Here a wagon, there a dead traitor or a horse. Guns and accoutrements are to be seen on either hand. Several thousands have already been collected, but more remain on the roadside. The original Bull Run skedaddle did not begin to compare with the panic that existed in EARLY’s command after nightfall. The men, generally, when they found our cavalry were in pursuit, threw away their arms, and fled in every direction. Many fled across the Shenandoah to Massanutten Mountain, where hundreds of them have been picked up to-day by detachments of cavalry.
It is worthy of remark that since Gen. SHERIDAN has been in this department he has made an average capture of two guns per day, enough muskets, wagons and accoutrements to supply a corps, horses enough to mount a division, cows enough to supply New-York City with milk, and destroyed enough to sustain the whole rebel army three months.