Page:A memoir of the last year of the War of Independence, in the Confederate States of America.djvu/125



After the return from Cedar Creek, the main body of my troops remained in their camp for the rest of the month without disturbance, but on the 26th of October the enemy's cavalry attacked Lomax at Millford and, after sharp fighting, was repulsed. Having heard that Sheridan was preparing to send troops to Grant, and that the Manassas Gap railroad was being repaired, I moved down the Valley again on the 10th of November. I had received no reinforcements except about 350 cavalry under General Cosby from Breckenridge's department in South Western Virginia, some returned convalescents, and several hundred conscripts who had been on details which had been revoked. On the 11th, on our approach to Cedar Creek, it was found that the enemy had fallen back towards Winchester, after having fortified and occupied a position on Hupp's Hill subsequently to ihe battle of Cedar Creek. Col. Payne drove a small body of cavalry through Middletown to Newtown, and I followed him and took position south of the latter place and in view of it. Sheridan's main force was found posted north of Newtown in a position which he was engaged in fortifying. I remained in front of him during the 11th aud 12th, Rosser being on my left flank on the Back