Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/450

 444 Southern Historical Society Papers,

There was also a singular coincidence between the battle of Cedar Creek and the battle of Winchester, fought exactly one month pre- viously. When General Sheridan advanced on Winchester only Ramseur's division was ready to meet him. General Early and the rest of his troops were some distance off and reached the field of battle by a forced march and in detail. The result was that, after a hard day's fight, our men were compelled to retreat with a heavy loss in men and officers, including Generals Rodes and Godwin, who were killed on the field of battle.

So, when General Early attacked Sheridan at Cedar Creek, the latter was at Winchester, and woke to find his army routed and in full retreat. This gave occasion to his famous " ride " made to meet and rally his fleeing soldiers.

The evening before the battle, the ominous order to ' ' prepare rations " was received. A short time before daylight the ordnance and medical officers were ordered to move out on the Valley pike and to take their wagons to the foot of Fisher's Hill ; the one con- taining the implements of death and destruction, and the other band- ages, medicines and surgical appliances to repair the mischief the first might do.

The troops had left some time previously, but so well had the secret of the plan of attack been kept that we had no idea of the direction they had taken.

It was a beautiful October night, clear and frosty. Around were the mountains, their grandeur but half revealed in the darkness. Above, the starry and resplendent heavens. So calm, so tranquil, so peaceful the scene that it seemed a sacrilege to break its stillness by war's rude alarms, or to mar its loveliness by strife and bloodshed.

Just as day was breaking and faint streaks of light appeared in the east, the sound of musketry and the cheers of the troops down the creek disclosed the attack and the plan of battle. Our army had been moved quietly down the creek and around the end of Massa- nutton mountain by a very difficult route, under the cover of night, and had made a complete surprise of the enemy's camp.

The line of fire moved rapidly up the creek, showing that the attack met with little resistance. The boom of cannon captured from the enemy and turned upon their fleeing owners, mingled with the sound of musketry. Soon the bridge was reached and cleared, and our artillery and ordnance wagons passed over to assist in the attack.

On the extreme right of the enemy time had been given for the troops to form, and the resistance was stubborn. But early in the