Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/252

 252 Southern Historical Society Papers.

clothes and " hard-lack " were oftener matters for jest than complaint. When his officer was considerate and capable, he was his idol. He was intelligent, understood the issues at stake and discussed the merits and conduct of every battle. Whether on the picket line or the fore- front of battle, behind every trusted musket there was a thinker, and there was an accommodation and comradeship between the mere boy and the oldest veteran. It was such devotion and unsurpassed hero- ism as was displayed by the privates of each army, equally brave and of one nationality, that makes our country great and demonstrates to the world the excellence and superiority of the Anglo-Saxon race.

" Can comrades cease to think of those who bore The brunt of conflict, marching side by side Forget how youth forgot his beardless face, Made beauteous by his valorous arm ? "

No, never ! while a widowed heart ceases to forget, or a sister shall coldly touch the brother's " honored blade." All honor then to the noble women who, in his old age and poverty that " ill- matched pair " seek to provide, if not a home, at least a shelter for him. May Heaven's choicest blessings rest upon them and all who shall aid them in their pious and patriotic work.

To return to my narrative. After the affair of Fisher's Hill we fell back to the lower passes of the Blue Ridge, where Sheridan fol- lowed us as far as Staunton. Then, after destroying the Central rail- road, he retreated up the Valley and took position behind his en- trenchments at

CEDAR CREEK.

Early had now been reinforced by the return of Kershaw's division, Cutshaw's battalion of artillery and some cavalry, which about made up his losses at Winchester and Fisher's Hill. About the time Sheridan fell back it had been Early' s purpose to attack him, which he doubtless anticipated, for he heard that Longstreet had joined Early, and it was their purpose to destroy him. Early pursued Sheridan beyond Middletown, where he found him too strongly en- trenched for a direct attack, and we therefore formed behind our breastworks at Fisher's Hill. From our signal station, which over- looked their camp, it was discovered that the Federal left flank was lightly picketed, and by a long detour and careful movement could be taken in reverse. A flanking movement was directed by Early and mainly entrusted to Gordon, who, his own and Ramseur's divi-