Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/319

 /'// <if Gen. Jubal A. Early. 307

eral Pegram to examine the creek on the enemy's right. Hotchkiss returned with a sketch designating the roads on the enemy's left and rear, and with information that it was practicable to move the infantry between the base of the mountain and the Shenandoah river, into which the creek there empties to a ford below the mouth of the creek. Next morning General Gordon confirmed Captain Hotchkiss's report, expressing confidence that an attack could be successfully made on the enemy's left and rear, and Early resolved to move over the ground designated by Hotchkiss's sketch to the assault. That afternoon the division commanders met at Early's headquarters for final instructions, and Early directed that Gordon should proceed immediately after dark to the foot of the mountain, crossing the river, and move for a house on the west side of the Valley 'pike called " Belle Grove," where Sheridan had his head- quarters, taking with him the Second Corps namely, Gordon's, Ramseur's and Pegram' s Divisions. Early in person, with Ker- shaw and Wharton and all the artillery, was to move along the Valley 'pike from Strausburg and attack the enemy's front and left as soon as Gordon was engaged. Rosser, with his own and Wick- ham's Brigades, was to cross Cedar creek on the enemy's right flank and attack simultaneously with Gordon, while Lomax, with his division, was to move to Front Royal across the river, thence to the Valley 'pike, and strike the enemy wherever the firing might indi- cate his presence. Colonel William H. Payne, with his small brigade of 300 to 400 men, was to go with Gordon and endeavor to capture Sheridan, who was supposed to be at " Belle Grove."

"THE SUN OF MIDDLETOWN."

At the appointed hour, everything was in motion Wharton going with Early, at I o'clock, towards Strausburg; Rosser starting before day, to attack at 5 A. M. ; while Gordon has gone to get in position at nightfall. General Pegram having discovered from the signal station an entrenchment across the road over which Gordon was to advance, Early thought Gordon might have greater difficulty than had been anticipated, and adopted Pegram's suggestion to move toward the enemy's left to attack simultaneously with Gordon and Rosser. The artillery concentrated at Fisher's Hill, at 5 A. M., was to move at a gallop to Hupp's Hill, being thus held back that the rumbling of wheels might not be heard on the macademzied road, and canteens and swords were left in camp, that no sound might startle the enemy.