Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/224

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twelve miles northeast of Strasburg. General Early was noti- fied, and also viewed the position. Returning to camp, he as- sembled his major-generals, and a council of war determined upon a daylight attack Gordon in command of the second corps, composed of Evans', Ramseur's and Pegram's divisions. He was to turn the enemy's left at Buckton, and Kershaw, with Wharton, was to rush the front. These movements were to be made as the first ray of the rising sun pierced the sky. Early and staff were awaiting on the hills overlooking the position.

It was a most trying moment, and General Early fully appre- ciated it, and turning to his chief of staff, Colonel Moore, said: ''Colonel, this is the most trying experience of my life; if I could only pray like Stonewall Jackson, what a comfort it would be."

He had hardly uttered the words when Gordon fired his first gun, which was immediately followed by the entire army, and in a short time the entire force was over the breastworks of the enemy, surprised and routed, in a retreat only equalled by that of Bull Run.

HAD TERRIBLE TIME.

It must be remembered our army was but the remnants of the Second Corps, and other commands, men barefooted and ragged, and but half fed, and our horses broken down, with nothing but grass for food. The men had been on the move since 6 A. M 1 ., with no sleep for thirty hours, and it was not surpris- ing they should straggle and plunder the enemy's well-supplied camps.

General Early followed Wright's army to the hills overlook- ing Middletown, and there calling a halt, he found but 5,000 men for duty, and in the woods north of Middletown there was the Sixth Corps (Sedgwick) in line of battle, protected by abattis work 10,000 strong, which had been removed from White Post during the night to this position. The officers of this corps had also succeeded in halting and reorganizing at least 10,000 of Wright's routed army.

As the fates had worked against him Early determined to hold his position and retreat under the cover of night, and here again he r/as disappointed, as Sheridan, about 4 P. M., moved