the end of the summer of 1864 the Confederate cavalry were pushing north into Pennsylvania, making for the Susquehanna River. They sacked the town of Chambersburg, and threw the neighboring country into panic. General Grant at once sent a large force to head off this invasion, and placed General Philip Henry Sheridan in command of it. On September 19, 1864, the Confederate General Early attacked Sheridan's troops at Winchester. Sheridan defeated Early after repeated charges by the Union cavalry, and sent him retreating down the Shenandoah Valley.

This repulse was thought to have checked General Early, and a little later Sheridan went to Washington to consult with the Secretary of War. During his absence, on October 18th, the Confederates secretly moved a large force against the Union army at Cedar Creek, and the following morning attacked the sleeping camp in front, flank, and rear. The Federal troops, taken absolutely by surprise, broke and fled. Early drove them before him, and appeared to be winning a great victory. But Sheridan was returning from Washington, and had reached the town of Winchester when he heard the sound of cannon. He instantly put spurs to his horse and dashed towards Cedar Creek, a distance of twenty miles.

As the general came up to his retreating men he shouted, "Face the other way, boys; we're going back!" The soldiers turned and followed him, and by the time he reached the battle-field at noon the retreating army was turned into an attacking one. Cheering for Sheridan the soldiers charged and completely routed Early's army, driving them back again and out of the Valley. Sheridan's ride won a great Union victory, and in recognition of it President Lincoln made the commander a major-general.

by Thomas Buchanan Read

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