nd death, alike victorious, show to all men.

SHERIDAN AT CEDAR CREEK

Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
--Addison.

General Sheridan took command of the Army of the Shenandoah in August,
1864. His coming was the signal for aggressive fighting, and for a
series of brilliant victories over the rebel army. He defeated Early
at Winchester and again at Fisher's Hill, while General Torbert whipped
Rosser in a subsequent action, where the rout of the rebels was so
complete that the fight was known as the "Woodstock races." Sheridan's
plan after this was to terminate his campaign north of Staunton, and,
returning thence, to desolate the Valley, so as to make it untenable
for the Confederates, as well as useless as a granary or storehouse, and
then move the bulk of his army through Washington, and unite them
with General Grant in front of Petersburg. Grant, however, and the
authorities at Washington, were in favor of Sheridan's driving Early
into Eastern Virginia, and following up that line, which Sheri dan
himself believed to be a false move. This important matter was in debate
until October 16, when Sheridan, having left the main body of his army
at Cedar Creek under General Wright, determined to go to Washington, and
discuss the question personally with General Halleck and the Secretary
of War. He reached Washington on the morning of the 17th about eight
o'clock, left there at twelve; and got back to Martinsburg the same
night about dark. At Martinsburg he spent the night, and the next day,
with his escort, rode to Winchester, reaching that point between three
and four o'clock in the afternoon of the 18th. He there heard that all
was quiet at Cedar Creek and along the front, and went to bed, expecting
to reach his headquarters and join the army the next day.

About six o'clock, on the morning of the 19th, it was reported to him
that artillery firing could be heard in the direction of Cedar Creek,
but as the sound was stated to be irregular and fitful, he thought it
only a skirmish. He, nevertheless, arose at once, and had just finished
dressing when another officer came in, and reported that the firing was
still going on in the same direction, but that it did not sound like
a general battle. Still Sheridan was uneasy, and, after breakfasting,
mounted his horse between eight and nine o'clock, and rode slowly
through Winchester. When he