Early pushed with all
speed.

General Lew Wallace hastily gathered up the few troops at his disposal
and hurried out from Baltimore to meet him. Wallace was defeated at the
Monocacy River July 9th, but precious time was gained for the
strengthening of Washington. When Early arrived before the city on the
11th, Grant's re-enforcements had not yet come, and the fate of the
capital trembled in the balance. Early happily delayed his attack till
the morrow, and that night two of Grant's veteran corps landed in
Washington, President Lincoln, in his anxiety, being on the wharf to
meet them. Once more Washington was safe, and Early fell back, pressed
by the newcomers.

[Illustration: Map.]
General Early's Maryland Campaign.

The pursuit was feeble, however, and the last of July Early swooped down
the valley again. A detachment pushed into Pennsylvania and burned
Chambersburg. All through the war the Confederate operations in the
Shenandoah Valley had been an annoyance and a menace. Grant now
determined to put a definite stop to this, and sent the dashing General
Sheridan for the work with 30,000 troops, including 8,000 cavalry.
Sheridan pushed Early up the Shenandoah, defeating him at Opequon Creek,
September 19th, and at Fisher's Hill two days later.

One-half of Early's army had been destroyed or captured, and the rest
driven southward. Sheridan then, in accordance with Grant's orders, that
the enemy might no longer make it a base of operations against the
capital, laid waste the valley so thoroughly that, as the saying went,
not a crow could fly up or down it without carrying rations. Spite of
this, Early, having been re-enforced, entered the valley once more. The
Union army lay at Cedar Creek. Sheridan had gone to Washington on
business, leaving General Wright in command. On the night of October
18th, the wily Confederate crept around to the rear of the Union left,
and attacked at daybreak. Wright was completely surprised, and his left
wing fled precipitately, losing 1,000 prisoners and 18 guns. He ordered
a retreat to Winchester. The right fell slowly back in good order,
interposing a steady front between Early and the demoralized left.

Meanwhile Sheridan, who had reached Winchester on his return, snuffed
battle, and hurried to the scene. Now came "Sheridan's Ride." Astride
the coal-black charger immortalized by Buchanan Read's verse, he shot
ahead and dashed upon the battle-field shortly before noon, his horse