r 3d, the infantry
stretching from Clifton farm on the right to Berryville on the
left. On this day there was short but fierce fighting between
Averell and McCausland's cavalry at Bunker Hill, in which the latter
was defeated with loss in prisoners, wagons, and supplies, and also
between Crook's command and Kershaw's division. The latter seems
to have run, at nightfall, unexpectedly, into Crook, near Berryville,
and was severely punished. Kershaw was of Longstreet's corps and
was then under orders to return to Lee's army at Petersburg. No
other event of greater importance than a reconnoissance occurred
until the 19th.

Sheridan's army was then composed of the Sixth Corps, under Wright
--three divisions, commanded, respectively, by Generals David A.
Russell, George W. Getty, and James B. Ricketts, and an artillery
brigade of six batteries; the Nineteenth Corps under Emory--two
divisions and four batteries; Eighth Corps (Army of West Virginia)
under Crook--two divisions, and an artillery brigade of three
batteries. Besides the troops mentioned, there were three divisions
of cavalry and eight light or horse artillery batteries, commanded
by General Alfred A. T. Torbert. The cavalry divisions were
commanded, respectively, by Generals Wesley Merritt, Wm. W. Averell,
and James H. Wilson.( 6) Although there were in Sheridan's command
about 50,000 men present for duty, they were so scattered, guarding
railroads and various positions, that he was not able to take into
battle more then 25,000 men of all arms.( 7) Early had in the
Valley District Ewell's corps, Breckinridge's command, and at least
one division of Longstreet's corps, Fitz Lee's and McCausland's
cavalry divisions and other cavalry organizations, and it is probable
that he was not able to bring into battle more then 25,000 effective
men. These estimates will hold good through the months of September
and October, though some additions and changes took place in each
army. Grant met Sheridan at Charlestown the 16th, to arrange a
plan for the latter to attack Early. Sheridan drew from his pocket
a plat showing the location of the opposing armies, roads, streams,
etc., and detailed to Grant a plan of battle of his own, saying he
could whip Early. Grant approved the plan, and did not even exhibit
one of his own, previously prepared. This meeting was on Friday.
Sheridan was to move the next Monday.( 8)

Sheridan gives much credit to Miss Rebecca M. Wright of