a regiment to reinforce the repulsed troops. I sent the 126th Ohio
under Captain George W. Hoge, and it soon became seriously imperilled
in a renewed attack. Discovering this, I followed it with the 6th
Maryland under Major C. K. Prentiss, and, uniting the two with
other troops, charged the heights just at dark and carried them.
My two regiments occupied them for the night.( 3)

Sheridan, on the 21st, ordered Torbert with Merritt and Wilson's
cavalry divisions (save Devin's brigade) to the Luray Valley, with
instructions to drive out any force of the enemy he might encounter,
and, if possible, cross over from that Valley to New Market, and
intercept Early's retreat, should the latter be defeated in the
impending battle. Averell's cavalry division was on the Back or
Cedar Creek road, well advanced.

The Sixth and Nineteenth Corps held their positions of the previous
evening, and threatened the enemy in front. Part of my brigade
was continued on the advance line during the forenoon of the 22d,
the remainder in reserve. The real attack was to be made by Crook,
but this rendered it desirable to conceal his movements and deceive
the vigilant enemy. While Crook remained in hiding in the timber,
Sheridan decided to demonstrate against Early's left centre in such
way as to lead him to expect a formidable assault there. Accordingly
the whole of Ricketts' division with Averell's cavalry was, about
12 M., rather defiantly displayed and moved conspicuously to our
right, and close upon the enemy's front. My position in partial
reserve made my command the most available for this movement. I
was therefore ordered to take the advance, followed by Colonel
Emerson with the First Brigade. The movement was made in full
sight of the enemy and under the fire of his guns. We gained,
after some fighting, a ridge that extended near to Tumbling Run on
the north of the enemy's fortifications. The enemy fought hard to
hold possession of this ridge as a protection to his left and as
a good lookout. Under Ricketts' orders I continued by repeated
charges to push the enemy along this ridge for about three quarters
of a mile until he was forced to abandon it, cross the Run, and
take refuge within his works. Under such cover as we could get my
men were now held within easy musket shot of the enemy. During
this movement our guns in the rear tried to aid us, but it was hard
to tell which we suffered from the most--our own shells or the