The Battle of Cedar Creek occurred on Oct. 19, 1864 in the war-ravaged Shenandoah Valley. Confederate Gen. Jubal Early initiated the action with an attack on a Union camp. The Yankees were taken completely by surprise and beat a hasty retreat, losing 1,300 prisoners and 24 cannons. The Union commander was the famous cavalry Gen. Philip Sheridan, but he happened to be 20 miles away in Winchester. When Sheridan realized what was happening, he leaped on his horst Rienzi and galloped to the battlefield. Upon nearing it, he designated Capt. William McKinley to halt all retreaters and send them back to the front. Early had failed to fully exploit his stunning victory and had allowed the Union forces to form a defensive line. Early was not able to stop his men from plundering the Union camp for goodies. Sheridan’s arrival electrified his men and restored their morale. The next day Sheridan launched a devastating counterattack that destroyed Early’s army. But at least they had full stomachs for a change. The ride was immortalized by Thomas Buchanan Read in his poem “Sheridan’s Ride”. It includes:
“Hurrah! hurrah for Sheridan,
Hurrah! hurrah for horse and man!
And when their statues are placed on high,
Under the dome of the Union sky,
The American soldier’s Temple of fame,
There. with the glorious general’s name,
Be it said, in letters both bold and bright;
“Here is the steed that saved the day
By carrying Sheridan into the fight,
From Winchester – twenty miles away!’”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cedar_Creek
Phil Sheridan on Rienzi
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