reserve artillery lay in the rear on the turn- | began to move against Sheridan's lines. His pike. On the seventeenth, the cavalry on the cavalry and light artillery were directed to

right, under Custer,

was attacked by Confederate cavalry and infantry, and a severe skirmish ensued, resulting in the repulse of the enemy. Next day a careful reconnoissance was made from the left towards Strasburg and Fisher's Hill; but no sign of movement on the part of the enemy was discovered. patches, however, were captured; and it was thus ascertained that reinforcements had been sent to Early, for the purpose of enabling him to attack and defeat Sheridan.

66

Dis

Early, in fact, had

just received a reinforcement of some twelve thousand men. His actual strength was thus increased to twenty-seven thousand. His army was still smaller than that of Sheridan. Encouraged, however, by so large an accession of strength, Early prepared to put in execution one of the most

COUNTRY BETWEEN CHATTANOOGA AND ATLANTA.

audacious movements

of the war.

he arranged his troops at Fisher's Hill and

"Before break of day on the nineteenth, | advance against the National right, so as to

occupy the attention of Torbert and the оссиру

Sixth corps. His infantry marched in five | ducted quietly, and with great caution. The columns, of which Gordon's, Ramseur's, and Pegram's were ordered to place themselves by daybreak on the left rear of the whole National position, while Kershaw's and Kershaw's and Wharton's were to endeavor to get, about the same time, close under the entrenched rising ground on which lay Crook's command. To turn the National left, it was

GENERAL JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON. necessary that Early's columns should descend into the gorge at the base of the Massanutten Mountain, ford the North Fork of the Shenandoah, and skirt Crook's encampment for some distance, in some places within four hundred yards of his pickets.

"It was a hazardous as well as audacious experiment; but it was executed with wonderful skill, and, as the result proved, with complete success. The movement was con

result was that before daybreak the Confederate infantry, formed and ready for battle, lay within six hundred yards of the National camps. Gordon's column was diagonally in the rear of the Nineteenth corps; on the left of Crook, facing Kitching's provisione division, was Ramseur supported by Pegram, in front of Crook was Kershaw supported by Wharton. Under cover of the morning mist, Kershaw's column moved rapidly through Crook's picket line, and with tremendous fury rushed upon the entrenchments. The onslaught was fearful. The surprise was complete.

"In a quarter of an hour Crook's gallant army of Western Virginia became a disorganized mass of fugitives in rapid rout towards the position of the Nineteenth corps. Crook lost several batteries, some seven hundred men made prisoners, and about one hundred in killed and wounded. The Sixth corps was at the same time menaced; and its attention occupied by the enemy's cavalry and light artillery. It fell to the lot of the Nineteenth corps to resist unaided the shock of Gordon's column, now advancing solidly massed up the slope of a broad, bare hill which commanded Emory's camp. The Confederate force, including the divisions of Ramseur and Pegram, was as strong as Emory's, and was supported by another column coming up through the woods on the left, and along the turnpike in front.

"The Nineteenth corps was thus not only taken in the rear, but outnumbered. Still it held out for about an hour; and then its left gave way, leaving a part of the artillery i the enemy's hands. The left and centre of the National army had now fallen into complete confusion; and all the trains that could be got away were sent off in haste along the turnpike towards Winchester. The sun was

now high in the heavens, and the extent of | Sixth corps held its ground well; but the disaster was rendered visible. The Confederates had succeeded in rolling up the left of the line, and in severing Powell's cavalry division on the extreme left from the rest of the army; and they were now forcing back the entire centre, and occupying the entrenchments of the Nineteenth corps as they had those of Crook's command. They had also captured eighteen pieces of artillery, thus not only lessening the National power for defense, but increasing their own power for attack. The captured cannon were turned with terrible effect on their late possessors. The Sixth corps was now ordered over from the right; and these troops, executing quickly : change of front which brought them at right angles to their former line, were soon engaged in desperate battle.

A Desperate Struggle.

The resistance made by the Sixth corps in covering the retreat afforded opportunity for re-enforcing the fugitives to some extent; but the Confederates increased their artillery and musketry fire to the utmost, and still pressed the National left flank, with the view, apparently, of getting full possession of the turnpike, that they might seize the trains and get between the National army and Winchester. The enemy pressed the left much more vigorously than the right. Merritt's and Custer's cavalry were transferred from the right to the left; and a severe contest took place in the thickly-wooded country near Middletown, in which the left had been placed by its rapid retreat.

"About nine o'clock Sheridan's army had got into line of battle again, and made desperate efforts to check the enemy. Both sides used artillery; but the Confederates had greatly the advantage in this arm, having not only their own batteries, but the captured guns of their antagonists besides. The

Crook's corps on the left was forced back, and the whole line gradually gave way, the enemy again getting past the National left flank, and finally gaining the village of Middletown, about three miles northeast of the position from which Sheridan's army had been driven. The principal aim of the National commanders now was to cover the trains and draw off the army with as little loss as possible to Newton, where they hoped to be able to re-form and offer an effective resistance. The battle had been completely lost. Camps, earth-works, some twenty-four guns and one thousand eight hundred prisoners-all were left in the hands of the enemy. The routed Nationals were flying in all directions, large numbers of them making their way to Winchester.

"Face the Other Way, Boys!"

"The National army fell back, as we have seen, first towards Middletown, and afterwards in the direction of Newton. About a mile or so in the rear of Middletown, Wright succeeded in restoring something like order. Sheridan was still absent. He had been, as we have mentioned, on a visit to Washington. On his return, he spent the night at Winchester. It was not until his army had been defeated that he was made aware of Early's attack. He was in his saddle in a minute. He had scarcely left Winchester when he beheld sad evidences of the disaster which had befallen his army. The road was covered with wagon trains and crowds of weary fugitives.

"As he rode along on his splendid charger, the air was rent with cheers. The fugitives felt abashed and halted; and the wounded by the wayside feebly waved a joyful salute. He did not slacken his pace to rebuke or encourage. Waving his hat to the cheering crowds, his horse still at full

1

gallop, he shouted, 'Face the other way, | same moment, the National cavalry fell upon boys! Face the other way! We are going Early's flank. The tide of battle had already back to our camps. We are going to lick turned. them out of their boots.' The words were electric. The tide of fugitives began to turn. As he neared the main body, the enthusiasm became unbounded. Officers and men tossed their hats and cheered to the echo. He repeated his fiery words, ' Boys, if I had been here this would never have happened. We are going back. We'll have all these camps and cannon back again.' What Sheridan said he meant; and the men believed him. He was in the field shortly after ten o'clock.

General Early Repulsed.

"There was a lull in the fight, which lasted several hours. Wright, as has been mentioned, had already restored. order, and made dispositions, if not for attack, at least for effective resistance. Sheridan approved of the arrangements; and mid the most enthusiastic cheers, he rode along the lines, studying the ground and encouraging the men. About one o'clock Early made a charge, which was vigorously repulsed by Emory. About three o'clock Sheridan gave the order, 'The entire line will advance. The Nineteenth corps will move in connection with the Sixth. The right of the Nineteenth will swing to the left, so as to drive the enemy upon the pike.'

"The order was promptly obeyed. The entire line moved forward-Getty's division leading the charge. Merritt's cavalry covered the left flank; and Custer's cavalry was thrown out on the right. As the Nationals advanced they were checked for a moment by a tremendous fire of artillery and musketry. The check, however, was but momentary; for Emory swung around upon the foe, and by two gallant charges greatly disordered his lines. Almost at the

"The Confederates fought with bravery and determination; but Sheridan's men now fighting in the presence of their favorite chief, were not to be resisted. The battle, in fact, was already won; and what was so recently a retreat, was now changed into a pursuit. It was a perfect rout. On his arrival, Sheridan said, 'We'll have all those camps and cannon back again.' His word was made good. That night, the National infantry halted within their old camps; but the cavalry pursued, hanging upon the flanks and rear of the retreating foe, until he was beyond Strasburg, and night fell upon the scene. Early halted for the night at Fisher's Hill, and in the morning resumed his retreat southward. In the pursuit, all the captured guns were recovered. The Nationals captured not only their own guns, but twentythree of those of the enemy, together with one thousand five hundred prisoners, and any quantity of horses, mules, ambulances, wagons and stores of various kinds."

Sharp Struggle at Resaca.

The Western army under General Sherman was increased to one hundred thousand men, and was concentrated in and around Chattanooga about the last of April. Opposed to this force, General Joseph E. Johnston had collected an army of fifty thousand men at Dalton, Georgia. The objective point of Sherman was Atlanta, Georgia, the key to the railroad system of the South.

On the seventh of May the Federal army began its advance. The position at Dalton being too strong to be assaulted, Sherman turned it by a flank movement upon Resaca, to which place Johnston fell back. On the fourteenth and fifteenth of May Sherman endeavored to force the Confederate lines near