Battle of Cedar Creek

Template:Good article Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Infobox military conflict Template:Campaignbox Sheridan's Valley Campaign The Battle of Cedar Creek, or Battle of Belle Grove, was fought on October 19, 1864, during the American Civil War. The fighting took place in the Shenandoah Valley of Northern Virginia, near Cedar Creek, Middletown, and the Valley Pike. During the morning, Lieutenant General Jubal Early appeared to have a victory for his Confederate army, as he captured over 1,000 prisoners and over 20 artillery pieces while forcing seven enemy infantry divisions to fall back. The Union army, led by Major General Philip Sheridan, rallied in late afternoon and drove away Early's men. In addition to recapturing all of their own artillery seized in the morning, Sheridan's forces captured most of Early's artillery and wagons.

In heavy fog, Early attacked before dawn and completely surprised many of the sleeping Union soldiers. His smaller army attacked segments of the Union army from multiple sides, giving him temporary numerical advantages in addition to the element of surprise. At about 10:00Template:Nbspam, Early paused his attack to reorganize his forces. Sheridan, who was returning from a meeting in Washington, D.C. when the battle started, hurried to the battlefield and arrived around 10:30Template:Nbspam. His arrival calmed and revitalized his retreating army. At 4:00Template:Nbsppm his army counterattacked, making use of its superior cavalry force. Early's army was routed and fled south.

The battle ruined the Confederate army in the Shenandoah Valley, and it never again could maneuver down the valley to threaten the Union capital city of Washington, D.C. or northern states. Additionally, the Shenandoah Valley had been a key producer of supplies for the Confederate army, and Early could no longer protect it. The Union victory aided the reelection of Abraham Lincoln, and along with earlier victories at Winchester and Fisher's Hill, won Sheridan lasting fame.

Background

Union and Confederate strategies for Virginia in 1864

LTG U.S. Grant

In March 1864, Major General Ulysses S. Grant was summoned from the Western Theater, promoted to lieutenant general, and given command of all Union armies.<ref name="Chernow335-337">Template:Harvnb</ref> Grant's strategy, different from his predecessors, was for the Union armies to fight together with the objective of destroying Confederate armies instead of conquering territory. He would use multiple Union forces at the same time, making it difficult for the Confederates to transfer forces from one battlefront to another.<ref name="Chernow356">Template:Harvnb</ref> In Virginia, General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was a target. Not only would Lee's army be pursued, but steps would be taken to cut off its supplies that came from Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.<ref name="Chernow357">Template:Harvnb</ref> Those supplies often moved on the Virginia Central Railroad, Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, and other railroads—which also became targets.<ref name="Whisonant157">Template:Harvnb</ref>

The Confederate Army of the Valley was created by Lee in June 1864 as a detachment of the Army of Northern Virginia's Second Corps and was commanded by Lieutenant General Jubal Early.<ref name="Gallagherix">Template:Harvnb</ref> Its purpose was to protect the Shenandoah Valley, which was a major source of food for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Another objective was to threaten the Union's capital of Washington, forcing the Union to divert resources and relieve some of the pressure on the Army of Northern Virginia near the Confederate capital of Richmond.<ref name="Gallagher16">Template:Harvnb</ref> In June, Early beat Union forces in the Battle of Lynchburg and Second Battle of Kernstown.<ref name="NPSLynhburgCampaign">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="NPSKernstownII">Template:Cite web</ref> On July 9, he won the Battle of Monocacy in Maryland.<ref name="NPSMonocacy">Template:Cite web</ref> Two days later, Early threatened Washington in the Battle of Fort Stevens, but was repelled by reinforcements rushed to the battlefield.<ref name="ABTFortStevens">Template:Cite web</ref> Early then sent cavalry commanded by Brigadier General John McCausland on a northern raid in late July that resulted in the burning of the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.<ref name="Gallagherxii">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Sheridan's campaign

Sheridan's operations in the Shenandoah Valley

After the cavalry raid that burned Chambersburg, Grant decided that Early's threat had to be eliminated.<ref name="Chernow431">Template:Harvnb</ref> In early August, Grant consolidated four military organizations into the Middle Military Division, and Major General Philip Sheridan assumed command on August 7—calling his force of cavalry and infantry the Army of the Shenandoah.<ref name="NPSSheridanTakes">Template:Cite web</ref> At its creation, the army had three objectives. First was to drive Early's army away from the Potomac River region and lower (northern) Shenandoah Valley, and pursue it southward. Second was to destroy the valley's capacity to provide Lee's army with food and supplies. Third was to disrupt the Virginia Central Railroad.<ref name="Gallagher14">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Sheridan was cautious in August because of a concern that any military disaster could hamper the re–election of President Abraham Lincoln.<ref name="ABTLincolnValley">Template:Cite web</ref> In September Sheridan had decisive victories over Early at the Third Battle of Winchester and at Fisher's Hill.<ref name="Lewis50-51">Template:Harvnb</ref> Sheridan took possession of the Shenandoah Valley as far south as Staunton, Virginia, and considered Early's army cleared from the valley.<ref name="Lewis51">Template:Harvnb</ref>

With Early much less of a threat, Sheridan could focus on denying the Confederacy the means of supplying its armies in Virginia. Sheridan's army (mostly cavalry) did this aggressively, burning crops, barns, mills, and factories. The operation, conducted primarily from September 26 to October 8, has been known to locals ever since as "the Burning" or "Red October".<ref name="Lowe40">Template:Harvnb</ref> It encompassed the area of Harrisonburg, Port Republic, Staunton and Waynesboro.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p30">Template:Harvnb</ref> Sheridan claimed that when the destruction was completed, "the Valley, from Winchester up to Staunton, ninety-two miles [148 km], will have but little in it for man or beast."<ref name="DavisB307-308">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">On November 24, Sheridan's report for August 10 through November 16 listed the capture or killing of over 41,000 animals, and over 500,000 bushels of wheat and corn. He destroyed 81 mills and 1,200 barns.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p37">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> While this action achieved one of Grant's goals, Grant preferred attacks on the railroads that supplied Lee's army in Richmond.<ref name="Lewis51-52">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">Grant preferred that Sheridan destroy the railroad lines near Charlottesville and disable the James River and Kanawha Canal that led to Richmond.<ref name="Lewis51-52"/> Sheridan believed that the logistics involved with taking his army to Charlottesville would be difficult, and worked on the goal to make the Valley unable to support Lee's army.<ref name="Lewis51-52"/></ref>

Early reinforced

After Rosser's October 9 defeat at Tom's Brook, most of Sheridan's army camped near Cedar Creek

After Early's September 22 defeat at Fisher's Hill, he retreated up the valley (south) to Mount Jackson.<ref name="Early432">Template:Harvnb</ref> On September 26, he was reinforced by the infantry division of Major General Joseph B. Kershaw, who also brought a battalion of artillery.<ref name="Early433">Template:Harvnb</ref> More reinforcements arrived on October 5, when the Laurel Brigade of Brigadier General Thomas L. Rosser also joined Early and was combined with two other cavalry brigades to form a division commanded by Rosser.<ref name="Early435">Template:Harvnb</ref> Early believed that the addition of Kershaw's Division (2,700 fighters), Rosser's Laurel Brigade (600 men), the artillery battalion, and the return of stragglers from the September battles almost made up for his losses at Winchester and Fisher's Hill.<ref name="Early435"/><ref name="Wert161">Template:Harvnb</ref>

After much of "The Burning" was conducted, Sheridan's cavalry began moving north down the valley. The Confederate cavalries of Major General Lunsford L. Lomax and Rosser harassed Sheridan's rear guard. By October 8, Rosser's men were near the Union cavalry division commanded by Brigadier General George Custer, while Lomax was near the division commanded by Brigadier General Wesley Merritt. On that evening, an annoyed Sheridan told his cavalry commander, Brigadier General Alfred Torbert, to "whip the rebel cavalry or get whipped".<ref name="Wert161"/> On October 9, in the Battle of Tom's Brook, Custer and Merritt routed the Confederate cavalry in a battle that was described by Torbert as "the most decisive the country had every witnessed".<ref name="Wert164">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Opposing forces

Union

MG P. Sheridan

MG H. Wright

In mid-October, the Army of the Shenandoah had 11 divisions plus artillery units, totaling about 31,610 effectives with 90 artillery pieces.<ref name="Whitehorne11-12">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">The National Park Service says 31,945 Union forces were engaged for the Union in the battle.<ref name="NPSCedarCreekBD">Template:Cite web</ref></ref> A few days before the battle, Sheridan attended a meeting in Washington, and Major General Horatio Wright commanded the army in Sheridan's absence.<ref name="Whitehorne7-8">Template:Harvnb</ref> The Union forces were divided into the following:

• VI Corps had three infantry divisions and an artillery brigade, and was commanded by Major General Horatio Wright.<ref name="Wert308-309">Template:Harvnb</ref> When Wright temporarily commanded the army during Sheridan's initial absence from the battle, the corps was commanded by Brigadier General James B. Ricketts.<ref name="Wert198">Template:Harvnb</ref> At least one historian says Wright's fighters had a reputation for "steadfastness and reliability".<ref name="Wert18">Template:Harvnb</ref> The VI Corps consisted of 8,506 infantry effectives. In addition, they had 600 men operating 24 artillery pieces.<ref name="Whitehorne12">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">The Third Brigade of the 1st Division did not engage because it was in Winchester at the time of the battle.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p125">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref>
• XIX Corps, consisting of two infantry divisions, was commanded by Brigadier General William H. Emory.<ref name="Whitehorne12"/><ref group="Note">Emory is also listed as a Brevet Major General in the Official Records.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p127">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> It consisted of 8,748 infantry effectives.<ref group="Note">The Third Brigade of the 1st Division was not engaged in the battle because it was guarding wagon trains.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p127"/></ref> In addition, it had 414 men operating 20 artillery pieces.<ref name="Whitehorne12"/> The XIXTemplate:NbspCorps was considered far behind the VITemplate:NbspCorps in discipline and efficiency.<ref name="Wert20">Template:Harvnb</ref>
• The Cavalry Corps, consisting of three divisions and a section of horse artillery, was commanded by Major General Alfred Torbert.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p129-130">Template:Harvnb</ref> It had 7,500 effectives plus 642 artillerists operating 30 artillery pieces.<ref name="Whitehorne12"/> The three division commanders were Merritt, Colonel William H. Powell, and Custer.<ref name="Whitehorne12-13">Template:Harvnb</ref> Fifteen regiments were completely armed, and three more were partially armed, with the carbine version of the seven-shot Spencer repeating rifle.<ref name="Wert22">Template:Harvnb</ref>
• The Army of West Virginia functioned as an infantry corps in Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah, and is sometimes incorrectly identified as the VIII Corps.<ref group="Note">Major portions of Crook's command came from what had been the VIII Corps, causing his command to be labeled as such for simplicity.<ref name="Lewis95">Template:Harvnb</ref> However, Army of West Virginia was the correct name, and both Sheridan and Crook used that name in their reports.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p115">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref name="Ainsworth1902p360">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> It was commanded by Brigadier General George Crook, and had two divisions plus an artillery brigade.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p128-129">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">Crook is listed as a brevet major general in the official records for the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p128">Template:Harvnb</ref> However, he was not promoted to major general until October 21, 1864.<ref name="ABTGeorgeCrook">Template:Cite web</ref></ref> Crook's effectives for the battle consisted of only 4,000 infantry men plus 200 artillerists manning 16 artillery pieces.<ref name="Whitehorne12"/><ref group="Note">The Second Brigade of Crook's 1st Division was in Winchester at the time of the battle, and therefore did not engage.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p128"/></ref> To bolster Crook's small force, a Provisional Division of 1,000 men was attached.<ref name="Whitehorne11-12"/><ref group="Note">Despite the title used by Crook and Sheridan, Crook's force was only the size of a typical division of the time.<ref name="Lewis95"/> Its two divisions, led by colonels instead of brigadier generals, were the size of brigades.<ref name="Lewis95"/></ref> The Provisional Division's "reliability in combat was suspect".<ref name="Wert171">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Confederate

LTG J. Early

BG J. Gordon

Early's Confederate Army of the Valley had an estimated 21,102 effectives.<ref group="Note">The source for Early's 21,102 effectives uses a 10/31/1864 field inspection for infantry, adds Cedar Creek losses, and adds cavalry and artillery.<ref name="Whitehorne15">Template:Harvnb</ref> The American Battlefield Trust says 21,000 Confederate forces were engaged.<ref name="ABTCedarCreek">Template:Cite web</ref> The National Park Service says 15,265 Confederate men engaged.<ref name="NPSCedarCreekBD"/> Another study believes Early had about 14,000 effectives.<ref name="Gallagher9">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> In addition to his troops originally from Army of Northern Virginia's Second Corps, this figure includes over 3,000 men from Kershaw's infantry division, 2,206 men from Rosser's cavalry division after the addition of the Laurel Brigade, and 1,101 artillerists.<ref name="Whitehorne15"/> The Confederate forces were divided into the following:

• Infantry consisted of five divisions. Early's division commanders were Major General Stephen Dodson Ramseur, Brigadier General John Pegram, Major General John Brown Gordon, and Brigadier General Gabriel C. Wharton.<ref name="Whitehorne15"/> Kershaw commanded a fifth division, which was attached from Lieutenant General James Longstreet's First Corps.<ref name="Early433"/> The remainder of Longstreet's First Corps, which was an elite Confederate fighting unit, was not present.<ref name="Wert230">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref name="NPSLongstreetBest">Template:Cite web</ref> Gordon was Early's second–in–command.<ref name="Lewis103">Template:Harvnb</ref>
• Cavalry consisted of two divisions. Major General Lomax commanded his own division, and it consisted of four brigades.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p566">Template:Harvnb</ref> His men were armed with rifles and had no pistols or sabers, making the division more like mounted infantry which could not fight on horseback.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p559">Template:Harvnb</ref> Rosser commanded Fitzhugh Lee's Division, which was composed of three brigades including Rosser's Laurel Brigade.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p567">Template:Harvnb</ref> Rosser had a reputation as one of the most aggressive and successful cavalry commanders in the Army of Northern Virginia, but had never commanded anything larger than a brigade of four regiments.<ref name="Gallagher135">Template:Harvnb</ref> The Laurel Brigade was composed of confident veterans with many victories over Union cavalry.<ref name="Wert161"/>

Disposition of forces and movement to battle

Sheridan ready to leave the valley

Sheridan believed his work was done in the valley, and thought the logistics of bringing his entire army to Gordonsville was too difficult.

After the decisive victory at Tom's Brook, Sheridan and many in the Union Army believed that Early's Confederate army was no longer a threat. The Union army began moving down the valley (northeast) and believed that it would fight elsewhere.<ref name="Wert165-166">Template:Harvnb</ref> While Crook's Army of West Virginia, and the XIXTemplate:NbspCorps, camped near Cedar Creek and Middletown, the VITemplate:NbspCorps was further away on the road to Front Royal. The cavalry divisions of Merritt and Custer were near Fisher's Hill, while Powell's 2nd Cavalry Division occupied Front Royal.<ref name="Wert166">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Because Grant still wanted the Confederate Virginia Central Railroad disabled, two brigades of cavalry from Powell's Division were sent south to attack the railroad lines at Gordonsville and Charlottesville.<ref name="Wert166"/><ref group="Note">Powell's raid lasted from October 11 through October 14. Powell moved through Chester Gap and as far south as Sperryville before returning. This was Template:Convert short of Gordonsville. He captured a member of Mosby's Rangers, who was hanged, and destroyed property.<ref name="DavisB345-346">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref name="Wert167">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> In an order written October 12, Wright's VITemplate:NbspCorps were ordered to depart on the next day through Ashby's Gap for Alexandria, Virginia.<ref name="DavisB346-347">Template:Harvnb</ref> From Alexandria, Sheridan planned to send the VI Corps to reinforce Grant and the Army of the Potomac.<ref name="Starr304">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Hupp's Hill and Sheridan goes to Washington

Concealed from Sheridan's army, Early's troops arrived at Hupp's Hill, just north of Strasburg, on October 13.<ref name="NPSHuppsHill">Template:Cite web</ref> They deployed in battle formation, and began shelling the camp of the XIXTemplate:NbspCorps.<ref name="Wert168">Template:Harvnb</ref> Early's attack was a surprise for the Union infantry, and Crook originally believed the Confederates had sent a small reconnaissance force for the purpose of causing the Union soldiers to reveal their strength and location.<ref name="Lewis96">Template:Harvnb</ref> Colonel Joseph Thoburn's division from the Army of West Virginia moved forward to silence the guns and fought with Kershaw's division at the Abram Stickley farm, which resulted in 209 Union and 182 Confederate casualties.<ref name="Wert169"/><ref group="Note">The Battle of Hupp's Hill is considered a Confederate victory.<ref name="NPSHuppsHill"/> Casualties included Confederate Brigadier General James Conner (severely wounded) and Union Colonel William D. Wells (mortally wounded).<ref name="Wert168"/></ref> The Confederates withdrew through Strasburg to Fisher's Hill in the late afternoon. Sheridan recalled Wright's VITemplate:NbspCorps that evening as a precaution, and they started back to Middletown on OctoberTemplate:Nbsp14.<ref name="Wert169">Template:Harvnb</ref> The engagement was a mistake for Early, as the 9,000 veterans from the VI Corps made a big difference in the battle that would take place six days later.<ref name="NPSHuppsHill"/>

On October 13, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton requested that Sheridan come to Washington to discuss the next objective for Sheridan's army.<ref name="Sheridan60">Template:Harvnb</ref> Grant and Stanton still wanted Sheridan to move his army toward Gordonsville and Charlottesville to threaten Confederate railroad operations. Sheridan continued to argue that the logistics would be difficult.<ref name="Lewis51-52"/> With the skirmish at Hupp's Hill over and Early removed to Fisher's Hill, Sheridan departed for a meeting in Washington on October 15, leaving Wright in command.<ref name="Starr304"/> Sheridan ordered all three divisions of cavalry to accompany him to Front Royal, intending to send them to destroy a Virginia Central Railroad bridge. They arrived near Front Royal on October 16.<ref name="Sheridan62">Template:Harvnb</ref> At that time, Sheridan was notified that Early was sending wig-wag signals implying that Longstreet's First Corps might join him (Early) from Petersburg. This was disinformation on Early's part, hoping that it would induce the Federals to withdraw down the Valley, but instead, Sheridan sent his cavalry back to the infantry camps along Cedar Creek.<ref name="Sheridan63-64">Template:Harvnb</ref> Sheridan and his staff arrived in Washington on the morning of OctoberTemplate:Nbsp17.<ref name="Sheridan66">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Gordon makes a plan

Gordon's plan was a three-column attack

On October 17, Gordon climbed Massanutten Mountain and determined that the Union left was vulnerable, as the Union forces appeared to be relying on the mountain and rivers for defense.<ref name="Starr304"/><ref name="Lewis106">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">Temporary Union commander Wright had failed to follow Sheridan's suggestion that he move Powell's cavalry from Front Royal to Crook's left, leaving the Union left unprotected.<ref name="Starr305">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> Gordon persuaded Early to approve an attack on the Union left flank, and believed they could destroy Sheridan's army.<ref name="Starr306-307">Template:Harvnb</ref> Early's approval was contingent on Gordon finding a concealed route that would enable the Confederate troops to get around the Union left. On the next day, Gordon scouted along the Shenandoah River (North Fork), and found a narrow trail. He presented his findings to Early, and Early approved an attack that would begin on the morning of October 19.<ref name="Lewis107">Template:Harvnb</ref>

The attack would be made before dawn, and would take advantage of the morning fog that normally occurred in the valley. Gordon would lead three divisions in a rear attack on the Union left while Kershaw's Division would attack the front. Wharton's Division and the artillery would attack down the pike, northwest of Kershaw, waiting until the Union artillery was turned toward Gordon and Kershaw. Rosser would move north along Cedar Creek, hoping to keep Union cavalry located on the Union right from coming to assistance on the Union left.<ref name="Starr307">Template:Harvnb</ref> Gordon's force would use the narrow mountain trail to get behind the Union left, which required an evening (October 18) departure time in order to be in position before dawn. A small brigade of cavalry commanded by Colonel William H. F. Payne would move with Gordon with the mission of capturing Sheridan at his headquarters at the Belle Grove Plantation house near Middletown.<ref name="Wert175">Template:Harvnb</ref> Lomax would move via Front Royal to Newtown (later named Stephens City), where he could cut off a Union retreat down the Valley Pike.<ref name="Starr307-308">Template:Harvnb</ref> During the time Gordon had command of the column of three divisions, Brigadier General Clement A. Evans would command Gordon's Division.<ref name="Lewis172">Template:Harvnb</ref> On October 18, the Confederate leaders synchronized their timepieces.<ref name="Starr308">Template:Harvnb</ref> They planned to be in position for the attack at 5:00Template:Nbspam.<ref name="Wert175"/>

Battle

Confederate attacks

map showing Confederate attacks from multiple sides pushing Union troops north

Army of West Virginia was surprised

Early's infantry began to form into three columns on the evening of October 18. Gordon's column consisted of the divisions of Gordon (commanded by Evans), Pegram, and Ramseur, plus Payne's Cavalry Brigade. It had the farthest to march, and departed about 8:00Template:Nbsppm, just after it became dark.<ref name="Wert175"/> The men left behind anything that might rattle, and followed the narrow trail in single file. The other two Confederate columns, commanded by Wharton and Kershaw, departed at about 1:00Template:Nbspam on October 19, and Early rode with Kershaw to Cedar Creek.<ref name="Whitehorne16">Template:Harvnb</ref> As they hoped, the Confederates' quiet approach was aided by the presence of heavy fog. All three columns were in position by 3:30Template:Nbspam.<ref name="Whitehorne16"/> The two Confederate cavalries were also in position. Rosser's dismounted cavalry (less Payne's Brigade), was near the ford at Cupp's Mill.<ref name="Lewis161">Template:Harvnb</ref> His men skirmished briefly with Custer around 4:00Template:Nbspam.<ref name="Whitehorne16"/> Lomax's cavalry was east near Cedarville and Front Royal. His command was as far as Template:Convert from Early's infantry, making cooperation difficult.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p613">Template:Harvnb</ref> Early joined Wharton around 5:15Template:Nbspam.<ref name="Whitehorne17">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Army of West Virginia

Template:Quote box Kershaw's Division attacked the trenches of Thoburn's Union 1st Division around 5:00Template:Nbspam.<ref name="Whitehorne16"/><ref group="Note">Sources vary on the exact time the attacks began. Historian Jeffry Wert wrote that Kershaw attacked around 5:40Template:Nbspam, and Gordon attacked shortly afterwards.<ref name="Wert185">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> Surprise was virtually complete and most of the Army of West Virginia troops were caught unprepared in their camps—many were asleep in their tents.<ref name="Starr308"/> The Union 1st Division lost most of its organization as most of its men fled—if they could.<ref name="Lewis169"/> Its First Brigade, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Wildes, kept two of its three regiments organized.<ref group="Note">Of the nine full infantry regiments present in Thoburn's Division, all were "wrecked beyond temporary repair" except the 116th Ohio and 123rd Ohio.<ref name="Wert183">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> The partial brigade conducted a fighting withdrawal to the Valley Pike that took over 30 minutes.<ref name="Whitehorne16"/> Union Captain Henry A. du Pont, chief of Colonel Crook's artillery, saved nine of his sixteen artillery pieces while he kept them in action as he withdrew toward Middletown.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p413-416">Template:Harvnb</ref> Du Pont's efforts and Wildes's two regiments were only thing (other than fog) slowing the initial Confederate thrust by Kershaw's Division.<ref name="Wert183"/><ref group="Note">Du Pont later received the Medal of Honor and a brevet promotion to lieutenant colonel in the regular army for his efforts at Cedar Creek.<ref name="Wert183"/><ref name="MOHduPont">Template:Cite web</ref></ref> The Union 1st Division commander, Colonel Thoburn, was mortally wounded by Confederate cavalry while trying to rally his troops near Middletown.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p374">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes, commander of the Union 2nd Division, learned of the attack on Thoburn's division only a few minutes before his own division was attacked by a line of seven brigades from Gordon's column.<ref name="Wert185"/> Evans's (Gordon's) Division was on the Confederate left, and Ramseur's Division was on the right.<ref name="Wert185-186">Template:Harvnb</ref> Hayes had two brigades, and only his First Brigade was in formation to receive Gordon's attackers. His Second Brigade, located on his right (southwest), was still in their tents—and then had Thoburn's retreating men racing through their camp. Soon, Hayes's division was also retreating.<ref name="Wert185"/> Most of Hayes's men retreated toward Belle Grove, while most of Thoburn's men retreated northeast down the pike.<ref name="Lewis175">Template:Harvnb</ref> During the retreat, Hayes's horse was killed and he was briefly knocked unconscious. Although injured and almost captured, he escaped.<ref name="Wert186">Template:Harvnb</ref> Further north, Union Colonel J. Howard Kitching's Provisional Division of raw recruits fled after showing little resistance. On horseback, Kitching was wounded in the foot, but continued trying to rally his men.<ref name="Lewis174">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">Colonel Kitching's wound would cause his death in January 1865.<ref name="Lewis174"/></ref> Kitching's 6th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment, coming in from camp near the wagons, supported one of du Pont's batteries.<ref name="Wert186"/> Although the Confederate attacking force from Ramseur's Division suffered minimal casualties, Brigade Commander Cullen A. Battle was seriously wounded. Crook, Hayes, and Kitching regrouped fragments of the two Union divisions near Belle Grove.<ref name="Wert187">Template:Harvnb</ref>

XIX Corps

map showing Confederate attacks pushing Union troops further back while Union cavalry moves east

Confederate attacks pushed back XIX Corps

Unlike Crook's men, the Union XIXTemplate:NbspCorps was not caught totally unprepared. Its 2nd Division, commanded by Brigadier General Cuvier Grover, was planning to undertake a reconnaissance mission at 5:30Template:Nbspam south toward Strasburg.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p322">Template:Harvnb</ref> Around 5:15Template:Nbspam they could hear musket fire near the Army of West Virginia's position, and Grover positioned his men defensively—with the bulk of his men behind fortifications.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p322"/><ref group="Note">The fortification described by the report of Brigadier General Henry W. Birge was called an earthworks.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p322"/> Historian Thomas A. Lewis called the fortification a "formidable breastworks".<ref name="Lewis175"/></ref> The XIXTemplate:NbspCorps began receiving artillery fire from the south and east, and was attacked from those directions by Confederate troops, commanded by Kershaw and Evans, less than one hour after the start of the battle.<ref name="Wert192">Template:Harvnb</ref>

XIXTemplate:NbspCorps Commander Emory received unexpected assistance from Wildes's partial brigade from Crook's Army of West Virginia. In the confusion of battle, Wildes's two regiments had been unable to reunite with Crook and the retreating men from the Army of West Virginia—so they offered assistance to Emory and Wright. When the partial brigade reported, Emory ordered it to attack—which would enable his men to have more time for reorienting the Union lines. Wright led a bayonet charge by Wildes's men and received a bloody wound to his face.<ref name="Lewis173">Template:Harvnb</ref>

The small group of Crook's men at Belle Grove, fortified by some of Emory's men, held its position for about 40 minutes until it was flanked. Their action enabled most of the Union headquarters units and supply trains to withdraw to safety.<ref name="Whitehorne18">Template:Harvnb</ref> In roughly two hours, Early had driven back five Union divisions, captured over 1,300 prisoners, and taken possession of 18 artillery pieces.<ref name="Wert195">Template:Harvnb</ref> With many of Crook's men from the Army of West Virginia and the XIXTemplate:NbspCorps fleeing in disorder, the Union's VITemplate:NbspCorps prepared a defense on a series of ridges further north of the Belle Grove plantation on the north side of Meadow Brook.<ref name="Gallagher62-63">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Early, Gordon, and the VI Corps

map showing Confederate attack against Union VI Corps west of Middletown

Confederate attacks on VI Corps

Sometime between 7:00 and 7:30Template:Nbspam, Early met Gordon on the east side of the Valley Pike near the road that leads to Belle Grove.<ref name="Gallagher64">Template:Harvnb</ref> At that time, Kershaw and Evans were driving toward the camps of the Union VITemplate:NbspCorps, and the Confederate divisions of Pegram and Ramseur were aligned along the west side of the pike north of Early and Gordon's meeting place.<ref name="Wert197">Template:Harvnb</ref> Early later wrote that at the time of the meeting, "...the 19th and Crook's corps were in complete rout, and their camps, with a number of pieces of artillery and a considerable quantity of small arms, abandoned."<ref name="Early444">Template:Harvnb</ref> He also noted that the position of the Union VITemplate:NbspCorps on a ridge west of Middletown was "a strong one", and Wharton's division had been driven back.<ref name="Early445">Template:Harvnb</ref> Early and Gordon had conflicting versions of their meeting, but Early took over command and Gordon returned to his division that had been temporarily commanded by Evans. From Gordon's point of view, he wanted to concentrate an attack on the VITemplate:NbspCorps while Early was satisfied with the day's accomplishments.<ref name="Gallagher64"/> From Early's point of view, he "rode forward on the Pike to ascertain the position of the enemy, in order to continue the attack."<ref name="Early444"/> Wharton's Division, plus artillery, followed Early down (northeast) the pike.<ref name="Wert197"/>

Old picture of man with beard and bow tie

BG G. Getty

Acting Union VITemplate:NbspCorps Commander Ricketts had his men moving to position within 20 minutes of the start of the Confederate offensive.<ref name="Wert198"/> His 3rd Division of Colonel J. Warren Keifer was on the Union right with the 1st Division of Brigadier General Frank Wheaton on its left. Further northeast, the 2nd Division of Brigadier General George W. Getty had marched close to the south side of Middletown.<ref name="Wert196">Template:Harvnb</ref> All three Union divisions were eventually pulled back to a defensive position on the northwest side of Meadow Brook. Some cohesion was lost for this withdrawal, as Ricketts was wounded.<ref name="Wert198"/> The Confederates attacked around 7:30Template:Nbspam, with Kershaw attacking Keifer, and Evans attacking Wheaton.<ref group="Note">Historian Jeffry Wert uses 7:30Template:Nbspam for the attack time, but notes that descriptions of this portion of the battle reflect uncertainty—and few Confederate accounts exist.<ref name="Wert203–204">Template:Harvnb</ref> Joseph Whitehorne uses 7:15Template:Nbspam for Kershaw's attack.<ref name="Whitehorne20">Template:Harvnb</ref> Keifer's report does not list an attack time.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p225-230">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> Although initially repulsed, Kershaw and Evans drove the two Union divisions northwest by 8:00Template:Nbspam.<ref name="Wert204–205">Template:Harvnb</ref> This put two Confederate divisions, Kershaw and Evans, beyond Getty's right. At that time, Getty's 2nd Division became the only organized Union infantry south of Middletown. With no support on his right, Getty moved his division back about Template:Convert to a stronger defensive position at the town cemetery on a partially wooded hill west of Middletown.<ref name="Wert205">Template:Harvnb</ref> For over an hour, Getty's division defended this position against Confederate frontal assaults from the divisions of Ramseur, Pegram, and Wharton.<ref name="Wert211">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">One historian, noted that "Getty was one of the best commanders in the army and his men were some of the finest soldiers."<ref name="Wert205"/> The historian also noted that Ramseur made a mistake by using piecemeal attacks against an entrenched opponent.<ref name="Wert208">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> During this time, Getty assumed command of the VITemplate:NbspCorps because of the wounding of Ricketts, and Brigadier General Lewis A. Grant assumed command of the division.<ref name="Wert208"/> After 30 minutes of artillery fire, Grant finally moved back and rested for 20 minutes. He then moved the division back about Template:Convert, unopposed, where he found support from Union cavalry on his east side.<ref name="Whitehorne20"/>

Union cavalry and Sheridan's ride

painting showing Union general with odd hat riding with flag while men cheer

Sheridan's Ride

Custer and Merritt's Union cavalry divisions were north of the infantry when the Confederate attack began. Although Rosser had skirmished with Custer's men, he appeared tentative and did not press an attack. While waiting for orders, both Merritt and Custer sent their escort companies to the Valley Pike to attempt to stop Union infantry men from fleeing toward Winchester.<ref name="Starr311">Template:Harvnb</ref> Between 9:00Template:Nbspam and 10:00Template:Nbspam, Wright ordered Torbert to move the cavalry from the Union right to the Union left. Leaving three companies from Custer's Division to face Rosser, Custer and Merritt moved to the west side of the Valley Turnpike, about threeTemplate:Nbspquarters of a mile (1.21Template:Nbspkm) northeast of Middletown. Although they faced strong artillery fire, they prevented Early from getting to the rear of the Union army.<ref name="Starr311"/>

On his return trip from the Washington conference, Sheridan spent the night in Winchester on October 18.<ref name="Sheridan66-67">Template:Harvnb</ref> At 6:00Template:Nbspam on October 19, pickets south of Winchester reported to him that they heard the distant sounds of artillery. Sheridan assumed the noise was from Grover's reconnaissance mission, and dismissed the report.<ref name="Sheridan68-69">Template:Harvnb</ref> As additional reports arrived, he ordered the horses to be saddled and ate a quick breakfast.<ref name="Sheridan70-71">Template:Harvnb</ref> By 9:00Template:Nbspam he was riding south to the Valley Pike.<ref name="Sheridan71-72">Template:Harvnb</ref> Sheridan noticed that the sounds of battle were increasing in volume quickly, so he inferred that his army was retreating in his direction.<ref name="Sheridan74-75">Template:Harvnb</ref> He encountered retreating men and wagons less than Template:Convert south of Winchester.<ref name="Starr312">Template:Harvnb</ref> Hearing stories from panic-stricken men that all was lost, he ordered a line set up to intercept stragglers.<ref name="Sheridan76-77">Template:Harvnb</ref> Wright had already begun to organize a defensive line between Newtown and Middletown. Sheridan arrived around 10:30Template:Nbspam and began to rally the men to complete the line.<ref name="Wert223">Template:Harvnb</ref> His presence inspired his soldiers, and one soldier described it as like an "electric shock".<ref name="Whitehorne21">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Early's halt

By 10:00Template:Nbspam, Early believed he had a Confederate victory, after capturing 1,300 Union prisoners and 24 artillery pieces, and driving seven infantry divisions off the field.<ref name="Lewis204">Template:Harvnb</ref> When Early rode into Middletown, he found that the Confederate attack had been stalled by Union artillery and cavalry. Ironically, the main reason two of the Union cavalry divisions were present for the battle was Early's Longstreet ruse from a few days earlier.<ref name="Wert212">Template:Harvnb</ref> Instead of exploiting his victory, Early ordered a halt in his offensive to reorganize, a decision for which he later received criticism from subordinates such as Gordon.<ref name="Starr310">Template:Harvnb</ref>

In a second meeting with Early, Gordon wanted to press the attack against the VI Corps immediately, and later wrote that the "fatal halting...converted the brilliant victory of the morning into disastrous defeat in the evening".<ref name="Wert216"/><ref group="Note">Whitehorne describes the halt as before 10:30Template:Nbspam.<ref name="Whitehorne20"/> Wert states that the pause started close to 10:30Template:Nbspam, but that facts destroy the assertion of a fatal halt.<ref name="Wert216">Template:Harvnb</ref> Bohanan says the fatal halt was the afternoon lull that lasted from 1:00Template:Nbsppm until 4:00Template:Nbsppm.<ref name="Gallagher66">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> Early's main reason for caution was concern over the Union cavalry, which had repeating rifles, on the Confederate flanks.<ref group="Note">With the exception of very-long range fighting, the seven-shot Spencer carbine used by the Union cavalry was a considerable advantage over the single-shot firearms used by the Confederate army.<ref name="SIspencercarbine">Template:Cite web</ref></ref> Another problem was that many of the hungry Confederate troops had stopped to plunder the Union camps abandoned in the early morning attack.<ref name="Gallagher66"/> By 11:30Template:Nbspam, the Confederate line was ready to continue the advance, and Early attacked with Gordon's, Kershaw's, and Ramseur's divisions. After an advance of about one–half mile (0.80 km), the Confederate attack stopped at 1:00Template:Nbsppm.<ref name="Gallagher66"/> Early's reasons for the ending the attack were the same issues causing his caution a few hours earlier: Union cavalry, missing troops that were plundering the Union camps, and exhausted and hungry soldiers.<ref name="Gallagher66"/>

Union counterattack

map showing Union counterattack pushing Confederates back from north of Middletown way back to Cedar Creek

Union counterattack

When Sheridan arrived at the scene of the battle at 10:30Template:Nbspam, he assumed that Early's Longstreet ruse from a few days earlier was true. After interrogating prisoners, he learned that only Kershaw's Division from Longstreet's corps was present. Sheridan also feared that Longstreet was approaching from Front Royal to trap the Union army between Longstreet and Early. Once Sheridan received confirmation (around 3:30Template:Nbsppm) that Longstreet was not near Front Royal, he ordered an attack.<ref name="Lewis223">Template:Harvnb</ref>

The Union counterattack began just before 4:00Template:Nbsppm.<ref name="Wert230"/> Custer's Division was back on the Union far right, further northwest from the main infantry line, facing Rosser. Merritt's Division was on the Union left on the southeast side of the pike.<ref name="Starr316">Template:Harvnb</ref> The XIXTemplate:NbspCorps, with Brigadier General William Dwight now commanding the 1st Division and Grover returning to command the 2nd Division, was on the right of the main Union line.<ref group="Note">Although Dwight had been under arrest, Sheridan reinstated him during the afternoon.<ref name="Wert230"/> Grover, who had been wounded earlier, returned to command for the attack.<ref name="Wert231">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> The VITemplate:NbspCorps was to the left of Grover. Crook's Army of West Virginia was held in reserve close to the turnpike, as support for the VI Corps.<ref name="Wert230"/> Sheridan's plan was for his cavalry to contain the Confederate flanks while the XIXTemplate:NbspCorps turned the Confederate left flank and drove them east of the pike, which would prevent Early's army from using the Valley Pike's bridge across Cedar Creek to escape.<ref name="Starr315">Template:Harvnb</ref>

The Union infantry attack stalled. Dwight overlapped Gordon's left flank but could not push Gordon's Division toward the pike. On Gordon's right, the divisions of Kershaw and Ramseur were positioned behind stone walls and assisted by artillery. Grover's Division and Wright's VITemplate:NbspCorps had little success against them, and Grover was again wounded.<ref name="Wert231-232">Template:Harvnb</ref> On the Union left, Merritt's cavalry made two charges only to be repulsed by Confederate artillery and enfilading fire from enemy infantry that had resisted the advance of the VITemplate:NbspCorps.<ref name="Starr316"/> On Merritt's third charge, bolstered by the VITemplate:NbspCorps moving forward, Confederate troops gave way in disorder.<ref name="Starr316"/> Moments before the Confederate troops fled, Union Colonel Charles Russell Lowell, commander of Merritt's Reserve Brigade located at the Union cavalry's left flank, was mortally wounded at Thorndale Farm.<ref name="LowellThorndale">Template:Harvnb; Template:Cite web; Template:Cite web</ref>

Custer joins the attack

Old picture of American Civil War general with big hat

BG G. Custer

Old picture of mostly clean-shaven American Civil War general with no hat

BG W. Merritt

On the extreme Union right, Custer's First Brigade was engaged in halfhearted fire with Rosser. Custer left his brigade commander with three of his regiments, and took the remaining men from his division toward the infantry attack on his left. He planned to get to the rear of Early's men and secure the Valley Pike at the bridge over Cedar Creek—which would cut off the main Confederate route of retreat.<ref name="Starr316-317">Template:Harvnb</ref> As many of the Confederate soldiers saw Union cavalry moving toward their escape route, they began to panic and retreat.<ref name="Starr317">Template:Harvnb</ref> The appearance of Custer riding toward the creek was a signal for Dwight to resume his infantry attack. The remnants of Gordon's Division, already panicked from Custer's appearance, now had a renewed attack from Dwight and more Union infantry on the Confederate right. Soon most of Gordon's men fled toward the pike, and it caused a domino effect that spread to Kershaw's Division and then Ramseur's.<ref name="Wert234">Template:Harvnb</ref> During this time, Ramseur, who was already wounded, tried to rally his men. His horse was shot dead, and he was mortally wounded.<ref name="Wert235">Template:Harvnb</ref>

While Custer was on the Union right, Merritt's Division was on the Union left. Colonel Thomas Devin's Second Brigade from Merritt's Division took possession of the Cedar Creek bridge before Custer got there, so Custer took his two lead regiments (5th New York and 1st Vermont) to the right of the bridge where they forded the creek and continued chasing the fleeing enemy up (south) the Valley Pike.<ref name="Starr317"/> Near 5:30Template:Nbsppm, the divisions of Wharton, Pegram, and Wofford's Brigade (from Kershaw's Division) were the last Confederate units to across Cedar Creek.<ref group="Note">Wofford was not at the battle because he was recovering from a fall from his horse. Whitehorne identifies the commander of Wofford's Brigade as Colonel Henry P. Sanders.<ref name="Whitehorne13">Template:Harvnb</ref> The Official Records identify the commander, as of October 31, 1864, as Colonel C. C. Sanders.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p913">Template:Harvnb</ref></ref> The fields between Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill were filled with fleeing men, wagons, ambulances, and artillery—all being chased by Union cavalry using sabers.<ref name="Wert236">Template:Harvnb</ref> The situation worsened for the Confederates when a small bridge on the Valley Pike south of Strasburg collapsed, making it impossible to cross with wagons or artillery. Early's army was forced to abandon all of the captured Union guns and wagons from the morning attack, as well as most of its own. Sheridan's pursuit ended at nightfall. The retreating Confederate soldiers gathered temporarily on Fisher's Hill, and moved further south before dawn on the next day.<ref name="Whitehorne21-23">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Casualties

The official report for the Union listed 644 officers and men killed, 3,430 wounded, and 1,591 captured or missing—a total of 5,665 casualties for the Union side of the battle.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p137">Template:Harvnb</ref> Both the VITemplate:NbspCorps and XIXTemplate:NbspCorps had over 2,000 casualties, but the VITemplate:NbspCorps had more killed and wounded. As the principal victims of the surprise attack, the Army of West Virginia had 540 men captured or missing, and 790 of the XIXTemplate:NbspCorps' 2,383 casualties were captured or missing.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p137"/> Crook's Army of West Virginia had two division commanders killed or mortally wounded, colonels Thoburn and Kitching.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p54">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref name="Ainsworth1902p55">Template:Harvnb</ref> Two Union brigade commanders were killed: Brigadier General Daniel D. Bidwell from the VI Corps, and Colonel Charles Russell Lowell from the Cavalry Corps.<ref name="Ainsworth1902p54"/>

Confederate casualties, which are less certain, are estimated to be 320 killed, 1,540 wounded, and 1,050 missing (or captured).<ref name="Wert246">Template:Harvnb</ref> This totals to 2,910, which is far less than the Union casualties. The Confederates also lost 300 wagons and ambulances, and 43 artillery pieces (including 20 Union pieces captured in the morning).<ref name="Wert246"/><ref group="Note">Another source says Early lost "nearly all his transport", 18 Union artillery pieces were recaptured, and 25 to 30 Confederate artillery pieces were captured.<ref name="Starr318">Template:Harvnb</ref> The American Battlefield Trust lists casualty totals of 5,764 for the Union and 3,060 for the Confederates.<ref name="ABTCedarCreekBattlefield">Template:Cite web</ref></ref> The highest ranking Confederate casualty was Major General Ramseur, an infantry division commander, who was mortally wounded and captured by the 1st Vermont Cavalry Regiment.<ref name="Starr321">Template:Harvnb</ref> The Union army captured many more soldiers than the 1,591 count, including some soldiers multiple times, but many prisoners escaped in the darkness while their captors searched for more men.<ref name="Starr318"/> Among those that escaped was Early's artillery chief, Colonel Thomas H. Carter.<ref name="Wert236"/>

Aftermath

Performance and impact

statue of soldier on horse waving his hat

Equestrian statue of Sheridan in Washington, D.C. (pictured in 2006)

Three factors contributed to the initial success by the Confederate army. First, many of the soldiers in the Union army believed the campaign against Early's army was over, which caused a lack of vigilance. Second, the terrain and poor placement of the Union infantry units created a vulnerability that allowed the Confederates to surprise, flank, and outnumber segments of the Union army. Third, Union cavalry was misplaced, leaving open the left flank.<ref name="Wert242">Template:Harvnb</ref> Once the Union cavalry was utilized, it had a crucial role in the Union victory.<ref name="Starr310"/> Cavalry accounted for nearly half (ten of twenty-one) of the Medal of Honor recipients at Cedar Creek, even though it made up only about one fourth of the men present.<ref name="NPSMOHCedarCreek">Template:Cite web</ref> Two days after the battle, Sheridan sought promotions for two cavalry commanders, Merritt and Custer, and one infantry commander, Getty.<ref name="Starr320">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Many people gave Sheridan credit for the Union victory, and he was featured on the cover of Harper's Weekly.<ref name="Starr313">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref name="HarpersSheridan">Template:Cite magazine</ref> It is "beyond dispute" that Sheridan had an electrifying effect on his men when he arrived at the battlefield.<ref name="Starr313"/><ref name="Gallagher23-24">Template:Harvnb</ref> Others believe that Wright deserves much of the credit, as his VI Corps stopped the Confederate attack, and Wright's tactical judgements made it possible for Sheridan to rally his men.<ref name="Starr313"/> Some credit for the Union victory can be given to Confederate leader Jubal Early. Although the early morning Confederate infantry and artillery attack was well-planned and attained total surprise, Early's cavalry was divided and awkwardly placed.<ref name="Lewis162">Template:Harvnb</ref> The Confederate army's relative inactivity after 10:00Template:Nbspam, one of Gordon's complaints, allowed the Union army to reorganize and eventually win the battle.<ref name="Starr313"/> Gordon, the architect of the early morning attack and a critic of Early, received blame from Early for the stalling of the attack. Early claimed that excessive plundering by Gordon's Division depleted his force, and the depletion plus the threat of Union cavalry on his right flank caused the pause in the attack.<ref name="Gallagher77">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Sheridan's victories in the Shenandoah Valley helped boost President Lincoln's re-election campaign to victory in November.<ref name="Wert249">Template:Harvnb</ref> Earlier in August, Lincoln was being advised that his reelection was in doubt.<ref name="NPSLincolnGrantElection">Template:Cite web</ref> The Union army's numerical superiority was in trouble, and the country was tired of the war.<ref name="McPherson719-720">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref group="Note">Many of the Union's soldiers were on three-year enlistments that expired during 1864.<ref name="McPherson719-720"/> Replacing casualties and those that did not reenlist was difficult, and deserters were a problem. In addition, many soldiers were needed simply to guard conquered territory.<ref name="McPherson719-720"/> The political party of Lincoln's opponent in the election, George B. McClellan, wanted to negotiate an end to the war.<ref name="NPSLincolnGrantElection"/> Confederate leaders were aware of these issues, and believed that if the Confederate army could perform well until McClellan was elected, they might be able to negotiate independence.<ref name="McPherson721">Template:Harvnb</ref> Historian Mark E. Neely Jr. believes that if McClellan won, slavery would have continued after the war.<ref name="NPSLincolnGrantElection"/></ref> Lincoln was overjoyed with the victory at Cedar Creek, as it came three weeks before the presidential election.<ref name="Starr319-320">Template:Harvnb</ref> Sheridan enjoyed instant acclaim, and poet Thomas Buchanan Read wrote a popular poem, Sheridan's Ride, that added to the general's fame.<ref name="Wert248">Template:Harvnb</ref> Sheridan's success propelled him to status only eclipsed by Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, and he would eventually become Commanding General of the United States Army.<ref name="Gallagher28">Template:Harvnb</ref> An equestrian statue of Sheridan rallying his men at Cedar Creek, sculpted by Gutzon Borglum, was dedicated in 1908 and stands in Washington, D.C.'s Sheridan Circle.<ref name="DCHSSheridanMemorial">Template:Cite web</ref> Contrasting Sheridan's fame, Early's status declined considerably. He was accused of incompetence and mismanagement, and no longer had the confidence of his subordinates.<ref name="Wert247">Template:Harvnb</ref> Portions of his army were recalled to Richmond.<ref name="Wert250">Template:Harvnb</ref> On March 2, 1865, Early and the remnants of his army were defeated by Custer in the Battle of Waynesboro, and the Army of the Valley ceased to exist. Although Early escaped, his artillery, wagons, and headquarters equipment were captured—and his men were captured, killed, or scattered to the countryside.<ref name="Wert250-251">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref name="NPSWaynesboro">Template:Cite web</ref>

Battlefield preservation

stately-looking large house of gray brick

Belle Grove Plantation House (pictured in 2013)

Portions of the Cedar Creek battlefield are preserved as part of Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, established in 2002.<ref name="NPSCedarCreekhist">Template:Cite web</ref> The park encompasses about Template:Convert across three counties, and has trails, exhibits, and the Belle Grove Plantation Manor House.<ref name="VIFLCedarCreek">Template:Cite web</ref> Belle Grove, built in the 1790s by the brother-in-law of future President James Madison, was listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register on November 5, 1968. It was also listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and as a National Historic Landmark, on August 11, 1969.<ref name="DHRbelleGrove">Template:Cite web</ref> The American Battlefield Trust and its partners have preserved more than 729 acres of the Cedar Creek battlefield in 19 different transactions since 1996.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notes

References

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External links

• Cedar Creek – Belle Grove – American Battlefield Trust
• Animated map of the Battle of Cedar Creek – American Battlefield Trust
• Battle of Cedar Creek – National Park Service
• Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park – National Park Service