On October 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan stood north of the creek around Belle Grove when Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early launched a dawn attack. Three divisions under Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon crossed the Shenandoah at Bowman’s and McInturff’s Fords to strike the left flank of George Crook’s Eighth Corps, while Kershaw’s Division assaulted Crook’s trenches and Wharton’s Division moved against Cedar Creek Bridge. The Confederate attack shattered much of Crook’s Corps, drove hard against Emory’s Corps, and pushed the fighting through the Belle Grove area as elements of Wright’s Sixth Corps tried to form successive lines. Getty’s Division delayed the advance near Middletown before retiring to a new Federal line farther north, and the Confederate attack halted north of the town. By late morning Early stopped to reorganize despite objections, and at about 10:30 a.m. Sheridan arrived from Winchester, restored confidence, and completed a new line with cavalry on both flanks, Wright’s and Emory’s Corps in front, and Crook’s Corps in reserve. In the afternoon the Federal counterattack began after skirmishers were driven in, and fierce fighting north of Middletown gave way when Gordon’s thinner western line broke and Custer’s cavalry struck for Early’s rear. Panic spread through the Confederate line, the retreat became a stampede, and although Confederate artillery and a few infantrymen fought delaying actions at the morning Federal positions and at Hupp’s Hill, Early lost control. A broken bridge at Spangler’s Mill jammed the retreat and forced abandonment of captured wagons and twenty-four cannon. Early’s shattered forces gathered at Fisher’s Hill and withdrew southward, breaking Confederate military power in the Valley.

Photo: Bradley Owen

Photo: Bradley Owen

Strasburg, Virginia · USA