Battle of Cedar Creek

General Philip Sheridan defeated General Jubal Early here for the third time in 30 days. Sheridan’s pursuit of Confederates from Fisher’s Hill halted at Mount Crawford, and on his return he encamped his three corps in this immediate area. Early followed the Federals, arriving at Fisher’s Hill October 13. Scarcity of food and forage forced him to decide on attack or withdrawal, and he chose to take the offensive despite the odds. At 4:30 a.m. on the 19th, General J. B. Gordon began the Confederate attack, completely surprising the sleeping Federals. By 10:30 a.m. Early had driven them beyond Middletown in rout. Sheridan was not with his troops when the battle began, but made a hasty ride from Winchester to reach the battlefield in the middle of the morning. Rallying his men, he repulsed a Confederate thrust and launched a smashing counterattack at 4:30 p.m. that drove the Confederates from the field in disorder. The Valley remained thereafter under Federal control.

Middletown, Virginia · United States