Fisher’s Hill

During a council of war on September 20, 1864, Gen. George Crook suggested to Gen. Philip H. Sheridan that the best way to break the Confederate position at Fisher’s Hill would be to attack Early’s western left flank, and Sheridan agreed. While Sheridan ordered most of his army through Strasburg toward Fisher’s Hill on September 21, Crook’s corps remained on the north bank of Cedar Creek until sunset. Crook then marched his command to Hupp’s Hill and stayed there until the following morning, when he began his flanking movement to the west. At about 2 P.M., Crook’s corps reached Back Road near St. Stephen’s Church and began ascending the eastern face of Little North Mountain. By 4:30 P.M., Crook had positioned his two divisions, with Col. Rutherford B. Hayes commanding the right flank and Col. Joseph Thoburn occupying the left. As the attack surged forward from Little North Mountain, the rugged terrain disrupted the organization of the corps, but the men pressed ahead. One veteran recalled that the officers “were here, there, everywhere in the mass, but really were integral parts of a legion of shouting, fighting demons. No orders were given as these veterans knew well what to do.”

Virginia · United States