![]() They heard the whistle of innummerable bullets, the yelping of the enemy, but could not see exactly where they were, or from what point attacked. Officers present at the time can give only a meagre account of it. The panic that followed it is impossible to describe. CROOK was taken entirely by surprise so complete, indeed, was it, that few or no men were in the line of earthworks in fact, they could have made but a poor defence had they been there, for a galling fire was poured in upon their flank. No doubt the facts will be ascertained in the proper quarter, and due punishment meted out for any neglect of duty. Whether these statements are wholly true or not it is not material to inquire here. Others were quietly captured, the fog being so dense that one man could not see another at a distance of ten feet. ![]() Some of the pickets allege that they were regularly relieved by rebel officers and men dressed in our uniform. A dense fog enveloped the whole surrounding country as if in a mantle, which enabled the enemy to make the movement unperceived. CROOK's command, and very near the advanced pickets. Prisoners captured during the day state that KERSHAW's rebel division of infantry and one brigade of cavalry, crossed Cedar Creek at about midnight on the night of the 18th inst., at two points, the principal force being massed opposite the left of Gen. CROOK's whole command, the the Second Division of which occupied a line of works to the rear and right (nearer the pike) of the First Division. Almost simultaneously with this rapid firing commenced along the whole line, and heavy volleys of musketry were poured in upon the left of Gen. THOBURN,) to the left of the pike, and half a mile more advanced than the Nineteenth Corps' front. CROOK's, Kanawha Corps, (sometimes called the Eighth,) advanced division, (the First, Col. At a little later hour, not far from 4 o'clock A.M., picket firing commenced in front of the Nineteenth Corps, on the right and near the Manchester and Sharpsburgh pike brisk at first, for a few minutes, then it almost ceased a few minutes elapsed when firing was heard in front of Maj.-Gen. The firing soon ceased, and the army was not aroused from its slumbers, because the impression prevailed that the enemy were only feeling our lines. POWELL, was attacked near Front Royal by a considerable force of cavalry and infantry. Wednesday morning, the 19th inst., a similar demonstration was made on the right, and at about the same hour AVERILL's division, now commanded by Col. MARCY, a majority of whom subsequently escaped, and returned to camp. At several points the enemy "felt" our lines on the mornings of the 17th and 18th, and in one instance captured or dispersed, on the right, a squad of twenty of the First Connecticut Cavalry, under Maj. Our line practically extended from the Little North Mountain on the right, near Snyder's Gap, southeasterly to near Front Royal, thus following the general direction and course of Cedar Creek, and protecting every avenue of approach on front or flanks. Extensive preparations had been made to meet this terrible onslaught by the construction of earthworks at every practicable point, with the same obstructions in front pickets were strengthened and frequent reconnoissances were made. DAVIS to EARLY, that the Union army in the valley of Virginia must be crushed at all hazards - else the rebellion was a failure. ![]() SHERIDAN indeed positive orders had been issued by JEFF. ![]() ![]() The enemy, reinforced by a portion of LONGSTREET's command, it was believed for several days previous to the 19th, that they were preparing to make a desperate attempt to crush the army of the Middle Military Division under the command of Maj.-Gen. My dispatch during the action, and letter forwarded just after nightfall, necessarily not only contained many inaccuracies as to facts, but were imperfect in other respects.Īs I had unusual opportunities afforded me for witnessing the contest at different points, I therefore shall attempt a record of the whole scene, giving such additional particulars as may be recalled at this more peaceful hour, and such as haye been communicated to me by others whose statements I deem reliable. 19, 1864, will be recorded in history as one of the most remarkable that has thus far taken place in this rebellion. The battle of Cedar Run, on Wednesday, Oct. ![]()
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