Sheridan at Winchester was now free to detach troops to aid Grant, or remain quiescent covering the Ohio railroad, or move east of Blue Ridge. He had resisted the demand of the Govern ment, which Grant had endorsed, that Early should be driven through the Blue Ridge back on Richmond. Sheridan pointed out that guerrilla forces were always in his rear, that he would need to reopen the Alexandria railroad as a line of supply, that he must detach forces to hold the Valley and protect the railroads, and that on nearing Richmond he might be attacked by a column sent out by Lee to aid Early.
Early, however, showed great enterprise in following Sheridan down to Strasburg on Oct. 13 "to thwart his purposes if he should contemplate moving across the Ridge or sending troops to Grant." But as his forward position at Fisher's Hill could not be long maintained for want of forage, he resolved to attack Sheridan, who was in a defensive position along the line of Cedar Creek, and on the night of Oct. 18 he sent three divisions under Gordon to gain the enemy's rear, while Kershaw's division attacked his left and Wharton's division and the artillery engaged him in front.
The attack was timed to commence at 5 A.M. on Oct. 19, when Rosser's cavalry was to engage Sheridan's cavalry and that of Lomax was to close the Luray Valley. This somewhat complicated disposition of forces was entirely successful, and Early counted his gains as 1,300 prisoners and 18 guns after routing the Federal corps VIII. and XIX. and causing Wright's corps (VI.) to retire. Yet before nightfall Early's force was in turn routed and he lost 23 guns. Sheridan had been called to Washington to consult Halleck, the "chief of staff," on Oct. 16, in reference to his fu
ture movements ; for Halleck claimed to control Sheridan and often modified Grant's instructions to his subordinate. Before Sheridan could rejoin his army on Oct. 19 Early had attacked and routed it, but Sheridan met the fugitives and rallied them with the cry: "We must face the other way." He resolved to attack as soon as his troops could be reorganized, but, disturbed by reports of Longstreet's coming by the Front Royal road to cut him off at Winchester, hesitated for some hours; however, at 4 P.M. he attacked and drove back the Confederates and so recovered all the ground lost in the morning, and recaptured his abandoned guns and baggage.
After the battle of Cedar creek, Early again retreated. The Federal Government had agreed to Sheridan's proposal to fortify a defensive line at Kernstown and hold it with a detachment while Sheridan rejoined Grant with the main body. In Feb. 1865 the infantry remaining on each side was less than a strong division. Sheridan seized the opportunity to advance with 1 o,000 cavalry. Early delayed this advance with his cavalry, while he evacuated Staunton ; he called up a brigade to defend Lynchburg and proceeded to Waynesboro to await developments. Sheridan feared to advance on Lynchburg leaving Early on his flank and decided to attack Early at Waynesboro ; and on March 2 the Federal commander was rewarded by decisive victory, capturing 1,600 Confederates and their baggage and artillery. Early himself escaped and his cavalry dispersed to their homes in the Valley ; all organized resistance in the Shenandoah Valley came to an end.
(G. W. R.)