CEDAR CREEK. A stream in Shenandoah County, Va., falling into the Shenandoah River. On its banks, on October 19, 1864, during the Civil War, a Confederate force under General Early completely surprised Sheridan's army at daybreak, during its leader's absence. and forced it to retreat in considerable disorder back through Middletown: but about 10 o'clock the cavalry and part of Wright's corps (the Sixth) su••emhul in checking the advance of the Con federates. General Sheridan, who was just re turning from 'Washington, was at Winchester when the firing began, but hastened to the front, and, rallying his troops, ordered a counter charge at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Many of the Confederates had left their rank; to plunder the Federal camp, and in turn they broke and tied and were pursued as far as Fish •r's Ili11. Next day the retreat Wit, continued to New Market. Sheridan's forces then returned to Kernstowu for winter quarters. Sheridan had
about 3E000 troops, and 18,500. The Federal loss was fill killed, 3430 wounded, 1599 missing ; the Confederate. :320 killed, 15 fo 01111dVd, 1050 missing. Sheridan recaptured his lost gulls and 23 of Early's. This battle ended the last attempt on the part of the Con federates to strike the North through the Shenandoah Valley. Sheridan's fa mous ride from \Vinchester, his enthusiastic reception at the hands of his troops, and his remarkable suc cess in turning a disastrous rout into a brilliant victory, form, perhaps, the most dramatic epi sode of the Civil War. They have furnished the theme of a stirring poem Icy T. Buchanan Read, •'Sheridan's Ride." Consult Pond, The ..4henau doah Pulley in 1564 (New York, IS831 ; and Sheridan, Personal Memoirs (3 vols., New York, MSS).