Part 11

On the 6th of October orders were given to move; marching back, the valley was now clear of the enemy. As it was feared they would again return, every barn, out-house and hay-stack was burned on the route, to prevent the enemy from subsisting in the valley, as most of the farmers were secesh and helped the guerillas along. It was a splendid sight to see the fires as the troops moved up the valley, from mountain to mountain one continual blaze of fire. Twenty-four miles were made that day, as it was cool, and the men were out of rations; the supply train could not get up, and the valley was stripped by troops continually passing. The troops slept that night in sight of Mount Jackson with nothing to eat. The next day we marched seventeen miles, through Mount Jackson and Woodstock, halting at dark; on the 8th marching twelve miles to Strasburg, passing Fisher's Hill, where the enemy were whipped so badly on the 22d of September. After stripping the valley of the most of their supplies for the rebel army, the troops halted at Strasburg, and took position on the north bank of Cedar Creek.

Having received considerable re-enforcements, Early again returned to the valley, and on the 9th of October encountered our cavalry near Strasburg. Custer with his brigade advanced, and after a brief encounter the enemy captured thirty wagons from General Torbert; the weather was very cold and windy. Our whole force of cavalry now arrived, and the enemy was driven back some distance, with the loss of eleven pieces of artillery, a number of prisoners, and all their wagons, with those captured from Torbert, our forces following them vigorously.

As the valley was supposed to be clear of the enemy, the 6th corps was ordered to Petersburg. Grant had moved several times and had captured the Weldon Rail Road, extending his lines some distance. On the 10th, orders were given to move, marching seventeen miles, passing through Strasburg and Middletown, halting at Front Royal near Manassas Gap. During our stay there, a man was accidentally shot in the Regiment, dying the next day; his name was Ayers, of Co. B. A petition was circulated among the Jersey soldiers to return home and vote; it was signed by the officers, but was not carried through. The Legislature of New Jersey was opposed to it, and used their utmost endeavors to prevent it. While all other troops were allowed to vote in the field, New Jersey was in the hands of the Copperheads, and her soldiers were not allowed the privilege, and with bitter feelings of enmity towards them the soldiers were compelled to stand it.

The troops were now ordered to Petersburg, as there was no sign of the enemy in the valley. On the 13th the corps started from Front Royal. The troops had been in the valley some time, and did not wish to leave. Sheridan was loved by all, and the men were still anxious to be under his command, but positive orders from Grant were that the corps should again join the Potomac army, having been only temporarily detached. The weather was very cold, and visions of earthworks and trenches in front of Petersburg rose vividly before the men, and none wished to go. After marching fifteen miles, passing a place called White Post, the column was ordered to halt, and soon it resounded throughout the line that the order was countermanded. Cheer after cheer was given, and it was noised around that Grant had taken Petersburg, with sixty pieces of artillery and thirty thousand prisoners. The men were very jubilant over the move, as it was believed. Moving back, the troops halted at a very pretty place called Millwood, and the men immediately commenced foraging, as there was provisions in abundance, no troops having ever encamped there. It turned out that Grant's taking Petersburg was a hoax, and instead, Early was moving down the valley, having received considerable re-enforcements. The 8th and 19th corps were compelled to fall back from Fisher's Hill, and encamped on the north bank of Cedar Creek. Soon the deep booming of the cannon was heard at Millwood; at first the men thought it a salute in honor of the great victory, but it proved to be the 8th and 19th corps engaged with Early at Cedar Creek. On the morning of the 14th at 2 o'clock, the corps was ordered to move immediately back the same road to Fisher's Hill, marching twenty miles, and halting in position near Middletown, as the enemy were again in force on Fisher's Hill. All idea of going to Petersburg was now abandoned, as there was enough to attend to in the valley. Early again had a large army and once more confronted Sheridan, this time with both flanks heavily guarded on Fisher's Hill. It was not then known how many troops the enemy had, as their coming was unexpected. Pickets were doubled, and a line of works erected on Fisher's Hill for the purpose of resisting our advance. The troops now moved forward to Cedar Creek and were formed in line as follows: The 8th corps on the extreme left, near Manchuhattan Mountain; the 19th corps next, and the 6th on the right. Every morning the men were routed out early expecting an attack, but none was made, and the vigilance of the men was relaxed; five days the troops remained in camp near Middletown. General Sheridan being on a visit to Grant at City Point, during his absence the army was commanded by General Wright. All was thought secure, and the men began to think the enemy's force comparatively small; but they were in force, and the boys of the Union soon knew it. Early had determined to make one grand effort, and if possible save his reputation and recover all he had lost. Filled with this determination he moved his whole force on the night of October 18th, crossed the mountain in single file which separated the branches of the Shenandoah, forded the north fork, and early on the morning of the 19th, under cover of the darkness and the fog, surprised and turned our left flank, and captured the batteries that infiladed our whole line, some 24 in all; the men were aroused from slumber only to find the enemy in their rear. The 8th corps, panic stricken, fled, leaving all their arms and ammunition in the hands of the enemy; they knew not which way to turn, and hundreds were shot down and numbers captured. The 6th corps, used to such things, rallied, and formed in line near Middletown. By this time the wagons were on the road to Winchester. It was a complete surprise, the troops falling back in confusion five miles. General Wright ordered them to re-form, but with the 8th and 19th corps in full retreat, the 6th could not stand alone, and with the rest were compelled to fall back, but in order. A terrible battle was now fought, and Early, confident of victory, urged on his men, who fought with desperation; and visions of Washington again appeared before them. The spoils that fell in their hands were a great compensation for what they had lost; shelters, rubbers, knapsacks, blankets, and well filled haversacks fell in the hands of the Johnnies, and to their half starved and half clothed bodies were indeed prizes. After falling back five miles our lines were partly rallied and the retreat stopped, but at a fearful loss of life, and our boys were mad, fairly mad to think that after ridding the valley of the enemy as they supposed, and whipping them so badly, they were again in force and our army retreating from them. Where is Sheridan? was the cry, as all seemed to feel that if he was near the tide of battle would be turned in our favor. Soon a cloud of dust was seen on the road; far in the distance, and with thunder tread, came the well-known horse, carrying with it its rider, the brave Sheridan; reaching the disordered line he inquired for General Wright. The men soon knew that Sheridan was near, and all felt confident of success. When the battle commenced he was at Winchester, but he arrived in time to arrange the lines and repulse a heavy attack of the enemy. The 8th and 19th corps were now partially rallied and formed in line, with the 6th corps in the centre, immediately assuming the offensive and attacking the enemy in turn. After considerable maneuvering Sheridan ordered a charge, and the enemy in turn were driven back with great slaughter, with the loss of their trains and artillery and the trophies captured during the morning. Had not Sheridan arrived as he did, all would have been lost. The cavalry under Custer were sent on their flank, driving them pell mell across Cedar Creek, slaughtering them like sheep. Sixty-one pieces of artillery were captured from them and eight thousand prisoners. Our success was complete, though our loss was heavy, and victory crowned our arms. Capt. McKnight's battery lost four pieces, and nearly all their horses were killed or wounded. The 14th regiment was commanded by Captain Janeway and lost heavily. Adjutant Burroughs Rose was killed; he was formerly a private, and for gallant conduct had been promoted from one position to another until he received his commission as Adjutant, in place of Buckalew, who had resigned on account of wounds received at Monocacy; he was a fine officer, and his loss could not easily be supplied.

The wreck of the rebel army escaped during the night, and fled in the direction of Staunton and Lynchburg, and pursuit being made by the cavalry to Mount Jackson, hundreds of them were captured. The battle of Cedar Creek will long be remembered by the 6th corps. At first driven back with severe loss, they in turn rallied, and to the brave 6th corps will be attributed the tide of battle turning in our favor; for, had they retreated in such confusion as the other corps, the enemy would have been victorious. But the Wilderness, and those hard-fought battles of the Potomac army, were lessons not easily forgotten, and the 6th corps, as usual, was ready for any emergency. The 2d division lost heavily in men, more so than the rest, as our lines fell back. The enemy had stripped our dead and wounded as they lay on the field, and when our men recovered their lost ground they were seen lying as they fell, stark naked, and cold in the embrace of death. Such scenes only made our men fight the harder, and Early paid dearly for his boldness in surprising us in the morning. The rebel General, Ramsuer, was mortally wounded and fell in our hands a prisoner. He died at the headquarters of General Sheridan, and his remains were sent South by way of City Point. Thus ended the enemy's last attempt to invade the North via the Shenandoah valley; and Early, with his demoralized and disheartened troops, was seen no more in that vicinity. Ninety pieces of artillery had been taken from them at different times in the valley, and with ten pieces of artillery, and about ten thousand men, they reached Staunton, and all but one brigade were transported to Richmond, there to take part in the subsequent battles near Petersburg. Our forces encamped in their old position, and the next day engaged in burying the dead, the ground being covered with both Union and Rebel soldiers. The field was hotly contested by our men, and although surprised they were not whipped. General Sheridan rode along the lines and was cheered by the men. General Ricketts was temporarily placed in command of the 6th corps, and was severely wounded early in the day. He was the best division commander in the service, and when the men heard of his wound, all were anxious for his safety. The papers spoke of him in the highest praise as an excellent and able general. The following is an extract from Harper's Weekly, which is quoted for the benefit of those who knew him well:

General James B. Ricketts, wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, is a native of New York, from which State he was appointed a Cadet to West Point in 1835. He graduated in 1839 with the grade of 2d Lieutenant of artillery; in 1846 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and in August, 1852, was appointed Captain, having since 1849 occupied the position of Regimental Quarter Master.

General Ricketts was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run and taken prisoner. For distinguished service in that battle he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and in nearly all the Virginia campaign he has commanded a division. His division of the 6th corps was in July last detached from the army of the Potomac and sent to Harper's Ferry, taking part in the battle of Monocacy and in all the subsequent battles in the Shenandoah Valley. In General Sheridan's absence, General Wright assumed command of the army of the Valley; his place at the head of the corps was occupied by General Ricketts, who was wounded in the early part of the battle on the 19th, and was for some time supposed to be in a dying condition. If his wound should indeed prove a mortal one, the country will have lost a very able officer.

General Sheridan had again immortalized his name. As he came down the pike, he exclaimed to the men: "Join your commands, boys, I'll wax h--l out of them before night." At the sight of him our men pressed forward with their usual impetuosity, and soon the Johnnies were in full retreat. Thus a decisive battle was gained, which, but for the timely arrival of General Sheridan, would have resulted in disaster. The troops again entered camp, the tents on a line, with the cavalry in pursuit of the flying enemy far up the valley. General Custer succeeded in recapturing the colors lost by the 15th New Jersey; their color-bearer being killed, it fell into the hands of the enemy. He complimented the men for their bravery, telling them not from cowardice, but through accident, they were lost, and that he was very much gratified to return them.

The weather was now very cold, and there were yet no signs of Winter quarters. Nearly six months had passed since the troops crossed the Rapidan, and what had been accomplished? Lee was driven step by step from his stronghold in the Wilderness, flanked several times by Grant, until he was within the fortifications of Richmond, his supplies cut off, and closely besieged by Grant. Sherman had driven Johnson and his successor, Hood, whipping them in every battle, and finally capturing Atlanta, their stronghold, in the very heart of the Confederacy. Early had been whipped in four pitched battles by Sheridan, and driven far up the valley to Staunton, his artillery nearly all captured and his army completely routed, and everything that an army could subsist on in the valley destroyed. Price, in Missouri, had been driven in confusion, and was in full retreat, followed by Rosecrans. The Copperheads North, defeated in their every scheme, the soldiers now looked for the re-election of Lincoln, and for a speedy termination of the war.

It was now currently reported that Longstreet had succeeded Early, and with thirty-five thousand men was again advancing up the valley. The troops lay in camp at Middletown nineteen days, and it was discovered the enemy had left the valley. On Nov. 6th the troops were ordered back in the direction of Winchester, but the morning being very cold and frosty the order was countermanded. On the 8th the election for President was held in the various camps; the people of New Jersey had denied their soldiers that privilege, and with bitter curses toward them, the men lay quietly in camp. McClellan was scarcely thought of, and the votes for Lincoln were far ahead. New Jersey had long been considered as disloyal, and had she been one of the border States, would long ago have seceded. Staunch old Maryland stood firm, and was far more loyal than Jersey. But the rule of the Copperheads was of short duration, and when the war was ended, and the boys in blue returned to their homes, they were soon ruled out and their places filled by loyal men.

On the 9th of November the orders to move were again given, marching ten miles, and passing for the last time Middletown and Newtown, halting at Kurrentown, a very nice place; wood plenty, but water scarce. The enemy's cavalry had again advanced, under their leader, Rosser, and attacked our out-posts, but after considerable skirmishing they were driven back in confusion and retired during the night. The papers now arrived, and the re-election of Lincoln was hailed by the soldiers with joy, as the majority of them were in favor of him. Many of the men now commenced to build Winter quarters, and log huts were rapidly erected, with chimneys built of sod. Officers and men were uncertain what to do, as no orders were given to build Winter quarters.

Nothing of importance occurred during the month of November; as usual rumors were plenty. The different regiments were detailed to guard the supply trains to and from Martinsburg, our base of supplies, as the guerillas still infested the route. A railroad was commenced, and was soon built from Halltown to Winchester, and was heavily guarded by the 8th corps. Winchester now became a lively place, as Sheridan's headquarters were there.

The 6th corps was reviewed by General Sheridan, and preparations were again made to leave, as orders from Grant were to send the 6th corps to Petersburg. The review was witnessed by the people of the surrounding country; the day was not pleasant, but rainy and disagreeable. General Sheridan took a farewell leave of the men, thanking them for their bravery, and was sorry to see them leave; to the 6th corps the praise of saving Washington was given. The men gave three rousing cheers for Sheridan and the Shenandoah Valley; he then rode to his headquarters, and the troops dispersed to their various camps. Their work in the valley was over, and they were to again join the Potomac army, to take part in the final drama--the capture of Richmond. Since leaving Petersburg, the troops had in five months fought five pitched battles, each time victorious, and had marched nearly 1,000 miles, a record that no other corps in the army could boast of. The men deserved the praise which was awarded them.

On the 1st of December the 1st division moved, and was placed on cars at Winchester for Washington. It was now certain the corps was to leave and Winter quarters were abandoned. On the 3d, the 3d division followed the 1st, General Wright having gone the previous day. The division marched ten miles, taking the cars at Stephenson Station and riding one hundred and forty-two miles on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, again passing Monocacy Bridge; it being night the men were mostly asleep; arrived at Washington on Sunday morning. But a few months before, when the city was in danger and the troops were hurried from City Point, the people flocked to see them and cheer them on their way, now scarcely a sound was heard, Washington was out of danger. The 6th corps was again to return to City Point, and by the people their hardships in the valley were forgotten; they passed scarcely noticing the men, and without a reception of any kind the troops were placed on transports for City Point. The weather had changed and was as warm and as mild as spring. The troops were furnished with three days' rations, and by three o'clock were all on board. The 14th was placed on transport Keyport, passing Fortress Monroe, and arriving at City Point at 11 o'clock on Monday morning, riding on Grant's railroad sixteen miles. This track is laid on the ground without grading and runs up hill and down in range of the enemy's shells. The corps was to take the quarters of the 5th corps, they moving on a reconnoissance to Weldon, North Carolina, for the purpose of cutting the Southside railroad, and as much of the enemy's communications as possible. The regiment had been in the middle department nine months, lying at Monocacy Bridge; in the Potomac army one year; and in the valley five months, and now back in the Potomac army again. The 5th corps' quarters were on the Weldon railroad that had been captured at an immense loss of life. There were now but two roads leading into Richmond, the Southside road and the Danville road, which were now aimed for, and as soon as the 6th corps arrived, the 5th with two divisions of cavalry, moved out to Hatcher's Run, on the Boydton plank road. They did not wish to leave their quarters, but were glad to see the 6th corps come back and willingly gave up their quarters to them. The troops halted until morning, and then occupied the tents vacated by the 5th corps. The headquarters of the 3d division was in a pretty place, having been fitted up with considerable care, but the quarters of the men were very poor, being put up in the Fall with no intention of remaining.

The troops remained in quarters but one day, when they were ordered to the support of the 5th corps, which had attacked the enemy at Weldon, destroying thirty miles of the Southside road, and burning a large amount of rations, besides capturing a number of prisoners and contrabands. The division returned the next day, having marched but ten miles, the 5th corps needing no assistance. It was snowing hard, and the men suffering severely lying out in the storm. Both armies now confronted each other for a distance of forty miles, with works in some places but a few rods apart, but every precaution was taken to prevent a surprise. The men from both sides were on friendly terms, talking with each other and exchanging papers. In front of Petersburg was a fort named Fort H--l from its close proximity to the rebels. Firing from this fort was incessantly carried on day and night, and the men gave it that name as it was continually under fire, killing numbers daily.

Winter quarters were now fairly established, the men fixing up the old tents very comfortably. Cold weather had now commenced and rainy days were frequent; furloughs were granted the men from ten to twenty days, large numbers visiting their homes. General Sherman was moving through the heart of Georgia. His campaign is familiar to my readers, and as the 14th was in the Potomac army, it is not necessary to give an account of Sherman's march. It was supposed by the men that the armies of Grant and Sheridan would be consolidated in time, but all ideas of soon moving were abandoned, as the roads were almost impassable, while Sherman was farther south and able to move with his heavy trains, living on the country. It was the main object of Grant to hold Lee in check to prevent him from re-enforcing Johnson, and in time to sever all communication from Richmond, compelling Lee to retreat farther south or to surrender. By frequent moving he had extended his lines some distance, thereby weakening the enemy's lines considerably. They were getting short of rations, as Sherman was cutting their railroads in every direction. A vast amount of supplies was stored at City Point for the use of our armies; sutlers were in abundance and City Point in reality soon became a city. The headquarters of General Grant were on a hill near the river. Immense guns and fortifications were seen in all directions, fully manned by men, while it was with difficulty that the enemy could raise enough men to fill their works. Pickets and videttes from each side were but a few rods apart, and frequently conversed with each other. The battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg were forgotten, and no one would ever think that those men who now were so friendly with each other, had ever engaged in terrible strife on the field of battle. The men from Early's command were in front of the 3d division, and when on picket the scenes of the valley were often talked of, but always with bitterness on the side of the enemy. Our boys would cry out, "Halloo, Johnny Reb., did you get enough of the valley?" Johnny replies, with his fingers up to his nose, "Do you Yanks see anything of the South-side railroad?" Our men had been aiming for that, but had failed repeatedly.