Philip Sheridan At Cedar Creek, Virginia
By Henry Cabot Lodge
The narrative of Philip Sheridan at Cedar Creek, Virginia, unfolds as a dramatic crescendo within the broader symphony of the American Civil War. It is a tale of audacity, resilience, and the potent impact of leadership in the face of near-catastrophic defeat. This engagement, fought on October 19, 1864, not only showcased Sheridan’s tactical brilliance but also cemented his legendary status in American military history.
In August 1864, General Philip H. Sheridan assumed command of the Army of the Shenandoah, heralding a new era of aggressive campaigning in the crucial Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The Valley, a fertile breadbasket for the Confederacy and a strategic corridor for invasion, had become a fiercely contested ground. Sheridan’s arrival signaled a shift in Union strategy, aiming to neutralize the Valley’s resources and decisively defeat Confederate forces operating within its borders.
Sheridan quickly demonstrated his offensive capabilities. He achieved significant victories against Confederate General Jubal A. Early at Winchester and Fisher’s Hill. These victories were complemented by General Alfred Torbert’s success against General Thomas Rosser, a rout so complete it became known as the "Woodstock Races." Sheridan’s initial plan involved consolidating his gains north of Staunton and then implementing a scorched-earth policy, rendering the Valley unusable for the Confederacy. The intention was to deprive the Confederate army of vital supplies and logistical support. Following this, Sheridan intended to move his army to join General Ulysses S. Grant in the siege of Petersburg.
However, diverging opinions emerged regarding the optimal strategy. Grant and authorities in Washington favored pursuing Early into Eastern Virginia, a proposition Sheridan considered strategically unsound. This difference of opinion prompted Sheridan to travel to Washington D.C. on October 16th, leaving General Horatio Wright in command at Cedar Creek, to personally discuss the matter with General Henry W. Halleck and the Secretary of War.
Sheridan’s journey to Washington was swift. He arrived on the morning of the 17th, departed at noon, and returned to Martinsburg by nightfall. After spending the night in Martinsburg, he rode to Winchester the following day, arriving in the afternoon of the 18th. He received reports indicating quiet along the front at Cedar Creek. Believing the situation stable, he retired for the night, planning to rejoin his army the next day. Little did he know that the dawn would bring a rude awakening and thrust him into the crucible of battle once more.
The morning of October 19th shattered the illusion of tranquility. At approximately six o’clock, the distant rumble of artillery fire reached Sheridan in Winchester. Initially dismissed as a minor skirmish due to its irregular nature, the persistent sound soon raised alarms. A second officer reported the continued firing, although it still didn’t suggest a full-scale engagement. Despite this, Sheridan felt a growing unease. After breakfast, between eight and nine o’clock, he mounted his horse and began riding towards Cedar Creek. As he reached the edge of Winchester, the unmistakable roar of sustained artillery fire confirmed his worst fears. A major battle was underway, and the escalating intensity suggested a Union retreat.
Crossing Mill Creek, just outside Winchester, Sheridan ascended a rise, and the full scope of the disaster unfolded before him. A scene of utter chaos greeted his eyes: hundreds of wounded men, alongside even more unwounded but demoralized soldiers, clogged the road, intermingled with baggage wagons and supply trains, all fleeing in disarray. The Army of the Shenandoah, it seemed, was collapsing.
Fugitives confirmed the grim reality: the army was broken, in full retreat, and all was lost. Sheridan, however, refused to accept defeat. He immediately dispatched orders to Colonel Edwards, commanding a brigade in Winchester, to deploy his troops across the valley, forming a barrier to halt the fleeing soldiers. His initial thought was to establish a defensive line at Winchester. However, as he observed the unfolding debacle, a bolder plan took shape in his mind.
Sheridan understood the deep-seated confidence his troops held in him. He resolved to harness this trust, restore order to the shattered ranks, and transform the retreat into a counteroffensive. Instead of simply holding Winchester, he would rally his army and lead them back to Cedar Creek. The news that his headquarters at Cedar Creek had been captured and the troops scattered only strengthened his resolve.
With a small escort of approximately twenty men, Sheridan spurred his horse and rode rapidly towards the front. As he passed the throngs of retreating soldiers, recognition sparked in their eyes. They threw their hats into the air, shouldered their muskets, and began following him on foot. Officers rode alongside the road, spreading the word that their general had returned. The news surged through the retreating masses, and men in every direction turned back towards the battlefield they had abandoned.
Sheridan recounted his ride in his memoirs, stating, "I said nothing, except to remark, as I rode among them, ‘If I had been with you this morning, this disaster would not have happened. We must face the other way. We will go back and recover our camp.’" He pressed onward, covering the twenty miles with incredible speed, as the ranks behind him swelled with returning soldiers.
The despair of the retreat gave way to a renewed fighting spirit. Sheridan had correctly gauged the power of morale and his ability to ignite it. He pushed towards the front lines until he encountered Getty’s division of the 6th Corps, which, along with the cavalry, was the only unit maintaining its position and resisting the Confederate advance. Getty’s division was positioned about a mile north of Middletown, on a slight rise, engaged in skirmishes with Confederate pickets. Sheridan, leaping over a rail fence, rode to the crest of the hill. As he removed his hat, the men rose from behind their barricades, cheering wildly in recognition.
From that moment, Sheridan acted with decisive energy. He brought up the 19th Corps and the remaining two divisions of Wright’s command to reinforce the line. He communicated with Colonel Lowell, whose dismounted cavalry was holding its ground near Middletown, inquiring if he could maintain his position. Lowell’s affirmative response provided crucial stability to the Union line. These orders, delivered with urgency and precision, bought valuable time as the Union army reformed its ranks. Sensing the impending Confederate attack, Sheridan rode along the line, ensuring every soldier could see him. His presence ignited a surge of enthusiasm, restoring the army’s morale. The Confederate attack, launched shortly after noon, was met with fierce resistance and ultimately repulsed by General Emory.
Following this repulse, Sheridan focused on consolidating his line. General Merritt led a successful charge against an exposed Confederate battery, further disrupting the enemy’s advance. By 3:30 PM, Sheridan was ready to launch a counterattack. The very men who had fled in panic that morning, rallied by their general’s presence, were now back in their positions. With the order to advance, the entire Union line surged forward.
The Confederates initially resisted fiercely, but the momentum had shifted. They began to retreat. As they fell back past Cedar Creek, towards Fisher’s Hill, Merritt and Custer launched a devastating flank attack, routing the Confederate army and driving them back up the Valley. The day, which had begun in disaster and defeat, culminated in a resounding Union victory. The magnitude of the turnaround can only be appreciated by considering the desperate situation that existed before Sheridan’s arrival from Winchester.
In Sheridan’s absence, General Jubal A. Early had launched a surprise attack on the Union army at Cedar Creek at dawn. The attack caught the Union troops unprepared, leading to a widespread collapse and panic. Only Getty’s division and Lowell’s cavalry maintained their composure and held their ground at Middletown. The rest of the army was in full retreat.
Sheridan’s first instinct upon encountering the retreating army was to rally them at Winchester. However, his second thought, the mark of a great commander, was to leverage the confidence his men placed in him. He recognized the power of enthusiasm as a potent weapon and understood that this was the moment to unleash it. Abandoning the idea of forming a defensive line at Winchester, he rode bareheaded through the fleeing soldiers, waving his hat and urging them to follow him. The sight of their general galvanized the men, who turned and rushed after him.
Sheridan’s reliance on personal enthusiasm was not a reckless gamble. Upon reaching the battlefield, he immediately set to work with the cool precision of an experienced soldier, making the necessary dispositions to first repel the enemy and then launch an irresistible counterattack. Division after division was brought into line, filling the gaps created by the earlier rout. By noon, after two hours of relentless effort, Sheridan had reformed his army and prepared them for battle. Many of the officers and men believed he had only just arrived, unaware of the immense work he had accomplished in such a short time.
Once on the battlefield, the desperate ride from Winchester transformed into a methodical restoration of the Union line. After repelling the Confederate assault and thwarting their ability to retake the offensive, Sheridan resisted the temptation to rush into a premature counterattack. He waited two hours, meticulously preparing his army for the decisive moment. With his ranks restored and his army positioned for attack, he launched his counteroffensive, securing one of the most significant victories of the war. Through his leadership and ability to inspire his troops, Sheridan snatched victory from the jaws of surprise, disaster, and defeat. The victory at Philip Sheridan at Cedar Creek, Virginia cemented his place in history.
The legacy of Philip Sheridan at Cedar Creek, Virginia extends beyond the battlefield. It serves as a testament to the importance of leadership, resilience, and the human spirit in overcoming adversity. The events of that day underscore the profound impact a single individual can have on the course of history, transforming a seemingly inevitable defeat into a resounding triumph. The tale of Philip Sheridan at Cedar Creek, Virginia continues to inspire generations of soldiers and leaders.
Philip Sheridan at Cedar Creek, Virginia is a story of remarkable transformation.
Philip Sheridan at Cedar Creek, Virginia stands as a powerful example of turning the tide of war.
The narrative of Philip Sheridan at Cedar Creek, Virginia is a study in leadership under pressure.
About the Author: Sheridan at Cedar Creek was written by Henry Cabot Lodge and included in the book he wrote with Theodore Roosevelt called Hero Tales From American History, published in 1895. Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander.
Sheridan at Cedar Creek inspired repulsed battalions to engage and taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
—Addison
Also See:
General Philip H. Sheridan – Civil War Hero & Ruthless Tyrant
Historical Accounts of American History
People of the Civil War
The Civil War (main page)