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164	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
the right of the 6th Corps, though a great part had gone and could not be rallied. I did not see but two stands of colors in our whole corps, and those were the 10th Va. (loyal) and the 54th Pa. We were badly used up, but what remained was good stuff. The enemy had already pushed us three miles and taken 24 cannon from us; everything seemed gone and they were coming on, exulting and cheering for Penna. and “My Maryland.” I think that or something else certainly must have nerved our men, for when they came up we gave them a bloody repulse and stood like stones: followed it by another which sent him back to reform his broken columns, when who should come up at this time, his horse covered with foam, but SHERIDAN, and then we knew that everything would be right. I never in my life saw such enthusiasm in an almost defeated army, and when he said, “Now I'll whip him worse than ever,” no one doubted it.     At three o'clock the attack from us began and then I think the enemy discovered who was there, for it was the old style; everything advanced and began to fight at once, overwhelming and crushing, and the sun that raised fiery and red that morning went down on a scene of blood – but victorious for us, the cost is not counted. The enemy were routed worse than ever, losing fifty pieces of artillery, wagons, caissons, etc. Since this defeat he has not been heard of.     Our brigade went to Woodstock yesterday and returned in the evening, meeting with but a few cavalry and bringing in some of our wounded left there by the enemy; how long matters will remain this way depends entirely on whether he will try another election tour again or not. There is one thing that is as certain as fate, whether our people know it or not; I know this to be true, and only hope they may never succeed in reaching the Potomac again, for once they cross that stream again they will pay respect to nothing – this valley has been made almost uninhabitable within the last month. * * *     Our present position is such that it is hard to understand – it was thought at first that the army would move back to Martinsburg, but now it looks as if it would remain at this point, covering Winchester. Nothing has been seen of Early's army since the 19th of October, but such is the nature of the country that we are not apt to know much of anything until a hostile shell bursts over camp by way of introduction. Several of such we have lately and I assure you they are not pleasant to persons of backward disposition. I was a little apprehensive at times that they would try to raise an election riot and more than once looked out towards Fisher's Hill, but all remained quiet and as the boys say they have no more iron pots and canned fruit to throw at us.     Since the battle of October 19th, the more I have thought upon it the more I am impressed with the fact of its greatness, and believe there has never been but one that was like it, and that

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