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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 369
Averell's cavalry came in the rear of Wharton, and about 2 p. m. the latter fell back to Winchester. Sheridan pressed his advantage, when Early's entire army began the retreat, which kept up until midnight, when they halted at Newtown, with Sheridan in close pursuit. The next morning Early fell back to Fisher's Hill.
    Col. Linton, who was commanding the 54th Regiment, was severely wounded in this engagement. Sheridan lost 653 killed ; 3,719 wounded, and 618 missing, making a total of 4,990. Early's losses were 5,500 with five guns and nine standards of colors. There were six companies from Johnstown in this decisive battle, namely:

Captain. Co. Regiment. Brigade. Division. Army of
Shenandoah.
54th Pa. Inf
Col. John P. Linton
Col. E. D. Yutzy
Third.
T. M. Harris
Milton Wells
First.
Jos. Thoburn
T. M. Harris
Geo. Crook.
David R. Bryan A Same Same Same Same
Geo. W. Gageby D Same Same Same Same
Bartholomew Kane E Same Same Same Same
?. B. Dunlap H Same Same Same Same
Geo. W. Camp I Same Same Same Same
Henry J. Blough K 18th Pa. Cav.
W. P. Brinton
J. W. Phillips
First.
J. B. McIntosh
G. A. Purington
Third.
J. H. Wilson.
Cavalry Corps.
Geo. Crook.

    Capt. Blough's company were transferred from the Army of the James to that of the Shenandoah Valley in August, 1864, reaching Winchester on the 17th, when Gen. Sheridan was about beginning his Valley campaign.
    Gen. Sheridan followed with Wilson's cavalry (Capt. Blough) on his left flank and Averell's on the right. On the afternoon of the 20th the 6th and 19th Corps crossed Cedar Creek. Crook's corps (54th Regiment) halted on the north bank of the creek. On the 21st Sheridan pushed through Strasburg, and Early's advance line fell back to Fisher's Hill, where he had formidable entrenchments. Sheridan sent Merritt's and Wilson's cavalry (Capt. Blough) up the Luray Valley on the east side of the Massanutton Mountain, to cross over to the west side at New Market to cut off Early's retreat. Early's right was extremely strong, too much so for a direct attack. Sheridan decided to make the assault on his left, which was accordingly done. This movement was only equaled by that of Stonewall Jackson at Chancellorsville.
    As the 54th Regiment was a part of this brilliant maneuver, being on the Opequon, we quote Gen. Sheridan, who writes:
    “In consequence of the enemy's being so well protected from a direct assault I resolved on the night of the 20th to use


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Created: 25 Mar 2003, Last Updated:
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Lynne Canterbury, Diann Olsen and contributors