Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.374

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History of Cambria County, V.2

374 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

to an eminence, took off his hat and bowed to his men, who instantly recognized their chief by cheer after cheer. That salute from Gen. Sheridan astride “Rienzi,” standing between the enemy and his front line, was enough to make his men war-mad. After he was recognized, Sheridan says : “A line of regimental flags rose up out of the ground, as it seemed, to welcome me.” They were mostly the colors of Crook's troops (54th Regiment).
    After conferring with Wright, Crook, Emory and others, and looking over the field, he approved of the formation, except that he ordered Custer's cavalry (Capt. Blough) to the extreme right. It required some time to arrange the details, but the panic-stricken men were returning and taking their places in the ranks. About 3:45 p. m. Sheridan ordered the assault, and his line moved forward as of old. With a short, crisp fight Early's line was broken and Custer swept across the meadow and down toward Cedar Creek, taking many prisoners. By this time the enemy were falling back all along the line, being closely pressed. Sheridan says : “When I reached the Valley pike Crook (54th Regiment) had reorganized his men, and as I desired that they should take part in the fight, for they were the same troops that had turned Early's flank at the Opequon and at Fisher's Hill, I ordered them to be pushed forward ; and the alacrity and celerity with which they moved on Middletown demonstrated that their ill-fortune of the morning had not sprung from lack of valor.” The enemy were routed and Gen. Early's army was broken so that it never became a factor thereafter. A few weeks thereafter Mr. Stanton wrote to the general as follows : “That for personal gallantry, military skill, and just confidence in the courage and patriotism of your troops, displayed by you on the 19th day of October at Cedar Creek, whereby, under the blessing of Providence, your routed army was reorganized, a great national disaster arrested, and a brilliant victory achieved over the rebels for the third time in pitched battle within thirty days, Philip H. Sheridan is appointed a major-general in the United States Army.”
    Sheridan's losses were : Killed 588 ; wounded, 3,516 ; missing, 1,891 ; total, 5,995 ; the aggregate for Early's army was 4,200.

Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 24, 1864.
Col. Milton Wells,
    Commanding Third Brigade.
    Colonel : In compliance with your order calling for a report

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374	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
to an eminence, took off his hat and bowed to his men, who instantly recognized their chief by cheer after cheer. That salute from Gen. Sheridan astride “Rienzi,” standing between the enemy and his front line, was enough to make his men war-mad. After he was recognized, Sheridan says : “A line of regimental flags rose up out of the ground, as it seemed, to welcome me.” They were mostly the colors of Crook's troops (54th Regiment). After conferring with Wright, Crook, Emory and others, and looking over the field, he approved of the formation, except that he ordered Custer's cavalry (Capt. Blough) to the extreme right. It required some time to arrange the details, but the panic-stricken men were returning and taking their places in the ranks. About 3:45 p. m. Sheridan ordered the assault, and his line moved forward as of old. With a short, crisp fight Early's line was broken and Custer swept across the meadow and down toward Cedar Creek, taking many prisoners. By this time the enemy were falling back all along the line, being closely pressed. Sheridan says : “When I reached the Valley pike Crook (54th Regiment) had reorganized his men, and as I desired that they should take part in the fight, for they were the same troops that had turned Early's flank at the Opequon and at Fisher's Hill, I ordered them to be pushed forward ; and the alacrity and celerity with which they moved on Middletown demonstrated that their ill-fortune of the morning had not sprung from lack of valor.” The enemy were routed and Gen. Early's army was broken so that it never became a factor thereafter. A few weeks thereafter Mr. Stanton wrote to the general as follows : “That for personal gallantry, military skill, and just confidence in the courage and patriotism of your troops, displayed by you on the 19th day of October at Cedar Creek, whereby, under the blessing of Providence, your routed army was reorganized, a great national disaster arrested, and a brilliant victory achieved over the rebels for the third time in pitched battle within thirty days, Philip H. Sheridan is appointed a major-general in the United States Army.” Sheridan's losses were : Killed 588 ; wounded, 3,516 ; missing, 1,891 ; total, 5,995 ; the aggregate for Early's army was 4,200. Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 24, 1864. Col. Milton Wells, Commanding Third Brigade. Colonel : In compliance with your order calling for a report