Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1887 — Sherudan's Ride. [ARTICLE]

Sherudan's Ride.

Sheridan had left Washington on the morning of Oct. 18,1864, by train, and passed the night at Winchester, twenty miles north of the battle-field. On thb morning of the 19th he heard the firing of cannon, and sent out to inquire the cause, but was told it came from a reconnaisance. At 9 o’clock he rode leisurely out of Winchester, not dreaming that his army was in danger. After a little he heard again the sound of heavy guns, and now he knew what it must mean. Not half a mile from Winchester he came upon the appalling marks of defeat and rout. The runaways from the battle, still in flight, had got so far as this in their terror. The trains of wagons were rushing by, horses and drivers all jn confusion, for there is no worse turmoil in this world* than the flight and wreck of a beaten army. Sheridan had never seen his men in this 1 condition before. He at once ordered the trains to be halted, and sent for a brigade of troops from Winchester; these he posted across the road to prevent further straggling. Then he called for an escort of twenty men, and directing his staff to stem the torrent as well as they could, he set off himself for the battle-field. He rode straight into the throng of fugitives, in a splendid passion of wrath and determination, spurring his horse and swinging his hat as he passed, and calling to the men: “Face the other way, boys! Face the other way!” Hundreds turned at the appeal, and followed him with cheers, for they all knew Sheridan. It was 10 o’clock before he reache.l the field. Then he rode about hurriedly, glanced at the position, and at once determined upon his course. He arranged the line of those who w T ere still unbeaten, and then went back to bring up the panic-gtricken remainder. And now his presence and personal influence told. He was in the full uniform of a major general, mounted on a magnificent black horse, man and beast covered with dust and flecked with foam; he rose again in his stirrups, he drew his sword, he waved his hat, and shouted to his soldiers: “It I had been here this never would have happened. Face the other way, boys ! We are going back!” The flying soldiers were struck with shame when they heard him shout and saw his face blazing with rage and courage and eagerness for them. They took up his cry themselves: “Face the other way!” It went on from one to another for miles—from crowd to crowd—and they obeyed the command, the swelling shout went on the surging crowd returned. They faced the other way, and along the very road which a cowering mob had taken three hours before the same men inarched with the tread of soldiers to meet the enemy. They knew now that they were led to victory.— 'St. Nicholas. "~