Confederate General Early’s fatal pause: The biggest mistake of the Civil War?

Sheridan’s Twelve-Mile Ride Saves Cedar Creek

On October 19, 1864, Union troops at Cedar Creek woke to a shock. Confederate General Jubal Early had snuck 21,000 men through fog and hit them hard.

By dawn, the Union left flank broke, with over 1,000 men caught and 20 guns lost. Meanwhile, General Philip Sheridan slept in Winchester, twelve miles north.

Once told of the fight, he jumped on his horse Rienzi and raced south. As he rode, he met scared troops running away.

Sheridan got to the field by 10:30, then did what few could – he turned a sure loss into a win. His famous ride and bold counterattack not only saved the day but helped Lincoln win a second term.

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park now marks this turning point in American history.

Early Gambled Everything on One Surprise Attack

General Jubal Early faced a tough choice on October 18, 1864. His Confederate army was starving in the Shenandoah Valley with winter coming.

He gathered his officers and gave them two options: retreat up the valley or attack the much larger Union army at Cedar Creek.

Major General John Gordon and engineer Jedediah Hotchkiss pushed for attack after they spotted a weakness in the Union position from Massanutten Mountain.

Early took their advice and risked everything to grab the Union supplies his hungry army needed.

A Hidden Path Revealed the Union’s Weak Spot

Gordon and Hotchkiss climbed Massanutten Mountain on October 18 and found what they wanted. The Union army left its left flank open, thinking the mountain kept that side safe.

Through field glasses, Gordon spotted places where Confederate troops could cross the Shenandoah River and Cedar Creek without being seen.

He quickly made a plan to lead three divisions on a night march around the mountain to hit the sleeping Union army from behind. Early approved, and they got ready for the risky night move.

Moonlit March Set the Stage for Surprise

Confederate soldiers took off their canteens and anything that might make noise on the night of October 18. Gordon led 21,000 men along a narrow mountain trail in the moonlight.

The troops moved silently as three divisions crossed a makeshift bridge at Fisher’s Hill. Soldiers waded through the cold Shenandoah River, their teeth chattering as they moved toward the Union camp.

By early morning, they stood ready to strike the open Union flank, completely unseen by enemy guards.

The Union Commander Slept Miles Away from Danger

Philip Sheridan slept comfortably in Winchester, 12 miles from his army.

He just came back from a meeting in Washington and felt sure that Early’s forces had moved far up the valley. His army camped along Cedar Creek under General Horatio Wright’s command.

Union soldiers slept soundly in their tents with few guards posted. No one expected an attack, especially from the Massanutten Mountain direction.

Everything was set for one of the war’s most shocking surprise attacks.

Morning Fog Hid the Confederate Assault

A thick fog covered Cedar Creek at 5:00 AM on October 19 when Confederate troops charged.

Gordon’s divisions crashed into the sleeping soldiers of Crook’s VIII Corps, sending them running in panic, many still in their underwear.

At the same time, Kershaw’s division hit the front of the Union line at Bowman’s Mill Ford. The surprise worked perfectly.

Union soldiers left weapons, gear, and tents as they ran.

By 7:00 AM, Confederates had caught over 1,000 prisoners and 20 cannon while pushing three Union corps back in chaos.

The Sound of Battle Reached Winchester

Guards woke Sheridan around 6:00 AM with reports of gunfire to the south. He brushed it off as a small fight and tried to go back to sleep.

But the distant thunder of guns grew louder, making Sheridan restless. By 8:30 AM, he knew something big was happening.

Sheridan quickly ate breakfast, put on his uniform, and called for his big black horse, Rienzi. At 9:00 AM, he rode out of Winchester with a small group, still not knowing his army faced disaster.

The Famous Gallop Turned Heads Along the Pike

Sheridan pushed Rienzi into a gallop down the Valley Turnpike toward Cedar Creek. As he rode south, the battle sounds grew louder and more worrying.

Soon he met the first groups of soldiers heading north, away from the fight. They told him the army was beaten and running.

Sheridan rode faster, passing more and more retreating soldiers. His presence excited the men.

Some turned around right there to follow him back toward the battle. Sheridan’s hat waved on his sword became a rally point as he thundered toward the front.

A Confederate General Begged to Keep Attacking

By 10:30 AM, Early’s attack reached its greatest success. Union forces fell back through the town of Middletown in disorder.

General Gordon saw the chance to finish them off and urged Early to continue the chase. “We have one of the greatest victories of the war,” Gordon said.

But Early, looking at his tired men who had walked all night and fought all morning, answered, “Well, Gordon, this is glory enough for one day. ” Gordon later wrote that his heart sank at these words.

The Confederates stopped to rest and take things from the captured Union camps.

“Come Up to the Front” Changed Everything

Sheridan reached the battlefield around 10:30 AM, his horse covered in foam from the hard ride. Union soldiers cheered loudly at the sight of their commander.

Sheridan shouted back, “God damn you, don’t cheer me! If you love your country, come up to the front!”

He rode up and down the lines, fixing units and placing them for a counterattack. His confidence spread through the ranks quickly.

Men who had been running away now formed into battle lines, ready to fight. Sheridan told them, “We’ll sleep in our old camps tonight!”

Four O’Clock Brought the Crushing Counterattack

Sheridan launched his counterattack at 4:00 PM with five reorganized divisions.

The Union line moved forward as one, with George Custer’s cavalry swinging around to hit the Confederate flank. Early’s troops, tired from their night march and morning battle, couldn’t stand against the fresh attack.

What started as an orderly retreat quickly turned into a rout. Union forces took back all their lost ground, equipment, and artillery.

They also grabbed most of Early’s guns and wagons as Confederate soldiers ran in panic up the valley.

Lincoln Won the White House Thanks to Cedar Creek

News of Sheridan’s dramatic ride and victory reached Northern newspapers just three weeks before the November presidential election. The stunning turnaround transformed public opinion about the war.

Lincoln, who had feared defeat against Democrat George McClellan, saw his campaign gain unstoppable momentum. Poems and songs about “Sheridan’s Ride” spread across the North.

The victory eliminated the Confederate threat in the vital Shenandoah Valley for good.

Lincoln won in a landslide, and Sheridan became a national hero whose 12-mile ride helped save both a battle and a presidency.

Visiting Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, Virginia

You can explore Sheridan’s famous ride at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park in Middletown. Start at the NPS Visitor Center on 7712 Main Street to watch an 18-minute battle map show.

Take the self-guided 17. 5-mile driving tour with 9 stops following the Confederate attack and Union counterattack.

Tour Belle Grove Manor House for $10 or explore the grounds free.

Find the Virginia marker at Rienzi Knoll Lane where Sheridan’s ride ended, plus hike the 19th Corps Entrenchment Trail.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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